How do I see pagefile.sys?

D

DS

Hi

I have an error most times I log on. Searching the net, it seems like I need
to set the system to 'no paging file' then delete pagefile.sys. The problem
is that I cant see pagefile.sys! I have tried setting my folder options to
view hidden and system files but non are shown. If I do a dir /ah c: then I
can see it, but cant do anything with it. Searching for it doesn't work
either.

Any ideas?

Thanks
D
 
G

Guest

DS said:
Hi

I have an error most times I log on. Searching the net, it seems like I need
to set the system to 'no paging file' then delete pagefile.sys. The problem
is that I cant see pagefile.sys! I have tried setting my folder options to
view hidden and system files but non are shown. If I do a dir /ah c: then I
can see it, but cant do anything with it. Searching for it doesn't work
either.

Any ideas?

Thanks
D

How to disable "clear pagefile at shutdown".


When you shutdown your Windows XP computer, it may take more time to
complete the shutdown process. Slow shutdowns are caused by a number of
factors. One of the common cause is the 'Clear Pagefile at Shutdown' option
enabled.
Virtual memory support uses a system pagefile to swap pages of memory to
disk when they are not used. On a running system, this pagefile is opened
exclusively by the operating system, and it is well protected. However,
systems that are configured to allow booting to other operating systems might
have to make sure that the system pagefile is wiped clean when this system
shuts down. This ensures that sensitive information from process memory that
might go into the pagefile is not available to an unauthorized user who
manages to directly access the pagefile.
When this option is enabled, it causes the system pagefile to be cleared
upon clean shutdown. This takes considerable time of the Operating System to
flush-out the pagefile, thus causing the slow shutdown. You may disable
ClearPageFileAtShutdown option to improve shutdown times. But the
pagefile.sys will be intact and accessible via other Operating System, in
case or dual or multi-boot.
Start Registry Editor [Regedit.exe] and navigate to the following key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory
Management]

Set ClearPageFileAtShutdown value to 0
Or, using Group Policy Editor [for Windows XP Professional]
Click Start, Run and type "Secpol.msc"
Click Local Policies | Security Options
In the right-pane, set Shutdown: Clear virtual memory pagefile to Disabled

However, this setting is not the only cause for slow shutdowns.
Non-responsive programs and Services also contribute to slow shutdowns.
Lowering the WaitToKillServiceTimeOut may help may help as well.

The WaitToKillServiceTimeout value name in the registry allows you to
specify a length of time that the service control manager must wait for
services to complete the shut-down request. Open Registry Editor and navigate
to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet
\Control
\WaitToKillServiceTimeout
Backup your registry first, as explained here. Then, reduce the Service
timeout value (default being 20000ms) to your preference.

Similarly, set the AutoEndTasks to 1 in the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
\Control Panel
\Desktop
AutoEndTasks value determines whether user processes end automatically when
the user either logs off or shuts down Windows 2000/XP.
By doing the above [previous two steps], we're forcibly killing a
non-responsive application or service. On the other hand, troubleshooting the
application may also be necessary
 
D

DS

But that link actually says:

'The page file has become corrupt, possibly at a bad shutdown. In the
Virtual Memory settings, set to "No page file," then exit System Properties,
shut down the machine, and reboot. Delete PAGEFILE.SYS (on each drive, if
more than just C:), set the page file up again and reboot to bring it into
use.'

Which is exactly what i am trying to do! ;)

D
 
A

Alex Nichol

DS said:
I have an error most times I log on. Searching the net, it seems like I need
to set the system to 'no paging file' then delete pagefile.sys. The problem
is that I cant see pagefile.sys! I have tried setting my folder options to
view hidden and system files but non are shown.

Also not to Hide Protected mode system files.

Then set to no page file, reboot (ignoring warnings) look for the file
and delete it, restore the settings to have a file (System managed in
the first instance) and reboot again
 

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