Your System Has no Paging File or the Paging File cannot be found.

[ixeye]

Problem with logging in (on an XP computer on a Win2003 Domained
network). Also happens if I logon locally on this computer (XP SP2 BTW).

Message:

Limited Virtual Memory

Your System Has no Paging File or the Paging File cannot be found.

Things tried:
1) Changing in My Computer
2) Changing the registry memory management specs.
3) Redirecting the pagefile.sys to another file.
4) Permissions
5) "Repairing Windows XP in Eight Commands" by Robert Hallock
(awesome resource BTW), but did not help this issue.
6) Did all reinstalls I know of except wiping clean the HD (sure
don't want to
do that if I can avoid it)
7) What else can I do to fix this pagefile problem?

Brent
careyb@osdco.com
970-520-7479

[Thrax]

Right click on my computer + hit properties > ADVANCED tab -> Settings under performance subsection -> Advanced tab on new window -> Hit CHANGE.

1. Disable your page file by hitting "No paging file"
2. Reboot
3. Reenable your paging file (Size: Min = 1x RAM, max = 2X RAM)
4. Reboot

[kryyst]

If Thrax's advice doesn't fix it some times you need to dissable it in windows then reboot with a XP cd into recovery console and manually delete the pagefile. Then reboot and recreate it.

[ixeye]

just del pagefile.sys? It does not appear that I
can see the pagefile.sys so I was trying to figure
out a way to defrag the pagefile.
I will try it though.

[Thrax]

It's a hidden file. Once the page file is disabled, boot into the Windows recovery console:

C:\>del pagefile.sys

[QCH]

The pagefile.sys is hidden by default. To see hidden files...
Open "My Computer" and click on the "Tools" menu. Then "Folder Options", then the "View" tab. Look through the list of advanced settings and make sure "Display the contents of system folders", "Show hidden files and folders", and the UNCHECK "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)".

[kryyst]

just del pagefile.sys? It does not appear that I
can see the pagefile.sys so I was trying to figure
out a way to defrag the pagefile.
I will try it though.

Not exactly. You can't delete it from windows. First in windows you have to set the pagefile size to 0 and dissable it. Then (forgot to mention this part) you have to make it an unhidden file as others mentioned. Then to delete it you reboot into recovery console by booting off a windows cd. Then you can delete the pagefile. Then reboot into windows and enable the pagefile, which will create a new one. Personally I recommend letting windows manage the size for you. There are some advantages that can be gained by making a static sized pagefile. However some programs don't like it when you do that. So unless you have very specific programs that you are running it's best to let windows manage it for you.

[ixeye]

Oops, right before I got your last message I started another
install, installing Windoze to a new directory and now the
problem does not come up anymore. Not the best fix but it works for
now. Thanks for the help, all.

[QCH]

No problem... feel free to stick around. We're a good bunch of guys and gals.

[Thrax]

You dropped a bomb on a problem that needed a bullet. Sheesh.

[kryyst]

Oops, right before I got your last message I started another
install, installing Windoze to a new directory and now the
problem does not come up anymore. Not the best fix but it works for
now. Thanks for the help, all.

So now you have a windows and a windows.000 directory? Remember - don't delete the windows directory. Previously installed programs will have files linked to that old install and deleting it can cause major grief.