Cannot Set Custom Size for PageFile

[Paul]

I need some help here. I have Windows Vista Home Premium. When I go into
the Performance Tab it says that my page file is 2217 but recommends 2875.
So, I went and tried to set a pagefile size of 3092.

It sets fine, but after a couple of reboots I go in and it tells me that I
have no pagefile. I don't get an error message, just see this when I go to
the Performance tab.

I have worked around it by editing the registry, the key Existingpagefiles
has a bunch of gibberish...lots of invalid characters. When I have the
system manage the pagefile, I get the normal \??\c:\pagefile.sys...setting my
own gives me crazy stuff after second reboot a lot of chinese/japanese
characters before the \??\c:\pagefile.sys.

I have completely restored my system and this didn't work. So, it isn't
like my registry is corrupt...I can reproduce this problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

 

[Yves C.]

Hi Paul,

Had similar issues and I'm not an expert with recent systems...!

First, reset it to auto mode (let windows decide). Note: If ever you change
your memory you must reset it that way before, else you will crash and wont
be able to start windows, will go into a loop (I'm running x32). Reboot, make
sure system is stable, registry restored to original or scanned-cleaned. Once
done, go back and look at the suggested or recommended size; select manual,
and enter this amount as the minimum size and for the maximum size, double or
triple it, make sure that "no page file" is selected by accident. The minimum
default size of a page file is noramally the amount of ram you have plus 300
Mb approx - the one in use when windows decides (auto mode). Hope this help.

 

[Paul]

Yves,

Thanks for the reply. I tried all of this, it is just that I set it and
then after 2 reboots, the system says I have no pagefile. After the first
reboot, everything is fine and it sets the pagefile to what I have asked.

The existingpagefiles key in the registry will look normal
\??\c:\pagefile.sys

I can also see the key that says what the setting is and it is what I set.

I then do a second reboot. Now, the system says no pagefile. The
existingpagefiles key says gibberish\??\c:\pagefile.sys

The registry still has that I set it to my custom settings...but the
pagefile doesn't exist as far as the Performance tab says.

If I clear out the gibberish\??\ and just leave the pagefile.sys, then I
won't have a problem and can use my pagefile.

I am now at a loss as to why this is happening. FWIW, I set the minimum and
maximum to 3092...but have also tried 2875/3092 and got the same result.

Paul

 

[Yves C.]

Hi Paul,

I'm assuming your system is balanced. I'm also running Vista HP x32 and all
is fine actually (2G mem DC). Can't add more here else than I also had
problems upgrading the memory from 2G to 4G within less than a year span
approx.

 

[Paul]

Yves,

Yep. I have Vista HP x32 on an HP Pavilion Slimline. I upgraded to 2GB of
memory. Everything else seems to work fine, it is just this weird thing with
setting to pagefile to what I want it to be.

Paul

 

[bomb#20]

I need some help here. I have Windows Vista Home Premium. When I go
into the Performance Tab it says that my page file is 2217 but
recommends 2875. So, I went and tried to set a pagefile size of 3092.

It sets fine, but after a couple of reboots I go in and it tells me
that I have no pagefile. I don't get an error message, just see this
when I go to the Performance tab.

I have worked around it by editing the registry, the key
Existingpagefiles has a bunch of gibberish...lots of invalid
characters. When I have the system manage the pagefile, I get the
normal \??\c:\pagefile.sys...setting my own gives me crazy stuff
after second reboot a lot of chinese/japanese characters before the
\??\c:\pagefile.sys.

I have completely restored my system and this didn't work. So, it
isn't like my registry is corrupt...I can reproduce this problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

So what is your exact problem ?
You get no error messages, it sounds like the system works ok
but you keep looking for trouble by editing " a bunch of gibberish "
in the registry . How do you know it is gibberish?
..

 

[bomb#20]

Hi Paul,

I'm assuming your system is balanced. I'm also running Vista HP x32
and all is fine actually (2G mem DC). Can't add more here else than I
also had problems upgrading the memory from 2G to 4G within less than
a year span approx.

Can you advise me how to " balance " my system?
..

 

[Paul]

Because...I lose the pagefile. That is if I go into the Performance tab it
tells me my computer has no pagefile. Even though I set it to a custom size.


I am not looking for problems...I found a workaround that prevents me from
losing my pagefile on reboot. However, it is manual and is not acting as it
should. Once I set the pagefile, the system should remember the settings no
matter how many reboots I do.

 

[CB]

Because...I lose the pagefile. That is if I go into the Performance tab it
tells me my computer has no pagefile. Even though I set it to a custom size.


I am not looking for problems...I found a workaround that prevents me from
losing my pagefile on reboot. However, it is manual and is not acting as it
should. Once I set the pagefile, the system should remember the settings no
matter how many reboots I do.

Paul,

Have you tried an elevated command prompt using sfc /scannow? Have you
tried running an elevated command prompt using chkdsk? Have you tried running
your installation disk and doing a repair?

I don't know if any of these methods will help you. Perhaps someone
else in these forums knows the answer.

You may want to look here and see if anything is helpful:
forums.majorgeeks.com/archive/index.php/index.php?t-115595.html
Have a nice day.

C.B.