Missing page file in XP.

[Rat]

I recently upgraded my mother's computer to Win XP. I usually set a minimum and maximum page file size of the same size. 1 Gb in this case. When the computer reboots, it says there is no page file, and creates a temporary one. I can then set it, it asks for a reboot (as expected), then says the same again.

It makes the computer very slow, of course, and my mother is now asking if I can uninstall XP. I'd rather not.

Anyone know how to solve this one?

Cheers,
Rat.

[garys_2k]

I have no idea why it complains, but why not let Windows manage it?

[Rat]

It becomes far less fragmented. The machine works faster, or seems to. I tried it anyway, and it still complained the same.

I think, after trawling MS's KB site, that it may be down to permissions to the root directory. I'll try that next time I'm there. If anyone else has any suggestions in the meantime, I'd be glad to hear them.

Cheers,
Rat.

[Luceiia]

Might take a gander at this page:

http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php

Some excellent XP virtual memory info as well as these tidbits at the bottom that may help your specific situation:

The setting for Maximum Size of the page file is too low, or there is not enough disk space free to expand it to that size.


The page file has become corrupt, possibly at a bad shutdown. In the Virtual Memory settings, set to “No page file,” then exit System Properties, shut down the machine, and reboot. Delete PAGEFILE.SYS (on each drive, if more than just C:), set the page file up again and reboot to bring it into use.


The page file has been put on a different drive without leaving a minimal amount on C:.


There is trouble with third party software. In particular, if the message happens at shutdown, suspect a problem with Symantec’s Norton Live update, for which there is a fix posted here. If the problem happens at boot and the machine has an Intel chipset, the message may be caused by an early version (before version 2.1) of Intel’s “Application Accelerator.” Uninstall this and then get an up-to-date version from Intel’s site.


Possibly there is trouble with the drivers for IDE hard disks; in Device Manager, remove the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers (main controller) and reboot for Plug and Play to start over.


With an NTFS file system, the permissions for the page file’s drive’s root directory must give “Full Control” to SYSTEM. If not, there is likely to be a message at boot that the system is “unable to create a page file.”

g'luck with it,

Luceiia