Corrupt Pagefile.sys -- HELP!!!

[Ed Kemper]

I'm working on a client's PC, a Dell Dimension 8200, that was infected with
viruses and spyware. I removed all that stuff but was still left with a
problem on bootup that apparently many, many people have been plagued with.
After clicking on a user (any user) to log on to Windows XP (Home Edition) I
get this message:

"Limited Virtual Memory
Your system has no paging file, or the paging file is too small.

To fix this problem, go to System in Control Panel, click the Advanced tab,
and under Performance, click Settings. On the Advanced tab, click Change.
Click 'Custom size,' and then type an initial or maximum paging file size."

When I try to view the configuration settings for the paging file by following
the instructions in the error message, I get this:

"Windows created a temporary paging file on your computer because of a problem
that occurred with your paging file configuration when you started your
computer. The total paging file size for all disk drives may be somewhat
larger than the size you specified."

Of course, the changes I make there don't work and it's an endless loop.

I tried EVERYTHING in the MS KnowledgeBase as well as the Dell KnowledgeBase.
In frustration, I edited the registry and changed the location of the pagefile
to C:\WINDOWS instead of the root C:\ and VOILA! - I could boot into Windows
with no error message and an active paging file.

The problem is that the old PAGEFILE.SYS is STILL on the root directory and
was spotted by F-Prot anti-virus as an infected file, but could not delete it
because it said the file was in use, even though the current pagefile settings
pointed to a different directory. I booted to the Recovery Console and tried
to delete the file by copying boot.ini to pagefile.sys, but I get "Access is
denied." Next I set the system to no virtual memory and tried the same
procedure - no dice.

So -- Can ANYBODY please tell me how to get rid of this damn file?

Many, many thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[mmac]

I had another file that had that access denied problem but the machine was
XP pro on a domain so this might not help but anyway...
I had to "take ownership" of the file before I could delete it. "Take
ownership" was in the advanced properties of the security tab of the file's
properties. I don't know what owned the file beforehand but this worked. You
might have to boot to safe mode but there it is FWIW.

 

[Ed Kemper]

Can't see the file in Windows, even in safe mode.

Is there a way to "take ownership" from the recovery console?

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[=?iso-8859-1?B?uyBtcnRlZSCr?=]

Sounds like a problem with IAA (Intel Application Accelerator), have you been here; System Has No Paging File, or the Paging File Is Too Small" Error Message After Windows XP Upgrade http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316528. The solution is to uninstall IAA » set the page file » reboot » reinstall IAA.

--
Just my 2¢ worth,
Jeff
__________In response to__________
| I'm working on a client's PC, a Dell Dimension 8200, that was infected with
| viruses and spyware. I removed all that stuff but was still left with a
| problem on bootup that apparently many, many people have been plagued with.
| After clicking on a user (any user) to log on to Windows XP (Home Edition) I
| get this message:
|
| "Limited Virtual Memory
| Your system has no paging file, or the paging file is too small.
|
| To fix this problem, go to System in Control Panel, click the Advanced tab,
| and under Performance, click Settings. On the Advanced tab, click Change.
| Click 'Custom size,' and then type an initial or maximum paging file size."
|
| When I try to view the configuration settings for the paging file by following
| the instructions in the error message, I get this:
|
| "Windows created a temporary paging file on your computer because of a problem
| that occurred with your paging file configuration when you started your
| computer. The total paging file size for all disk drives may be somewhat
| larger than the size you specified."
|
| Of course, the changes I make there don't work and it's an endless loop.
|
| I tried EVERYTHING in the MS KnowledgeBase as well as the Dell KnowledgeBase.
| In frustration, I edited the registry and changed the location of the pagefile
| to C:\WINDOWS instead of the root C:\ and VOILA! - I could boot into Windows
| with no error message and an active paging file.
|
| The problem is that the old PAGEFILE.SYS is STILL on the root directory and
| was spotted by F-Prot anti-virus as an infected file, but could not delete it
| because it said the file was in use, even though the current pagefile settings
| pointed to a different directory. I booted to the Recovery Console and tried
| to delete the file by copying boot.ini to pagefile.sys, but I get "Access is
| denied." Next I set the system to no virtual memory and tried the same
| procedure - no dice.
|
| So -- Can ANYBODY please tell me how to get rid of this damn file?
|
| Many, many thanks in advance for any advice!
|

 

[Ed Kemper]

I tried that a couple of days ago. Uninstalled IAA, installed the Intel
Software Installation Utility, reinstalled IAA, set page file, rebooted --
still no good.

Thanks anyways!

 

[R. McCarty]

If it (Pagefile.Sys) is disjointed/orphaned then open a command
prompt. From the CP, Change Dir (w/ .. [Enter] to reach the root
of Drive C: then type Attrib -h -r -s -a Pagefile.Sys Once the
attributes are removed, then it should be possible to simply delete
pagefile.sys from the command prompt.

 

[Alex Nichol]

The problem is that the old PAGEFILE.SYS is STILL on the root directory and
was spotted by F-Prot anti-virus as an infected file, but could not delete it
because it said the file was in use, even though the current pagefile settings
pointed to a different directory. I booted to the Recovery Console and tried
to delete the file by copying boot.ini to pagefile.sys, but I get "Access is
denied." Next I set the system to no virtual memory and tried the same
procedure - no dice.

Boot, hitting F8 as soon as preliminary Dell logos have gone to a black
screen, well before the Windows Flag shows.

From the Menu
take
Safe Mode - Command Prompt only.

In that
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\pagefile.sys
DEL C:\pagefile.sys

(and repeat on any other hard disk partitions you have).

And consult the Problems section at my page
www.aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm
This sounds rather like the one of System not having full control of the
drive

 

[mmac]

Alex,
I tried that on the file I had to delete and it didn't work, even in safe
mode. Apparently security still works there too. I had to take ownership
first before I could do anything with it so that still may be a factor.

 

[Guest]

Hey Ed

Just to let you know you are not alone - I am in exactly the same boat!
And have run out of options - don't know what else to try

 

[Ribeiro]

Hey Ed

Just to let you know you are not alone - I am in exactly the same boat!
And have run out of options - don't know what else to try



:

You could make a winUBCD (http://ubcd4win.com) boot cd.
Boot the pc with this cd and you can delete ANY file on your C: drive.
This cd also has lots of others uses, check it out.

Regards,
Ribeiro