Win2000Pro won't boot - No Paging File

[Joe]

SYMPTOMS (FROM MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE)
"After you try to log on to your Windows 2000-based
computer by using a valid user name and password, the
Loading your personal settings dialog box is displayed,
followed by the Saving your settings dialog box. However,
the desktop does not appear, and the Welcome to Windows
logon screen is displayed again.

NOTE: If the paging file is located on the system or boot
partition, you may also receive the following warning
message before returning to the "Welcome to Windows" logon
screen:
[Limited Virtual Memory]
Your system has no paging file, or the paging file is too
small."

This problem occurred after trying to install a new
Western Digital hard drive. The installation process
failed shortly after starting the process of coping the
old drive (a 60GB WD) to the new drive (a 250GB WD).

After the process failed I ran Norton System Works / Find
and Fix Windows Problems. This showed several shortcut
errors pointing to the new drive being installed. Since
the isstallation failed I deleted the shortcuts. I believe
this was a mistake. I now think that one of the shortcuts
was pointing to the PAGING FILE and that's why I am
getting the above message.

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 249321 addresses this
issue and can be found at the following link:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;249321

RESOLUTION (again from MS KB)
"NOTE: If the computer is networked but not part of a
domain, you may need to map a connection to the machines
IPC$ share using that computer's local administrator
credentials before being able to attach using Regedit.exe
or Regedt32.exe as described below to make changes.

To permit a logon and/or change the boot volume drive
letter back to its originally assigned letter, use any of
the following methods:
net use \\remote_machine_name\IPC$ /user:administrator *"

HERE'S THE PROBLEM
I am unable to logon using the above reference NET USE
command from my other computer, running Windows 98SE, that
is setup on a wireless network in my home. I get the
following error message:
"The computer or sharename could not be found. Make sure
you typed it correctly, and try again."

I have tried several variations in Map Network Drive (the
computer does show up on the network as Joe). There is no
password.

Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /user:administrator *
Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /user:administrator
Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /administrator *
Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /administrator
Net use \\JOE\IPC$


I have tried to enter in SAFE MODE with the same results
as normal mode. How do I get in to this computer to edit
the Registry?

 

[dcdon]

Hi Joe,

Can you boot to Safe Mode?
On POST tap the F8 key; should get you in. If you can not get into Safe
Mode...
Boot and tap the "delete key" to get into BIOS
in the BIOS change the "first boot device" from Floppy to CD-ROM
Place your W2K OS CD into the tray
F10 out of the BIOS and reboot
At POST start tapping the spacebar (really any key will do)
This should get the CD to load you Boot Disk files
At the end of that, You are given the choice of pressing "R" for repair,
or press "enter" for Setup, choose SetUp
After a couple of questions you will be asked if you want to go ahead with a
new install or "R" for repair
This time choose "repair"
After a couple of straight forward questions,
You will need your CDKey Code
When you have finished and can reboot, let's see if we get cranked up now.
First thing, if you can get to the internet is to go to www.belarc.com
d/l Belarc Advisor. Install it. It will give invaluable information, like
all of your Hotpatches and if they work, all of your hardware, all of your
software, your CD Key Code, your I.E. Key Code, and more (and for private
use, it's free for now)

Your pagefile should show okay, but if you need to fix it, I am giving you
the whole enchalota(sp?) next


You must have Administrator privileges to complete this.
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Completely from memory. I bare no responsibility whatsoever. Proceed at your
own risk.

=========

One cause is deleting "everyone" from users and there have been so many
infections around, some believe it could be something on that order recently
causing problems with "pagefile.sys" and also with Event Viewer, and that
may not be all of it. Better to learn the basics of Safe Computing Systems,
for lack of a better term. That word is a little like "fair", which is not
subjective at all.(In the mind of the beholder). I'll tell you a couple of
those issues that make up only a part of a well rounded program at the end.
Try to read all three Event Viewer files, whenever you get back up.

First, we'll deal with getting you going. That's a new "pagefile" first.

Since you're having trouble even getting booted, we'll boot into Safe Mode,
and then create the "pagefile.sys" file. You would do well to print this, or
to at least copy and paste the "How to" parts in your word processor for
printing that. Here we go.

Boot into Safe Mode

1.) On start up, put finger on the F8 key.
2.) Read all the posting screens, press F8 when indicated(hint start
bar).
3.) Safe Mode is your top choice.

If there is anything you don't understand, read the Help file. Type Safe
Mode in the index tab. Print it. If you miss it, pressing CAD
(Ctrl+Alt+Delete) will start the boot sequence over. But do it before it
gets to the Splash Screen(first Win Screen)

=========

To build a "pagefile.sys", you'll need to edit the registry, so be very
deliberate when you do this. You may want to back up the area that you're
going to be working with to your Desktop for simplicity sake, and the way
desktops are intended to be used. I'll explain that when I get there.


Add "system" (NTAUTHORITY\SYSTEM) as a user with "full control" rights to
the local drive.

Click on Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Click
Computer Management
| click Logical Drives>highlight %windir% (c:\ usually) drive in the
right pane>on the Menu bar click Action>click Properties
| click Security tab>click the Add. button>scroll down and highlight
(click on) SYSTEM>click the Add button
| close OK button
| on the Properties Window(verify top left corner of window) highlight
SYSTEM>click Advanced button
| highlight SYSTEM (click on it)>click View/Edit|checkmark "all" the
Allow boxes (full control) > click OK
| click OK
| click OK
| close Computer Management window.

Now wasn't that simple? Remember, when you get through creating your
pagefile, remove SYSTEM as a user.

To do that get to the last box>highlight SYSTEM>click "remove"
button>back out with OK (all) and close the Computer Management Console.

(And your just getting started.)

--------------

Next "search" (for files and folders) That's Start button>Search>files and
folders...
search for "temppf.sys" & "pagefile.sys". Look at and record the path.
They are both protected operating system hidden files, so let's make them
visible...

To Show "hidden files" and show file extensions of file types...

Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Folder Options
Click the View tab > click the bullet mark "Show hidden files and folders"
Uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types"
Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended"
(you'll get a squawk, but click 'yes')




--------------

Backing up the Registry (parts only)

Use the Help file and type "registry"
double click "backing up... "
make an ERD(takes one clean, formatted 3 1/2" floppy)
and you can make full back with those instructions also.
Save it wherever you can find it, and it's out of the way,
preferably in a folder of it's on.


--------------

Creating a pagefile.sys (while system only a temporary pagefile)

Click Start>Run...>type Regedt32, enter|click HKLM>on Menu bar click
Window>click Cascade
double-click on System>Current Control Set>Control>Session Manager>click
Memory Management
in the right pane click on > click on "PagingFiles : REG_MULTI_SZ :
C:\pagefile.sys 3000 3000 ..."(w/o quotes)
the first 3000 is the initial size, the 2nd 3000 is the max (mine is 3gig)
on the Menu bar click Edit>choose/click Multi String...
type in exactly where you want it to go. It can go in "C:\winnt\pagefile.sys
3000 3000" or "C:\pagefile.sys 500 500" if it was in the root, you can leave
it there. Either is okay.
click OK > exit the registry

Before you leave, you can find the temporary pagefile by clicking Session
Manager and looking in the right pane for "temppf.sys". That's because it
won't be there after you restart, Hopefully.
Close the registry, and don't worry about collapsing the tree on HKLM.

--------------

Let's see if we can boot, now. You have a pagefile.sys.
If you want, you can go back to the view folder and undo all, but I would
wait for now. I have a feeling this ain't. I don't see no fat lady singing.
Just an expression.

=========

I have created new Event Viewer file. Mine could no longer be seen. App
could the first time you went to it, but if I looked in System, "nada", and
went back to Apps "nada". CORRUPTED. I can tell you how to do this, if you
need it. You are welcome to email me. To do that need to "u n z i p i t".

=========

Basic Tips of good Computer Management.

Always have and ERD and backup data and other important files (Address
Book(s), Favorites, Preferences for apps (you have to find them), settings
for dial-up, passwords, write down your desktop preferences as you do them,
sound file, fonts, and many other things.

Another very important thing is to keep a notebook and write down a log of
things you first learn, so you can get back there and also to learn it.

Last, but not least is to go to www.spychecker.com and take a look at some
of the programs you can get (many are free)
I recommend you have a Firewall (Zone Alarm has a free; Pro is great), n AVP
(grisoft has a free one), Ad-Aware, SpyBot S&D(checkem' out), they have a
free version.

==========


good computing,
don
------

I didn't have time to go back and edit through this, so I hope it makes
complete sense.

I not, let me know and I'll try to get you fixed up.




SYMPTOMS (FROM MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE)
"After you try to log on to your Windows 2000-based
computer by using a valid user name and password, the
Loading your personal settings dialog box is displayed,
followed by the Saving your settings dialog box. However,
the desktop does not appear, and the Welcome to Windows
logon screen is displayed again.

NOTE: If the paging file is located on the system or boot
partition, you may also receive the following warning
message before returning to the "Welcome to Windows" logon
screen:
[Limited Virtual Memory]
Your system has no paging file, or the paging file is too
small."

This problem occurred after trying to install a new
Western Digital hard drive. The installation process
failed shortly after starting the process of coping the
old drive (a 60GB WD) to the new drive (a 250GB WD).

After the process failed I ran Norton System Works / Find
and Fix Windows Problems. This showed several shortcut
errors pointing to the new drive being installed. Since
the isstallation failed I deleted the shortcuts. I believe
this was a mistake. I now think that one of the shortcuts
was pointing to the PAGING FILE and that's why I am
getting the above message.

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 249321 addresses this
issue and can be found at the following link:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;249321

RESOLUTION (again from MS KB)
"NOTE: If the computer is networked but not part of a
domain, you may need to map a connection to the machines
IPC$ share using that computer's local administrator
credentials before being able to attach using Regedit.exe
or Regedt32.exe as described below to make changes.

To permit a logon and/or change the boot volume drive
letter back to its originally assigned letter, use any of
the following methods:
net use \\remote_machine_name\IPC$ /user:administrator *"

HERE'S THE PROBLEM
I am unable to logon using the above reference NET USE
command from my other computer, running Windows 98SE, that
is setup on a wireless network in my home. I get the
following error message:
"The computer or sharename could not be found. Make sure
you typed it correctly, and try again."

I have tried several variations in Map Network Drive (the
computer does show up on the network as Joe). There is no
password.

Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /user:administrator *
Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /user:administrator
Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /administrator *
Net use \\JOE\IPC$ /administrator
Net use \\JOE\IPC$


I have tried to enter in SAFE MODE with the same results
as normal mode. How do I get in to this computer to edit
the Registry?