File MEMORY.DMP?

[Dave Gillingham]

In my Windows directory I have a file MEMORY.DMP sized 0.99GB. What is it, and
what is its implication? Can I delete it safely?
Dave Gillingham

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Dave,

A memory.dmp file is created when there is a system failure (commonly known
as a blue screen or stop error). You can safely delete the file if you have
no need for diagnosing any recent errors. You can change the type of file
created in the Control Panel/System applet/Advanced tab/Startup and Recovery
settings. Here you can choose from small kernel dumps to full memory dumps.
This also has an effect on the initial size of your pagefile as well, as the
initial size of the pagefile must at least equal the physical ram for the
core dumps.

A dump file contains the code that was in use when the system crashed. With
the proper tools and knowledge it can be taken apart and analyzed and often
can indicate what the source of the problem was.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Dave Gillingham]

Thanks very much, Rick.

Hi Dave,

A memory.dmp file is created when there is a system failure (commonly known
as a blue screen or stop error). You can safely delete the file if you have
no need for diagnosing any recent errors. You can change the type of file
created in the Control Panel/System applet/Advanced tab/Startup and Recovery
settings. Here you can choose from small kernel dumps to full memory dumps.
This also has an effect on the initial size of your pagefile as well, as the
initial size of the pagefile must at least equal the physical ram for the
core dumps.

A dump file contains the code that was in use when the system crashed. With
the proper tools and knowledge it can be taken apart and analyzed and often
can indicate what the source of the problem was.

Dave Gillingham