Strange behavior - paging file won't resize.

[Ron Martell]

[Originally posted in windowsxp.configuration_manage]

I have recently installed Windows XP Pro on a new laptop. I've applied
service pack 2 as well as all applicable hotfixes from MS Update.

My account is an Administrator on the machine. I go into System Properties
and change the paging file settings to a custom size, 3000 initial size and
3000 maximum size. I click the Set button, then OK (and so on) until I exit
System Properties. I get the message telling me to reboot the system. I do
so. Upon logging back in I notice the paging file is still the same size as
it had been before I made the change! No messages indicating an error in
event logs. I go into System Properties and the new settings are still set
(as noted above).

I reboot the box and go into Safe mode. Voila, the paging file size has now
changed to the size I set. Good. Reboot and go on about business.
However, upon logging in I see that the paging file has again gone back to
its original size!

Any ideas as to what is going on here?
Thank you!

Is the computer infested with any Norton/Symantec products?

That overpriced crapware has been known to cause this behavior, along
with many other malfunctions and mishaps.

NAV2004 and Norton Corporate 9.0 can cause Windows XP Page File
settings to revert to Windows default values.

These products need to be reconfigured to exclude pagefile.sys from
the Norton Auto Protect scans. The Symantec Knowledge Base has
detailed instructions on how to do this.

Symantec Knowledge Base articles:
NAV2004: 2005123011260806
Corporate 9.0: 2004042913251448

Hope this is of some assistance.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Rock]

[Originally posted in windowsxp.configuration_manage]

I have recently installed Windows XP Pro on a new laptop. I've applied
service pack 2 as well as all applicable hotfixes from MS Update.

My account is an Administrator on the machine. I go into System
Properties
and change the paging file settings to a custom size, 3000 initial size
and
3000 maximum size. I click the Set button, then OK (and so on) until I
exit
System Properties. I get the message telling me to reboot the system. I
do
so. Upon logging back in I notice the paging file is still the same size
as
it had been before I made the change! No messages indicating an error in
event logs. I go into System Properties and the new settings are still
set
(as noted above).

I reboot the box and go into Safe mode. Voila, the paging file size has
now
changed to the size I set. Good. Reboot and go on about business.
However, upon logging in I see that the paging file has again gone back to
its original size!

Any ideas as to what is going on here?
Thank you!

Is the computer infested with any Norton/Symantec products?

<snip>

No I already asked him that.

 

[OldWin32Dog]

Well, it's been an interesting exploration. Not one I'm anxious to repeat.

When one mentions "crapware", be sure to place CA Internet Security Suite
2007 very high on the list. Along with the host of issues I had with this
package before I would now add this issue (the original post about the
paging file). I uninstalled the anti-virus software and my paging file
issue disappeared. However, a variety of new issues cropped up which made
for a very long day reinstalling other software and patches/hotfixes (.NET
framework for one). Some problems yet remain (IPSec Services still dead)...
Someone shoot me if I ever spend another dime on a CA product!

For anyone looking to avoid these headaches as well as save some money, go
to www.comodo.com and download their FREE (guaranteed) firewall and
anti-virus products. That should kick some smarts into the big guns
(Symantec, CA, et. al.). Kinda reminds me of a browser war some years
ago...

Again, thanks to all who responded here! Without such help I wasn't likely
to find the solution.
OldWin32Dog

 

[Rock]

"OldWin32Dog"wrote

Well, it's been an interesting exploration. Not one I'm anxious to
repeat.

When one mentions "crapware", be sure to place CA Internet Security Suite
2007 very high on the list. Along with the host of issues I had with this
package before I would now add this issue (the original post about the
paging file). I uninstalled the anti-virus software and my paging file
issue disappeared. However, a variety of new issues cropped up which made
for a very long day reinstalling other software and patches/hotfixes (.NET
framework for one). Some problems yet remain (IPSec Services still
dead)... Someone shoot me if I ever spend another dime on a CA product!

For anyone looking to avoid these headaches as well as save some money, go
to www.comodo.com and download their FREE (guaranteed) firewall and
anti-virus products. That should kick some smarts into the big guns
(Symantec, CA, et. al.). Kinda reminds me of a browser war some years
ago...

Again, thanks to all who responded here! Without such help I wasn't
likely to find the solution.
OldWin32Dog

Good to see a resolution. Thanks for updating the thread.