Low Virtual Memory Startup Error and Lockup

[Tommy]

Hi,

Out of the blue, a XP/PRO box started to popup:

Your system is low on virtual memory. Windows is increasing
the size of your virtual memory paging file. During this
process, memory requests for some applications may be denied.
For more information, see Help.

Clicking OK, does nothing. Nothing can be started. Mouse was active.

By lockup, I mean, nothing is happening, although the mouse is active
and I mode the error dialog box around.

After rebooting, the XP logo appears, you get the clear blue screen as
it appears to begin the desktop (or login page) then it popups the
error again. Clicking OK, nothing happens even after repeating the
reboot and waiting hours.

We tried other the following:

1) Ran XP CD install -> Repair

Same thing

2) Tried under SAFE mode, here you get to the special black screen
safe screen with indicators in all four corners of the screen, when
the popup appears and locks up.

3) Using a BART PE CD, I ran CHKDSK /F on the two partitions C: and
D: (Windows is on C) and it all came back very quickly with no errors.

4) Under BART, I explored all the temporary files, cleared up, and
even deleted the C:\PAGEFILE.SYS after speaking with a friend is the
IT manager of a major franchise corporation (AKA, he knows Windows
administration). He indicated this happens all the time and he
suggested to delete page file and also provided a Registry option to
delete the page file at startup. However, since we couldn't get to the
registry "hive" from BART, that operation was not possible.

But the deleting of the pagefile.sys should of worked according to my
friend. On startup, windows does recreate the pagefile.sys, but then
the same popup error and lockup occurs.

That is where I am at with this.

All web references to this show help but that assumes that you can get
past the popup error to the desktop. Here, nothing happens.

Short of a complete re-installation of Windows, is there any other
solution I can try?

Thanks in Advance

PS: Some details:

- BOX is a P4, 2.0 ghz, 256 MB ram
- 80 GIG Seagate Drive, evenly split partition as C:, D:
- Windows XP/Pro purchased at Office Max.
- Installed earlier this year.
- Windows installed on Drive C:
- Windows XP/PRO, SP3, Genuine Activated.

--

 

[Leonard Grey]

Malicious software ("malware") could be installed on your computer.

Make sure that your anti-malware software is running, then download the
latest signatures and run a full scan.

If you don't have comprehensive anti-malware software, that's like
driving a car without seats belts or air bags. 'Comprehensive'
anti-malware software scans for all types of malicious software in the
background, on demand and on schedule

For now try scanning your system with /several/ of the better online
scanners, such as:
Kaspersky Antivirus (http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner)
Panda ActiveScan (http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan)

Download HijackThis from www.trendsecure.com. Run it, save a log, and
post the log at one of the many sites that support HJT, such as
spywarewarrior.com, bleepingcomputer.com, and http://aumha.net -- but
not here. Within a day you'll have step-by-step advice from an expert on
cleaning up any malware infestations.

Even the best detection and removal software can't fix every malware
infection. If none of the above remove the infection, you may want to
show the computer to a professional. You might need to erase your hard
drive and start over.

 

[Tommy]

True, but if you don't drive a car, then you don't have to worry about
that. (This is a isolated PC, not on the Net).

Thanks for your comment.

==

 

[mo]

Malicious software ("malware") could be installed on your computer.

Make sure that your anti-malware software is running, then download the
latest signatures and run a full scan.
Even the best detection and removal software can't fix every malware
infection. If none of the above remove the infection, you may want to
show the computer to a professional. You might need to erase your hard
drive and start over.

I suddenly had the same problem yesterday. You can't check software or scan
anything if windows never gets to the menu (in regular or safe mode) because
of this "low virtual memory" issue.

 

[Gerry]

Tommy

You can transfer malware by means other than the internet.

How much RAM?

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[db.·.. >]

boot into safemode.

then set your pagefile
to a custom/fixed size
with initial = 2 and the
max = 750

also make sure you
have only on pagefile.

incidentally, you stated
having only 256 megs
of ram.

unfortunately, this amount
is too low.

i would recommend adding
another chip with 512 megs
or even a 1 gig chip.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

 

[Tommy]

I suddenly had the same problem yesterday.

Get out of town!!

You can't check software or scan anything if windows never gets to
the menu (in regular or safe mode) because of this "low
virtual memory" issue.

Exactly.

I tried everything, research everything:

o Low RAM

- Swapping 256mb to 1GB did not help

o Microsoft Office (which we don't have)

o Intel Application Accelerator v2.1 or below (I have 2.6)

- Not loaded via Safe, so this doesn't apply also

o Hard disk issue

- From embedded XP cd boot (BART PE), ran chkdsk /F,
no issues.

- Using Steve Gibson's Spin-Rite CD complete drive check,
no issue.

- Web Site recommendation is to remove controller from
Device Manager, reboot allow system to detect it.
Can't get to manager to do this.

o Using BART PE, with Remote Registry Editor PE, editing:

HKLM/System/CurrentVersion/Control/Session Manager
/Memory Management

- Tried increasing size, c:\pagefile.sys 2000 3024
- Tried clearing it (no page file setup)
- Tried setting it different partition d:\

- Followed some of SysInternal.com performance tunning
suggestions, like LargeCacheset.

- Match the setting on a similar XP both, this box had
two extra options:

IOPageLockLimit = 0x3b000000
WriteWatch = 1

o For good measure, ran AVS scanner, nothing, clean as expected
because this BOX is not connected to the net for security
reasons. All updating is done manually from downloads.

I already began to reinstall, but the only thing close to a CLUE was
the following:

o Renamed the Recent folder (to "old-recent") and
recreated a new one:

- Under safe mode, the popup error continues, then lockup.

- Under normal boot, no popup errors, but it still locked up.
Renaming back the recent folder, brings back the popup.

So this seems to suggest a problem developed with our nightly VSS
backup that was started around 6-7 months when I discovered NTBACKUP
on XP supported VSS. System Restore is also enabled so with all these
VSS snapshots, it might have created a huge memory issue. Don't know,
but that is the only clue and the last thing I tried.

I'm about to hit the ENTER hit to start the re-install process.
argggggggg.

Go Figure.

--

 

[Tommy]

Tommy

You can transfer malware by means other than the internet.

How much RAM?

As noted Gerry, 1GB was added to it. It did run fine with 256MB since
2006.

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

Can't get pass the Low Virtual Memory popup error. The sequence is:

- XP Logo Screen with progress bar
- Clears screen with normal XP blue background, NOT BSOD.
- Mouse Hourglass for 3-5 seconds, then
- Low Virtual Memory popup error appears

You can move the mouse, move the dialog box around, close the box and
thats it. Early on during all this, we patiently waited because the
error said "Windows is increasing the page size", so we looked at the
hard drive lights, nothing, occasional blink, but nothing. One time
we waited 1 hour or so, and other 12 hours when we went to get the 1GB
drive. So it was stuck.

The only way we were able to get to it was to boot up with an embedded
XP CD (Bart PE) so we can try many suggestions, like editing the
registry to play with the different scenarios, increase the size,
delete it, no page file, etc.

Something was hosed!

Reinstalling in progress.

--

 

[mo]

I'm about to hit the ENTER hit to start the re-install process.

Well, I gave up trying other things and re-installed windows, which seems to
have fixed the problem. Of course, I'm now going through the headache of
trying to figure out all the drivers, settings, etc. to get everything
working as it was.

 

[Tommy]

Well, I gave up trying other things and re-installed windows, which seems to
have fixed the problem. Of course, I'm now going through the headache of
trying to figure out all the drivers, settings, etc. to get everything
working as it was.

You and me buddy. The CD was a XP/PRO SP2, so after that was installed
(35 mins or so), fortunately, I had all the Gigabytes updates for this
motherboard in a folder already. The VGA drivers was needed to make
the GUI faster and give it more video modes. The AUDIO drivers was
needed too.

After that I was deciding on taking the SP3 plunge but after reading
the overview and some blogs on SP3 issues, I decided to just do a
complete SP2 rollup. SP2 is fine for the need here. I am currently in
Windows Update where its downloading ~100 SP2 patches (90 mb). Says
about 1hr to finish.

I'll tell ya one thing - the machine is a lot smoother with the 1GB ram!

--

 

[Daave]

You and me buddy. The CD was a XP/PRO SP2, so after that was installed
(35 mins or so), fortunately, I had all the Gigabytes updates for this
motherboard in a folder already. The VGA drivers was needed to make
the GUI faster and give it more video modes. The AUDIO drivers was
needed too.

After that I was deciding on taking the SP3 plunge but after reading
the overview and some blogs on SP3 issues, I decided to just do a
complete SP2 rollup. SP2 is fine for the need here. I am currently in
Windows Update where its downloading ~100 SP2 patches (90 mb). Says
about 1hr to finish.

I'll tell ya one thing - the machine is a lot smoother with the 1GB
ram!

Tommy, the default Virtual Memory settings are not necessarily the best.
If I were you, I would let Windows manage VM:

Right-click My Computer and select Properties | Advanced | Performance:
Settings | Performance Options : Advanced tab | Virtual Memory: Change |
select "System managed size" | Set | OK | OK | OK

My guess is that 256MB wasn't enough for you. Although increasing your
physical memory to 1GB probably met your RAM demands, you probably never
adjusted your Virtual Memory settings!

You will eventually need to have SP3 installed, so consider preparing
for it so that the upgrade occurs without a hitch:

Two major problems with SP3 have been reported. However, with
preparation on your part, though, you won't (more than likley)
experince *any* problems whatsoever. Still, it is always wise to
image your hard drive before undertaking any major change like a
Service Pack upgrade.

Problem #1: On certain PCs that come with a factory-imaged hard
drive erroneously assuming the CPU is Intel rather than AMD (e.g.,
HPs), upgrading to SP3 without applying a particular patch first is
problematic. See this page for more information and for the fix:

http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jes...ed-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

(or http://tinyurl.com/6zs52d )

Problem #2: It is best to disconnect all perpipheral devices (e.g., USB
external hard drives, printers, etc.) and configure a Clean Boot
environment (because certain anti-malware programs that run in the
background can interfere with the upgrade). See:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

Personally, I have had best results *not* using Automatic Updates.
Instead, I recommend that people download the entire .iso file of SP3
from Microsoft and burn an SP3 CD:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&displaylang=en

(or http://tinyurl.com/5h8cw6 )

More reading material regarding the Best Practices method of upgrading
to SP3:

http://www.iaps.com/windows-xp-sp3-installation-guidelines.html

http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

(or http://tinyurl.com/6nf4k4 )

Currently, there is free support specifically for issues related to
upgrading
to SP3:

"Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3). This support for SP3 is
valid until April 14, 2009."

The above is from:

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

(or http://tinyurl.com/6cw2xk )

 

[Gerry]

Tommy

How large is the hard disk and how much free disk space on the C
partition?

Are you using any data back up programmes like Norton Ghost or Rollback?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Tommy]

Tommy

How large is the hard disk and how much free disk space on the C
partition?

This was a 89 gig, evenly partition for C: and D:. WinDoze on C:.

Are you using any data back up programmes like Norton Ghost or Rollback?

Well, was using NTBACKUP on a nightly run but only backing up critical
data. Not the OS or entire partition. I'm going to revisit this early
this week. Now I just need to freaking rest

--

 

[Tommy]

My guess is that 256MB wasn't enough for you. Although increasing your
physical memory to 1GB probably met your RAM demands, you probably never
adjusted your Virtual Memory settings!

Daave, I did threw everything available under the kitchen sink at this
issue. Remember, I could not get to the VM GUI manager. It has to be
done using a special Registry Editor on an embedded XP boot CD called
Bart PE. I tried increasing it, moving it, turning it off as
suggested by one web site resolution in relationship to this type of
error. I read SysInternal.com Memory Performance Tunning article and
tried some of those.

Nothing work. The system was hosed. Of course, its a software bug
somewhere in MS suite of drivers, and/or system hooks.

Anywho, I have everything reinstall and completely setup and
operational again now, but if I had to guess, XP has a problem with:

VSS backups
System Restores

when used over an extended period unattended. I think the low memory
was part of it. Something in the bootup sequence was working with
this and it just couldn't handle it, but once corrupted, it was hosed.
Probably was stuck in some endless loop, who knows! <g> but the
mouse was still active, the gui manager was allowed the popup error
dialog to be moved around, but since I could not bring up task
manager, I could not see what process was stuck. Who knows!

--

 

[Gerry]

Tommy

You did not say how much free disk you had on C?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Gerry]

Tommy

What firewall are you running?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Tommy]

Tommy

You did not say how much free disk you had on C?

Oh, sorry. 90% on C: (34GB free)

--

 

[Tommy]

Tommy

What firewall are you running?

I call it the "NO PLUG FIREWALL" <g>

--

 

[Gerry]

Tommy

Some versions of Zone Alarm have been known not work well with System
Restore with consequences for virtual memory usage.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Daave]

Hey guys, I literally joined the forums here after finding this topic
as
I have been experiencing a very similar problem.

On Saturday I was just browsing and I clicked on a link to what I
thought was a legitimately safe video but when I noticed the odd IP
address in the address bar I quickly closed the tab. I thought
everything was fine until about a minute later when Firefox just
closed
and brought up the "Send Error Report" box, I sent the report along
with
the usual info. Then I tried reopening Firefox when nothing responded,
the system didn't even try to load it, and it wouldn't load any other
programs. So I decided to restart the computer to see if it would
solve
it, it got past the XP loading screen, but like TS, the mouse pointer
was fine, but all I got was a black screen with the message about low
virtual memory.

The laptop is 2 years old, it is a Dell Inspiron 1300 with 1gig RAM,
80
gig hard drive with a 60/20gig partition with 6.5gigs free space on
the
primary drive. I had recently run CCleaner and I had the latest
version
of AVG which I'm surprised didn't pick up on the hazardous link.
Running
Firefox 3 of course and very little else in the backround, CachemanXP
was also running in the backround which failed shortly after Firefox.

I had just recently backed up my music collection, but I have alot of
other files I didn't get a chance to backup that I want to get at so I
want to avoid formating the drive, but if it comes to it I will
reinstall XP just to avoid the stress of not having my own computer.

This seems like a relatively new problem, does anyone have a
solution??

Remove the malware:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Viruses_Malware