My PC has a page file problem. It does not exist. Error messages include: "Windows created a temporary paging file on your computer because of a problem that occurred with your paging file configuration when you started your computer. The total paging file size for all disk drives may be somewhat larger than the size you specified." My machine always hangs at "loading your personal settings" during bootup. Another message received when booting at loading personal settings and hitting Alt-Tab is, "Limited virtual memory. Your system has no paging file, or the paging file is too small. To fix this problem..." Then the message describes the routine for setting page file sizes. I have searched the internet and found this problem to be common with a large variety of suggested fixes. I have tried all I've found with no success.

Here are a few of the things already tried (but I'll be glad to redo any if you so suggest):
1. Set administrative rights.
2. Be sure we're okay on display system and hidden files.
3. Set paging file to "no file"; then changing back to custom.
4. Set paging file to "no file"; then changing back to system.
5. Install Intel Application accelerator. Some suggest deinstalling it. Since it wasn't installed prior to installing it, we have not deintalled it.
6. Doing the various things in safe mode and in normal mode.

One thing I've seen listed as successful with this problem is to create a bogus "trash.sys" file on the root, give it the attributes of a pagefile.sys, change all references to pagefile.sys in the register to "trash.sys" - and it will then create a pagefile except it will be called "trash.sys". They were not successful with renaming trash.sys.

Please oh please help me!
The experts on your spyware forum think the machine is clear of all malware. I have searched for pagefile.sys both from DOS with the /a setting. I can see system and hidden files - but no "pagefile.sys". I also searched for it with the GUI Explorer searcher after making sure the options were set so i could see hidden and system files - but still no "pagefile.sys".

The machine also reboots when I tried to run my virus software which is Norton AntiVirus (copyright 2006) Version 14.3.0.8.

I look forward to your advice and help.

Following is my HijackThis log:
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 4:54:13 PM, on 5/25/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16441)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AppCore\AppSvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Nhksrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sessmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb0 5.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\point32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\DELLMMKB.EXE
C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\QUICKENW\QAGENT.EXE
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Netropa\OSD.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\QUICKENW\QWDLLS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Home Publishing\MHPRMIND.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RDSHOST.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://runonce.msn.com/?v=msgrv75
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1;<local>
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Easy-WebPrint - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb0 5.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorksFUD] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\Wkfud.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [osCheck] "C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\osCheck.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DellTouch] C:\WINDOWS\DELLMMKB.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] "C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [QAGENT] C:\QUICKENW\QAGENT.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyAgent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Money Express.exe"
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Greetings Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Home Publishing\MHPRMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Billminder.lnk = C:\QUICKENW\BILLMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Camio Viewer 2000.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sierra Imaging\Image Expert 2000\IXApplet.exe
O4 - Global Startup: CorrectConnect.lnk = C:\Program Files\CConnect\CConnect.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Event Reminder.lnk = C:\Program Files\PrintMaster 16\pmremind.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Quicken Startup.lnk = C:\QUICKENW\QWDLLS.EXE
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Define - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Add To Print List - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_AddToList.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint High Speed Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_HSPrint.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Preview - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_Preview.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_Print.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Look Up in &Encyclopedia - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra button: Encarta Encyclopedia - {2FDEF853-0759-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Encarta Encyclopedia - {2FDEF853-0759-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra button: Define - {5DA9DE80-097A-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Define - {5DA9DE80-097A-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.cox.net
O16 - DPF: {01A88BB1-1174-41EC-ACCB-963509EAE56B} (SysProWmi Class) - http://support.dell.com/systemprofiler/SysPro.CAB
O16 - DPF: {058025FC-4416-436B-ACFD-03E6224C901C} (FileInfo Class) - http://diagnostics.support.hp.com/mo.../ipgaxctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (sys Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/dell/site/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {6A344D34-5231-452A-8A57-D064AC9B7862} (Symantec Download Manager) - https://webdl.symantec.com/activex/symdlmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/Ms...Downloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {DED22F57-FEE2-11D0-953B-00C04FD9152D} (CarPoint Auto-Pricer Control) - http://carpoint.msn.com/components/o...autopricer.cab
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.hp.com/dj/qdiagh.cab?223
O18 - Protocol: flowto - {C7101FB0-28FB-11D5-883A-204C4F4F5020} - C:\Harrisdirect\FlowHook.dll
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - Anti-Malware Development a.s. - C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service (ImapiService) - Roxio Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\ImapiRox.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec IS Password Validation (ISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\isPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Netropa NHK Server (Nhksrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\Nhksrv.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AppCore Service (SymAppCore) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AppCore\AppSvc32.exe

Is this a new problem? Any new hardware or software?

If a new problem have you tried a System Restore to a point prior to the problem?

You can also Run... sfc /scannow

System File Checker. You will be asked to insert your XP CD.

Also I personally would uninstall all Norton/Symantec software as it is notoriously troublesome.

If you have more than one drive (or partition), I would delete any existing PFs and try to create a new PF on the second drive. Make sure you click "Set" for each change before exiting. And I suggest you set the initial and maximum to the same value - depending on how much RAM you have 1024Mb is usually plenty. This establishes a fixed size PF which is less troublesome on crowded (or highly fragmented) drives.

Also, how much free disk space do you have?

Is this a new problem? Yes, the problem started around about 4/20/07. No new hardware or software. A friend is helping me work on this problem with you. He thought spyware was the culprit based on hangups when using HotBar. He removed HotBAr, installed anti-spyware, and ran them and resolved - according to the reports - a ton of spyware issues. But the paging file problem did not get fixed. He worked with your spyware forum for several weeks until they finally suggested the XP forum - they said my computer was "clean."

Norton was not installed prior to the problem. I installed it because my goofy friend thought it was good. But the paging problems persisted. At your suggestion I deinstalled Norton - but the paging problem persists ("ppp" - "paging problem persists").

I ran system restore to a point well prior to 4/20 - "ppp".

I ran sfc /scannow- "ppp". Incidentally, during all these efforts, now when I bring up the System Properties panel from Run with "control sysdm.cpl", the sfc /scannow program automatically pops up - and this started before I ran sfc from the DOS window. I have never been asked for the XP CD.

For "Digerati", I don't have two disk drives nor multiple partitions. I am puzzled by the amount of storage I have used up on my disk drive. Here are the numbers: Free space - 15.6 GB, Amt used - 58.8 GB, Total 74.4 GB. I primarily use this PC as an email machine, and have no big collections of graphics or sound files. When we try with futility to set our paging file size, we DO try to use the same size for initial and maximum, and we've tried a number of sizes up to 2,048 MB.

What do you suggest next? Sorry it takes me a little while to respond to your suggestions since I am coordinating with my helper.

Bob G.

Did you look here?

Mr. Diserati - yes, we did check out those instructions, and we did as they suggested. Our rights are right.

I am quite concerned about my "used" disk space being so high. Explorer shows 63 GB used! As I said previously, I mainly use this PC as an email device and I have no media collections. My friend who has an identical PC which we both bought and installed at the same time has used only 24 Gig. He probably uses his five times as much. I wonder if pagefile.sys is being created repeatedly and marked "used", but cannot be used. Suggestions on how to check this out would be appreciated

Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob G.

I don't know. I actually thought Jephree's suggestion should have done it!

This is a pie chart program to map out your drive - it might give a clue.

I had the exact symptoms. I made a file called c:\pagefile1.sys, then searched the registry for pagefile.sys and gchanged it to pagefile1.sys. Restarted, and the 0 k (a size of zero KB) file became the 783MG file I needed.