Pagefile help

[Bazerk83]

Hi guys.

Today I did something that I am now regretting.

I switched my pagefile to a second hard drive. I left 1 GB on the C: drive and set the D: drive to automatic values.

I did this to try and solve a memory issue with Fallout 3. However, my computer has now been reduced to a slow crawl. I left it to run a little while thinking it would pick up once the new pagefiles were adjusted, but it's still as slow as hell.

I've now switched back to the original setting of Windows managing the pagefile.

The computer is still running at an absolute crawl after I rebooted and the CPU light on the PC is fixed permanently on. As if working in overdrive (which I imagine is to be expected now)

My question is. Is it going to correct itself and return to it's normal lightening speed that it was? If so, how long will it take?

These are my specs:

Motherboard: ASUS M4N82 Deluxe
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.80 GHz
Memory: x2 2GB DDR3
Graphics Card: Nvidia GEforce GTX 260 (Gainward)
Sound: Creative Labs SoundBlaster X-Fi Fatal1ty Xtreme Gamer
OS: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit


If it's NOT going to eventually pick up again to it's normal speed? Is there any solution other than a completely fresh install of Windows 7?

Please help.

Many thanks.

- Bazerk.

 

[whs]

With 4GBs of RAM, I doubt that the page file is being used a lot and thus be the culprit for your problem. Maybe you want to check in Task Manager which processes slow your system down. I would also have a peek into the Event Viewer and see whether there are any unusual events recorded.

 

[Bazerk83]

I think it is. considering its always been super fast right up until the point when i changed the pagefile settings.

 

[Wishmaster]

If it will ease your mind, you can try:

1. disbale the PF on all Hard drives.
2. reboot
3. re-enable the the PF on the drive you want it on
4. reboot again just to be safe

this way it will will force a single brand new PF to be generated.

However, I too agree with whs. I'm not so sure the PF is the issue here.

When you say you were getting memory error in FO3, what exactly was happening. If a message, what message were you getting.

 

[Bazerk83]

Ok.

As I've just STATED. I've NEVER had a lag issue. I haven't done ANYTHING different to my PC today OTHER than the pagefile tweaking. So WHY would it be anything else?

It was running FINE today right up until then. So if it's not that, I ask you, what is it?

Gonna try your suggestion. If that doesn't work. I'm just gonna wipe and reinstall.

I haven't the patience today which I normally have. Probably because of the fact that other than in safe mode. It's taking an eternity to do the simplest of things.

As for Fallout 3. It's not a specific error I'm getting. It's frequently known to CTD and one of the supposed fixes is to switch the PF. Reason being an apparent memory leak issue in the game.

 

[Wishmaster]

Have done as whs suggest and look in the task manager for clue as to whats eating up CPU,RAM, or disk use?

I do not doubt a problem exists as you describe. We are simply saying PF should'nt cause such an issue.
It is quite possible something else is the culprit.

Many things could be causing the COD issue as well, perhaps even the same thing causing the current problems.

In terms of Fallout, as with any 32bit it is limited to 2GB of memory space.

When you hit this thresh hold, CoDs can and do happen.

How quickly and often it occurs will depend on , resolution, graphics settings as well as other factors..
such as: running mods? Particularly mods that change textures to HD textures?

There are ways of allowing the game to use more memory, which does not involve the PF.

Also, CODs related to mods can be a reference to a item that conflicts with another mod.
For example: Lets say a caravan guard has a clash, or issue with another mod due to something as simple as his eyes.
The game will run fine, but as soon as that Vendor and his guard enter the cell you are in ... Crash to Desktop!

Once we figure out and solve the initial problem, we can then locate & find an optimal solution that works for you for the FO3 COD issue.

 

[Bazerk83]

Yes I've looked in the processes and the maximum being used is kasperksy internet suite. 8,000k. After that it's svchost.exe 7,000k

Which if I recall was the norm when everything ran fine.

As for Fallout 3. Yes I run mods, high graphics and high res. I also have a mod that has HD textures. I have the system specs powerful enough to run it and the game runs smoothly up until the CTD.

I also installed a memory boost application that came recommended (and not one of those fake virus download programs that are all over the net)

I clear the cache memory in the console. I've tweaked the ini file to increase memory space available to use. I've tried everything possible that's been recommended to prevent CTDs but they still happen randomly after about 30 mins or so.

I also have a GPU heatsink (high end) installed and a front intake fan 12" and an outtake fan. I also have 2 side panel fans (high end) running so I know it's not an overheating problem.

 

[Wishmaster]

OK.
Couple questions so we are the same page here.

1. Have your CODs always been present? Or only since the game has been modded?

2. Where did you get your memory boost applications (Nexus?)
Theres 2 ways of doing this. One was a program on Nexus where you install a program, and then modify the Fo.exe.
The other way is a simple exe patch that add the 2GB+ flag (no software install needed)

I suspect we may have a mod thats conflicting that only happens under certain circumstances.

3. Have you tried auto sorting your mods with BOSS?
4. Have you tried creating a merge patch to load after all other mods with FO3 edit.

5. And lastly, where did you get your FO3 game? (Retail Box, Steam, D2D)

 

[Bazerk83]

1. Yes
2. Nexus
3. No. Boss?
4. Yes
5. Retail Box (GOTY edition)

 

[Wishmaster]

BOSS. Yes, just as Oblivion was if familiar with that.
It has a masterlist of all know mods, and sorts them in the proper order for you.

BOSS for FO3 - Better Oblivion Sorting Software for Fallout3 at Fallout 3 Nexus - Fallout 3 mods and community

Grab the Master update list as well to replace the one that comes with main program.


Copy all of it to DATA folder, and run the batch file (as per instructions).


Once it Auto sorts, pay attenntion to log file, if theres any mod it does not recognize.(It will list unknowns at bottom)
You will need to drag those to where they need to be. for the most part, it should know what all major mods are and where they go.
If its ordering is different than the current one, you will need to create a new merge and disable or delete old one.

One other thought, the patch to allow more RAM use disbaled the functionality of Windows Live, (as Im sure you are aware)
One thing you may also wish to try, is create a fake live dll with FOMM.
Should be in the Install tweaker settings
This way, it will not load with Fallout. (If you are disabling it with mods anyway, no point loading it when you start FO3)

 

[Bazerk83]

I'll definately use BOSS now thanks

As for the last tip regarding G4WL. I disable that anyway as most people do. I use the nexus program to do it. Are you saying I should still creat a fake .dll file?

Alos I use fose loader so would it still apply?

 

[Bazerk83]

btw. I'm currently in the process of a fresh windows 7 install. lol, i hate tgweaking every little setting all over again. Such a pain! Still, I love this game. I'm determined to crack this!

and atleast I'll know that with the new tips youve given me It'll be on a fresh install of FO3.

 

[Wishmaster]

I didnt try the one on Nexus so I can not say.

If your modding the game, IMHO:

FOMM, BOSS, and FO3 edit are the main things you need.
I use FOSE as well, and it too disables live.
(the anti-stutter plugin is excellent BTW)

I use FOMM to install the fake live 1st, then FOSE, then the 4GBpatch.
Also FOMM to launch the game (or to launch FOSE in this case)

I just used http://ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php to patch my exe however.
Although, it does the exact same thing as the one on Nexus, there is no software that needs to be installed. Just point to the exe, and patch it.
The downside is that its all it can do. This one is restricted to adding the 4GB flag only. No other features like that program on Nexus does.

-->>Remember, back up the exe, or even better (make a complete copy of your vanilla FO3 folder before you mod anything)

For Hi-Res textures, Im not sure which you use, but Highly reccomend the ones by NMC.
The performance one are likely the best package, as they are higher res than deafualt and look much better.
(I find this one just perfect)
The next one up is the highest, but you must also consider the fact of other mods etc. those to will take an impact on things overall.


One other thing:
Not sure exactly what mods you are using but don't forget to look at these patches:
Fallout Interoperability Program - FOIP at Fallout 3 Nexus - Fallout 3 mods and community

If you use any combantions of these mods, these are excellent resources.

Hope this helps some in resolving your crash issues.

 

[whs]

Just another little tip. If you suspect the pagefile again, check in Resource Monitor > Memory tab how many Hard Faults/sec you have (there is a little graph on the bottom right). If that is negligible, you have to look someplace else for the cause of your problem.

 

[Bazerk83]

Wow. Thank you so much guys, these tips are excellent and I'll definately put them into practice once I'm up and running again!

I just wish I'd come here first before messing with the PF. Thank you so much I really appreciate it, some of this stuff I had no clue about. I thought I'd researched everything lol.

I'll let you know how I get on in the next day or two

 

[profdlp]

Not to distract you from the good advice others have given, just throwing out a little food for thought.

...I haven't done ANYTHING different to my PC today OTHER than the pagefile tweaking. So WHY would it be anything else?...

Microsoft loaded 14 new updates on my computers today. Maybe it has something to do with one of them. I've had no trouble myself, but it wouldn't be the first time that an update caused someone trouble. There are a lot of variables at play in a computer. It's not always a "B" comes after "A" so "A" caused "B" situation.

 

[Wishmaster]

Not to distract you from the good advice others have given, just throwing out a little food for thought.

...I haven't done ANYTHING different to my PC today OTHER than the pagefile tweaking. So WHY would it be anything else?...

Microsoft loaded 14 new updates on my computers today. Maybe it has something to do with one of them. I've had no trouble myself, but it wouldn't be the first time that an update caused someone trouble. There are a lot of variables at play in a computer. It's not always a "B" comes after "A" so "A" caused "B" situation.

Good Point.
Haven't even got around to installing mine yet

 

[Dixon Butz]

Best advice is to make backups daily or before any changes.
I can restore fom a backup in less than 4 mins when I mess up my system.
A good free one is
Macrium Reflect Free - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

My fav is:
Drive Snapshot - Disk Image Backup for Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/X64
I just love the new feature - it is possible to restore the system drive during the next system restart

 

[cluberti]

It's also worth noting that I've seen many people blame Microsoft updates for wierd behavior after the install, only to go back into their event logs and see a myriad of other changes and installs that actually took effect on the reboot (which the updates invariably required). So, in a LOT of cases, it's some other thing that the system did (with or without user interaction) that took effect on the reboot that caused it, not necessarily the updates themselves. Just throwing that out there.

 

[profdlp]

...only to go back into their event logs and see a myriad of other changes and installs that actually took effect on the reboot...

Truly.

When I did computer repair professionally I would always ask people what they had done right before the problem started. Funny how they often seemed to forget teensy-weensy little details like adding RAM, replacing their hard drive, having the sprinklers in their office go off, installing McAfee...