how to delete a corrupted page file on an ntfs partition?

[Guest]

pagefile.sys is corrupted since it is fixed a 2GB whatever setting (no page
file, system managed...). I choose in the virtual memory panel. I can't
changed its size and would like to delete it so windows xp (sp2) can recreate
a new correct one.

the purge at shutdown does not work too and I don't know the password for
the recovery console under the DOS. I am looking for a simple solution to
delete this file which is on an ntfs partition.

many thanks,
chris90

 

[Kerry Brown]

pagefile.sys is corrupted since it is fixed a 2GB whatever setting (no
page
file, system managed...). I choose in the virtual memory panel. I can't
changed its size and would like to delete it so windows xp (sp2) can
recreate
a new correct one.

the purge at shutdown does not work too and I don't know the password for
the recovery console under the DOS. I am looking for a simple solution to
delete this file which is on an ntfs partition.

Open a Command Prompt and type "chkdks /f" without the quotations. You will
have to allow it to run at the next reboot. Reboot your computer and see if
this fixes the problem. As always when running a program that may change the
state of your disk make sure you have a current backup before proceeding.

Kerry

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

I recommend you study Alex Nichol's article on Virtual Memory.
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm

This is just a quick snippet from Alex's article. Please do read the entire article, especially the sections "Problems with Virtual Memory" and "How big should the Page file be?"

<quote>
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.
</end quote>

If needed, do these tweaks while in Safe Mode of XP.

Recovery Console is a specialized mode of XP intended for limited tasks, mainly fixes. It is not DOS.
Use Administrator as the login account. If no password was set during setup of XP, press the TAB key to skip that field. If no go, press Enter.

In honor & memory of Alex Nichol http://aumha.org/alex.php

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

imho, a CHKDSK will not fix a corrupted Pagefile. It most likely has to be removed then recreated by tweaking Virtual Memory settings.

 

[Chas]

Open a Command Prompt and type "chkdks /f" without the quotations. You
will have to allow it to run at the next reboot. Reboot your computer and
see if this fixes the problem. As always when running a program that may
change the state of your disk make sure you have a current backup before
proceeding.

Kerry

Hi
Correction to the above
it Should be "chkdsk /f" without the quotations
Chas

 

[Kerry Brown]

imho, a CHKDSK will not fix a corrupted Pagefile. It most likely has to be
removed then recreated by tweaking Virtual Memory settings.

Reading between the lines of the original post it sounds like this has
already been tried.

Kerry

 

[Guest]

problem is how do you delete pagefile.sys. even in safe mode windows will not
allow it. I knew alex's article but I wonder how does he delete it?

chris90

 

[Guest]

I've done some additional testing. I've left only 200MB free on C and the
page file is then reduced to 170MB. If I leave 800MB then it becomes 770MB.
If I leave 4GB then it goes back to 2GB. Whatever I do I've no control on its
size with the custom size option (that I usually fix to 128MB since I've 2GB
of RAM). Even with the "purge on shutdown" enabled in the registry.

I am running out of ideas...
Chris90

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

If you use custom size, put in your minimum number, and for the maximum set it to a very large value like 2000 MB.

Do NOT let your space on system drive go anywhere nears (or less) to 200 MB because you'll also have other issues. System Restore stops saving restore points when free space goes less than 200 MB.

Free up space on your HD.

 

[Brian Cryer]

XP allows you to run without a page file. Try setting it to "No paging
file", reboot and see if you can delete it (as per the instructions in
Maurice's posting).

Brian.

 

[Guest]

when I set it to no paging file and reboot the pagefile.sys disappears so
there's nothing to delete (anyway I still haven't found how to delete it).
when I choose a fixed custom size of let's say 512mb it goes back at 2gb.

It's crazy!

 

[Brian Cryer]

At least I understand your problem now ... out of ideas though

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Ch90,

Do not set the initial size value the same as minimum. Do not leave the maximum value empty.
Set the initial size to a value you find appropriate for your system's typical needs. But the maximum value needs to be very high.
What values did you use?

Here's a range for you to try : Initial size 80 , Maximum 2500 , using the Custom size option.

 

[Guest]

maurice,
it is getting weirder and weirder. now the pagefile is either 512mb or 0mb!
when I boot it is 512mb as it should be in custome size (min=max) and the
next boot it becomes 0mb, next boot is goes back to 512mb, etc.

thus I've created additional pagefiles on other partitions and will delete
it completely from C even if I don't like it.

oh boy what a joy!
chris90

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Chris,
By making minimum = maximum, you're basically going against Alex's advice. And in this case, it should be reserving 512MB of space for Pagefile.sys each time. Where do you see 0 size?

From what you have described, the 512MB at boot is just exactly what you set it for.

Back to my suggestion & Alex's article as well, the suggestion is to have the Pagefile set to grow dynamically. Set it for as small as needed, and give it a high ceiling for maximum --- all depending on amount of physical RAM, typical-programs load & historical usage of VM. Example on a moderate-usage system with 384MB Ram: initial pagefile = 70MB, maximum = 900 MB. Pagefile typically remains at 70MB.

 

[Leythos]

Chris,
By making minimum = maximum, you're basically going against Alex's advice. And in this case, it should be reserving 512MB of space for Pagefile.sys each time. Where do you see 0 size?

From what you have described, the 512MB at boot is just exactly what you set it for.

Back to my suggestion & Alex's article as well, the suggestion is to have the Pagefile set to grow dynamically. Set it for as small as needed, and give it a high ceiling for maximum --- all depending on amount of physical RAM, typical-programs load & historical usage of VM. Example on a moderate-usage system with 384MB Ram: initial pagefile = 70MB, maximum = 900 MB. Pagefile typically remains at 70MB.

I do the fixed sizes in order to have the page size already created and
not have to PAUSE while it would normally increase as needed.

I have 1.5GB RAM in my laptop, page file is set to 1GB Min and Max.

I do the same on servers and workstations and have seen a difference in
performance when using memory intensive apps that exceed the physical
memory size. I never set it below 1gb and not above 2gb.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Leythos,

With your amount of physical RAM, that is perfectly fine.