Pagefile.sys MISSING!

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1) I tried to manually create a Paging File. copy /y command it gave me an
"access is Denied" statement
2) When I try changing the parameters to anything except NO Paging File I
get the error that my Pagefile.sys is not existent or too small. (using the
Windows Default values)
3) when I did the "Dir c:\Pagefile.sys" I was told it couldn't find it.
(using the at hh:mm parameter)
4) when I tell it to Del C:\pagefile.sys it tells me the file could not be
found.

Yet if I try to change the name of my hiberfil.sys to pagefile.sys it tells
me a file with that name exists and it {hiberfil.sys} does not exist.

It is strange, i don't use Hibernate, but it will create a hibernate file,
but it won't seem to create a pagefile.sys
 
Error Message: Your System Has No Paging File, or the Paging File Is Too
Small
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q315270

Added info:

Check your settings here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory
Management

PagingFiles - To change the mininum and maximum values, change the 0's to
the Min and Max values you want: Example: C:\Pagefile.sys 766 1024

You will also need to make this change in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001, ControlSet002 and ControlSet003
branches, if they exist.

Configuring Page Files for Optimization and Recovery
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314482

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com
 
At long last we're getting close!

If you cannot manually create c:\pagefile.sys then this is
a) because the file already exists and is used by Windows, or
b) because its permissions place it outside your reach.

Now in all previous posts you said that the file does NOT exist.

You also claimed that the NTFS permissions of C:\ allowed
everyone full access.

Some contradictions here . . . What do you get when you
open a Command Prompt and type this command:

calcs c:\pagefiles.sys
 
Kelly, thanks, but been there...done that...got the T-shirt...but still no
paging file :(. I wish it was that easy.

ChapBell
 
When I type in CACLS C:\pagefile.sys it states "The system cannot find the
file specified".

thanks for the help. I appreciate all you are trying to do.

BTW, in your post you put calcs...but using the Help Command I discovered
teh cacls was what you meant. Just note this for anyone who may follow this
mess in at a later time.

ChapBell
 
Sorry for the typographical error.

Getting really close now. What you report suggests that
a) The file c:\pagefile.sys does not exist, and
b) When you try to create it then you get the message "Access denied".

Let's get a last confirmation on item a). Open a Command Prompt
and type this command:
attrib c:\page*.*

If the response is "File not found" then item a) is correct. This leaves
you with item b). Next questions:
c) Is drive C: a FAT or an NTFS volume?
d) Are you running WinXP Home or Professional?
e) In one of my previous replies I asked you to check
the permissions for C:\. Did you get around to doing this?
f) What happens when you type these commands at the Command Prompt:
echo. > c:\MyFile.txt
cacls c:\MyFile.txt
echo. > c:\Rubbish.sys
attrib c:\nt*.*
cacls c:\nt*.*
Please report all screen output.
 
Thanks for your help.

1) when I type "attrib C:\page*.*" I get a "File Not Found" reply

2) When I check the Security tab under properties in C:\ every listing (i.e.
administrator, Everyone, system...) all say "full control"

3) It is an NTFS system.

4) I am running Windows XP Professional SP2

5) cacls: MyFile.txt displays the following information:
HOMECOMPUTER\Administrator:F
BUILTIN\Administrators:F
Everyone:F
HOMECOMPUTER\(My Logon):F
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:F
BUILTIN\Users:F

6) Rubbish.sys is now in my C:\ directory

7) attrib c:\nt*.* displays the following information
A SHR C:\NTDETECT.COM
A SHR C:\ntldr

8) cacls C:\nt*.* displays the following information
C:\NTDETECT.COM BUILTIN\Power User:R
BUILTIN\Administrators:F
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:F

C:\ntldr BUILTIN\Power User:R
BUILTIN\Administrators:F
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:F


That answers all your questions, I believe. Again, Thanks for the help.

ChapBell
 
This is the most curious case I have ever come across. If your
reports are correct (and I have no reason to doubt that they
are) then your system refuses you the permission to create a
paging file under the name of "C:\pagefile.sys", even though
the permissions of the root directory are set correctly.

Well, if you cannot solve a problem then you can always
try to walk around it. You have successfully created the
file c:\rubbish.sys. Let's promote it to the paging file! Do
this:
- Run regedit.exe.
- Navigate to HKLM\CurrentControlSet.
- Click F3.
- Find and replace every instance of pagefile.sys with rubbish.sys.
- Retain all the other details (e.g. turn c:\pagefile.sys 384 768
into c:\rubbish.sys 384 768).
- Reboot the machine and test your handiwork.
 
This is the most curious case I have ever come across. If your
reports are correct (and I have no reason to doubt that they
are) then your system refuses you the permission to create a
paging file under the name of "C:\pagefile.sys", even though
the permissions of the root directory are set correctly.

Well, if you cannot solve a problem then you can always
try to walk around it. You have successfully created the
file c:\rubbish.sys. Let's promote it to the paging file! Do
this:
- Run regedit.exe.
- Navigate to HKLM\CurrentControlSet.
- Click F3.
- Find and replace every instance of pagefile.sys with rubbish.sys.
- Retain all the other details (e.g. turn c:\pagefile.sys 384 768
into c:\rubbish.sys 384 768).
- Reboot the machine and test your handiwork.
 
Curious indeed...imagine how I've felt for the last six weeks, playing with
this problem.

But .... Now I have a pagefile...it's just called RUBBISH.SYS. When I
changed the names using regedit, it accepted them. No errors. It even made
rubbish.sys a hidden system file.

I then played and discovered that I could change its size, without incident.
I could run it with "System Managed" settings without incident.

But I can't change the name back to pagefile.sys either with a ren command
at the cmd prompt or in regedit. If I do, ERROR!! But changing it back makes
it all work right.

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

If it isn't too much trouble, I have one more troubleshoot, which I'd gladly
put into a new thread if you'd like.

In working with the Microsoft Help Desk ... using one of my free questions
.... yet getting NO answers, the Help Desk person had me install a second
Windows XP Professional on my system. It is on the C Drive in a folder called
WINDOWS. My current setup uses the C Drive folder WINNT.

Is there an easy way to delete the second set of Windows XP Professional? I
mean I had to go and download all the upgrades again....yada yada. Don't need
to waste that space on my C Drive, do I?

I asked him and he had me delete the line in boot.ini which asked me to
choose, but I want to delete the whole thing. Can you help?

Lastly, and I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I do now
notice something I hadn't. When I didn't have a pagefile my computer shut
down immediately. But now when I tell it to shutdown, a Norton AntiVirus
ccApp.exe pulls a menu asking me if I really want to stop now...It did that
all the time and I hadn't noticed it wasn't doing that until I got
"rubbish.sys" working. Could the two be related?

Again, thanks for all your help. It is very much appreciated.

ChapBell
 
See below.

ChapBell said:
Curious indeed...imagine how I've felt for the last six weeks, playing with
this problem.

But .... Now I have a pagefile...it's just called RUBBISH.SYS. When I
changed the names using regedit, it accepted them. No errors. It even made
rubbish.sys a hidden system file.

I then played and discovered that I could change its size, without incident.
I could run it with "System Managed" settings without incident.
Click to expand...

It seems that there is a flaw in the structure of your NT file system. It
remember the security settings of c:\pagefile.sys, even though this file
no longer exists. Perhaps it still exists in some index, invisibly to you.
But I can't change the name back to pagefile.sys either with a ren command
at the cmd prompt or in regedit. If I do, ERROR!! But changing it back makes
it all work right.

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

If it isn't too much trouble, I have one more troubleshoot, which I'd gladly
put into a new thread if you'd like.

In working with the Microsoft Help Desk ... using one of my free questions
... yet getting NO answers, the Help Desk person had me install a second
Windows XP Professional on my system. It is on the C Drive in a folder called
WINDOWS. My current setup uses the C Drive folder WINNT.

Is there an easy way to delete the second set of Windows XP Professional? I
mean I had to go and download all the upgrades again....yada yada. Don't need
to waste that space on my C Drive, do I?
Click to expand...

1. Rename c:\Windows to c:\Windows.spare.
2. Wait a week.
3. If all is well, delete c:\Windows.spare from the Command Prompt,
using this command: rd /s /q c:\Windows.spare.
I asked him and he had me delete the line in boot.ini which asked me to
choose, but I want to delete the whole thing. Can you help?

Lastly, and I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I do now
notice something I hadn't. When I didn't have a pagefile my computer shut
down immediately. But now when I tell it to shutdown, a Norton AntiVirus
ccApp.exe pulls a menu asking me if I really want to stop now...It did that
all the time and I hadn't noticed it wasn't doing that until I got
"rubbish.sys" working. Could the two be related?
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I know nothing about NAV. I suggest you try an NAV newsgroup.
And I doubt that the new name of your paging file has anything to do with
it.
I suspect it relates to the fact that you now have a fixed paging file.
Again, thanks for all your help. It is very much appreciated.
Click to expand...

You're welcome. It was an intersting exercise, facilitated by your
patience, perseverance and willingness to carry out my instructions
to the letter. Many posters give up after a while because the do
not see the relevance of my tests. They fail to appreciate that
trouble shooting can be like a game of chess: The trouble shooter
must always look several steps ahead. Well done!
 
ChapBell wrote:

In working with the Microsoft Help Desk ... using one of my free questions
... yet getting NO answers, the Help Desk person had me install a second
Windows XP Professional on my system. It is on the C Drive in a folder called
WINDOWS. My current setup uses the C Drive folder WINNT.
Click to expand...

Could there be some sort of conflict with pagefile.sys created by the
other installation of XP since it's on the same partition? Boot to the
other installation and set the page file to 0. See if that can affect
creating it on the other installation.
 
Do what? Which XP CD did you use to install the second? There is a big
difference between Windows and Winnt. Are you running per chance a Gateway
system? Either way, this is not good.

First, if you have an OEM system, you would need to use the disks provided
and use their support guidelines. Beings you stated you called MS Support,
this only brings to mind that this is an upgrade from W2K which in its own
right, wouldn't be all that pleasantly doable either.

However, you also mentioned that you used a free call ....... more info
needed as this would indeed clarify that the former of my reply does not
even apply.

Lastly, good luck!
--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com
 
Pegasus,

I downloaded a file from www.ntfs.com which allows me to start my computer
in DOS mode and read the Directory/contents of C: drive. As I do that, there
is listed in that directory, pagefile.sys created 03202005. Unfortunately,
the program is only a read ntfs file. I can't delete it. Is there a way, or a
program, that allows me to start my computer in DOS and delete that file?

As we have seen I can't do it through windows.

(I am going out of town for a week beginning 05052005 -- so I may not be
able to try anything you suggest until 05142005)

ChapBell
 
What you report contradicts your report from an earlier
post where you said that the command
attrib c:\page*.*
reported that the file does not exist . . .

There are a few ways to gain full access to an NTFS partition:
- Buy ntfsdos.com from www.sysinternals.com.
- Temporarily install the disk as a slave disk in some other WinXP/2000 PC.
- Boot the machine with a Bart PE CD (www.bootdisk.com). You
need a CD burner and a WinXP Professional CD (but no licence
number).

The last one is my favourite optiion. It is a terrific tool that
I always carry in my tool kit.

If you have any further questions then I suggest you start
a new thread on your return. This one is getting rather
worn. In case I miss it, you can drop me a line on
(e-mail address removed). Replace both "x"s with "s"s.
 
Try going to intel and searching your chipset number then downloading the
correct "Application Accelerator" Seems to be a bug with sp2 and
reinstalling older hardware drivers-software.
 
I have been searching for a solution to this problem since last year and
started posting at the beginning of the current one (see EMPTY SYSTEM FILES
postings and suggestions). Wildbill's recommendation reached me by e-mail
last May, but I was away and I tried it only today. IT IS THE ONLY SOLUTION
TO THE PROBLEM I HAD. Thanks a lot, wildbill. Simple and effective. Great!
 
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