Sys Restore Pts Vanishing – No Pagefile.sys File

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My MS Forum Thread has No Replies, so I’m here.

Win 7 Hm Prem/ ESET ESS AV-FW/ Diskeeper 15 Pro/ FF 40/ IE 11/ MBAM Pro/ SuperAS Pro/ Macrium Reflect v6 ……. I have been regularly losing System Restore Pts, sometimes manually accumulating 11 over 2 weeks and then losing them, or today where one just made disappeared after 24 minutes.

I cannot find the pagefile.sys file usually discussed w/ SR issues & am sure it has vanished, too..

From Googling I’ve only selected (Rt Clk “computer”Properties/Advanced Sys Settings/Advanced/Performance Settings/Advanced/Virtual Mem/Change/”No paging File” and re-booted, then selected System Managed Size again, re-booted. An SR Pt was made and it was gone after checking 24 min later. I did Not do the Defrag /h /c: suggested.

Definitely Not a techie but I can follow specific directions. Any thoughts appreciated !!

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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Unexplained loss of restore points has been a blight in Win 7 which MS has failed to find a solution – at least none that I’ve come across and which could account for why you haven’t had any replies.

Turning System Protection off, rebooting and then turning it back on has been known to work for some – but that’s the extent of any help I can give on this one.

I assume you haven’t been creating any external system images that you could have restored with that may have pre-dated this problem.

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Gone 10/5-10/10 I made a 12th SR Pt on 10/11 and 13th on 10/12.

TODAY NOTHING is there. So it’s NOT Diskeeper.

This is the least covered problem/solution I’ve experienced but I can still make Macrium Images.

Thanks to all for the interest!

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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Gone 10/5-10/10 I made a 12th SR Pt on 10/11 and 13th on 10/12.

TODAY NOTHING is there. So it’s NOT Diskeeper.

This is the least covered problem/solution I’ve experienced but I can still make Macrium Images.

Thanks to all for the interest!

I would wonder if Disk Cleanup is maybe involved in the issue?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/818-disk-cleanup-open-use.html

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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I would wonder if Disk Cleanup is maybe involved in the issue?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/818-disk-cleanup-open-use.html

Thanks for the Reply. In Control panel/Admin Tools/Task Scheduler I don’t see anything relating to Disk Cleanup or Sys restore.
I’ve not run it manually.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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Are you dual booting? Every time you boot to the alternate OS you will lose your System Restore points.

Jerry

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Thanks for the Replies. No Dual Booting –

Regular images are made but like climbing the mountain because it’s there, I’d love to beat / solve this issue.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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If it’s an OEM machine you may have to resort to a factory reset to resolve.

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If it’s an OEM machine you may have to resort to a factory reset to resolve.

I’ve always seen in Device Mgr a 14 GB Recovery Partition which I understand takes the computer back to the day I bought it and I made the Recovery DVD’s suggested. Then, I presume, I’d use a saved Image (Macrium Reflect v6) to bring it back to today.

I’ll think on that but would get a tech person to help me. Thanks again to all.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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It wouldn’t be in Device Manager, it would be in Disk Management – so I assume that was a typo.

There would be no point in factory resetting it if you were just going to bring it back to today which would include the current problem – otherwise you could just restore with that now.

Don’t forget that you will have to back up all of your personal stuff including anything in the Docs and Download folders.

No shortcuts unfortunately, you’ll have to sit through the Windows Updates like the rest of us

What I normally do is reinstall all of the programs I want back on etc. then leave the laptop to download and install the updates before I go to bed as it takes about 9hrs with my download speed – but you need to change the Windows Update settings to Check for but let me choose… and then you can vet the ones you want to install and the ones you want to hide.

For this I run it on AC on High Performance with the battery installed and have the screen display to turn off after a few minutes, but for the laptop to never shutdown.

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I could be speculating but I would disable Diskeeper 15 Pro if possible for a few days. Create a SR point, install a Windows Update and compare results to what has been happening. I don’t use Diskeeper 15 Pro but as a maintenance utility maybe Windows automatic defrag, etc., are causing some conflict.

According to http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/change-how-often-system-restore-creates-restore-points-in-windows-vista/
Windows 7 by default System Restore is set to run at startup. EDIT: and at midnight every day

When it comes to defragging Windows 7 EDIT: is scheduled to run once a week at an early hour in the morning
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/schedule-regular-disk-defragmenter#1TC=windows-7

On the page file issues, maybe Diskeeper 15 Pro is also a factor on how it manages whatever it does to maintain your computer

Moving on to re-installing your Windows 7 if you decide to do so
Safe your data before re-installing
After reinstalling do the Windows Updates as mention
Uninstall bloatware
Install only programs that are most necessary in your mind: For example Microsoft Office 2013
Create a pristine system image backup
Then start using the computer as you normally do
Create system image backups as you have been doing on schedules basis
I do mine monthly.
If you notice something questionable when running a system image backup investigate it immediately

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Not sure about Diskeeper 15 but I have been running Diskeeper 12 for some time now on auto and have never had a SR problem.

Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).

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“Not sure about Diskeeper 15 but I have been running Diskeeper 12 for some time now on auto and have never had a SR problem.”
— That eliminates my speculation and that’s ok.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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CraigS26
“From Googling I’ve only selected (Rt Clk “computer”Properties/Advanced Sys Settings/Advanced/Performance Settings/Advanced/Virtual Mem/Change/”No paging File” and re-booted, then selected System Managed Size again, re-booted. An SR Pt was made and it was gone after checking 24 min later.”
— Does this mean the computer typically runs with “No paging file””?
— So then you check System Managed Size for the default settings but it didn’t hold 24 minutes later and reverts back to “No paging file””?

How much RAM do you have?
— Do you know what the Virtual Memory settings should be?

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Below are answers to some questions posed. When I give up on a fix (close now) I’ll find a computer friend to do the Start-over routine as it’s too scary for my expertise.
The ONLY solution to this situation I’ve read about is (ie) when someone installed an App that contributed/caused the SR Pt loss, and someone posted a Fix.
Never saw a Solution for what I described.
Thanks again!

Does this mean the computer typically runs with “No paging file””? Not as a Setting I made in Virtual Mem Mgt, it’s on System Manage – BUT Now I wonder if there is no Pagefile.sys File, does System Manage Size choice even work?
— So then you check System Managed Size for the default settings but it didn’t hold 24 minutes later and reverts back to “No paging file””?It’s the SR Point that Disappeared after 24 minutes from making it, NOT the “System manage Size” VM Setting.

How much RAM do you have? i5 8G
— Do you know what the Virtual Memory settings should be? I’ve seen some suggested amounts Googling but with System Managed I haven’t paid attention.

There would be no point in factory resetting it if you were just going to bring it back to today which would include the current problem – otherwise you could just restore with that now. I presume the 14G Recovery partition gets it back to day 1 and the Macrium Image would bring it back to Today.
You’re right. It was DISK MGT not DEVICE Mgr that I saw 14G Recovery.

WIN 7 DEFRAG is DISABLED, I Presume by DK 15. I checked System Scheduler Setting.
Ran DK 15 on several settings and cannot prove it’s the cause. DK Sppt swears it’s Not.
I got 11 “Manual” SR Points over 2 weeks on the MILDEST Setting, then Lost Them. It was on the 2nd Mildest when I lost the SR Pt in 24 minutes.
I did Not DISable DK 15 long enough to be sure, so I’ve done that again.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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CraigS26 try one more thing
Check Automatically manage paging file size for all drives instead of using system managed size
42126-Virtual-Memory-setting

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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CraigS26 try one more thing
Check Automatically manage paging file size for all drives instead of using system managed size
42126-Virtual-Memory-setting

Just set it. Thanks!

It will be a Good Problem But IF I keep making SR Pts and they stay, I won’t know if it’s DISabling DK 15 or THIS suggestion you made. Reversing either of them one-at-a-time would be the next step to see which Reversal starts the disappearing act again. I only pursued DK Sppt because in 2011 a guy posted that he ran a “manual” DK Defrag and Lost His SR Points in the process. No other signs of DK mischief- will be surprised if it’s DK.
making a 3rd SR Pt this a.m. since DISabling DK 15.

Thanks again! Will update soon..

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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With DK Off since 9/22 and Manage Paging File Size for ALL DRIVES since 9/23 I just made the 9th SR Pt.
I’ll have to go at least 2 more weeks to feel confident of some success – AND PRESUME – that should my 45 GB (1 TB Hd Drive) Allotted Space for SR Pts gets Exceeded, the most recent SR Pt DELETES the oldest.

I’ll then Re-Chk System Manage (vs current Mng All Drives) and see what happens for awhile, and IF all is well, I’ll ask Diskeeper Sppt for a methodology that they would endorse to help prove -IF – any future Loss of SR Pts is because of DK 15.

Thanks again to all for your interest! Updates to follow when relevant.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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Thanks for the update: Good luck

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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I would first check how much space you have left on your C: drive. Windows automatically deletes restore points when it gets down to a certain level. I believe some of that is handled under Advanced System Settings, yes, but after that at around 20 Gigs of space left, Windows will drop hibersys, restores, and of course will slow down noticeably.

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I would first check how much space you have left on your C: drive. Windows automatically deletes restore points when it gets down to a certain level. I believe some of that is handled under Advanced System Settings, yes, but after that at around 20 Gigs of space left, Windows will drop hibersys, restores, and of course will slow down noticeably.

On a 1 TB C: Drive and Tons of Unused space I have 45 GB allotted for System Restore.
13 SR pts COULD approach 45 GB.
I have read that the SR Point that exceeds the 45 GB Limit DELETES the Oldest SR Pt.
That function could mutate to Delete ALL – BUT I know of no way to prove it does – Having Lost All Pts after just a few SR pts were made casts Doubt on “available space” being the culprit.

I’m giving up as it’s clear MS doesn’t consider it worthy of addressing. Maybe one day I’ll read something, try it, and it’s fixed.
In late Spring after Win 10 gets thru the shake-down cruise I’ll go to it, anyway.

Thanks to all!

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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Well, there goes that theory. All that’s left is the “90 days”, but that wouldn’t apply to you…

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Post 1 “I have been regularly losing System Restore Pts, sometimes manually accumulating 11 over 2 weeks and then losing them, or today where one just made disappeared after 24 minutes.”

On “today where one just made disappeared after 24 minutes”
— When that happened, did all other restore points stay intact?

On “regularly losing System Restore Pts, sometimes manually accumulating 11 over 2 weeks and then losing them”
— Myself I’m going to manually create System Restore point for 14 full days and see what happens
— Report due Fri 10/30: sooner if an issue comes up
After that I’ll decrease the disk space usage to less than the minimal setting in place, repeat the same daily manual restore points and see what happens
— Report due Fri 11/13: sooner if an issue comes up

CraigS26 would you consider tracking your system restore information for a full 14 days without creating any manual system restore points? Just let the computer run its own course.

Here is the information for my computer and System Restore information
— If you or anyone else has a recommendation to add another bit of information please let me know
— If the testing I’m willing to do is insignificant or a waste of time, please let me know why

Computer: HP Compaq 6000 Pro Win 7 Pro SP1 desktop 160GB HDD 4GB RAM
Date 10/17/15 System restore information on this computer

1. Configured information:
Restore settings: System protection can keep copies of system settings and previous versions of files.
NOTE: I do not use
Select what you would like to be able to restore:
>>> Restore system settings and previous versions of files <<<
Disk Space Usage: 2.15 GB
Max Usage: 5% (7.24 GB)

2. System restore points: 5

3. Virtual memory advanced tab: Total paging file size for all drives: 3543 MB
Clicking on change provides the following virtual memory information:
Automatically manage paging file size for all drives is checked
Further down the page, the total paging file size for all drives information is:
Minimum allowed: 16 MB
Recommended: 5314 MB
Currently allocated: 3543 MB

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Post 1 “I have been regularly losing System Restore Pts, sometimes manually accumulating 11 over 2 weeks and then losing them, or today where one just made disappeared after 24 minutes.”

On “today where one just made disappeared after 24 minutes”
— When that happened, did all other restore points stay intact?
On Sep 17 with NO SR Pt showing I made one nets (1); that afternoon it was Gone; Made one at 2:10 pm nets (1) and at 2:34 pm it was GONE.

On “regularly losing System Restore Pts, sometimes manually accumulating 11 over 2 weeks and then losing them”
— Myself I’m going to manually create System Restore point for 14 full days and see what happens
— Report due Fri 10/30: sooner if an issue comes up — OK
After that I’ll decrease the disk space usage to less than the minimal setting in place, repeat the same daily manual restore points and see what happens
— Report due Fri 11/13: sooner if an issue comes up — OK

CraigS26 would you consider tracking your system restore information for a full 14 days without creating any manual system restore points? Just let the computer run its own course.
Sure, although I think SR only makes an Auto Pt 7 days after no other SR Pt has been made.
Here is the information for my computer and System Restore information
— If you or anyone else has a recommendation to add another bit of information please let me know
— If the testing I’m willing to do is insignificant or a waste of time, please let me know why

Computer: HP Compaq 6000 Pro Win 7 Pro SP1 desktop 160GB HDD 4GB RAM — Gateway 4860-UB33P/ i5 / 8 GB RAM
Date 10/17/15 System restore information on this computer

1. Configured information:
Restore settings: System protection can keep copies of system settings and previous versions of files.
NOTE: I do not use
Select what you would like to be able to restore:
>>> Restore system settings and previous versions of files <<< THIS is Chk'd for me
Disk Space Usage: 2.15 GB — I'm at 15.97 Gb with an Auto-made SR Pt, Macrium reflect Ver Upgrade Pt, Win Update SR Pt nets 3
Max Usage: 5% (7.24 GB) — My 5% shows 45.87 GB — I believe when 45.87 GB is exceeded the System Deletes the Oldest SR Pt to make room for the newest

2. System restore points: 5 — I'm 3 per above

3. Virtual memory advanced tab: Total paging file size for all drives: 3543 MB ( I CANNOT FIND pagefile.sys )
Clicking on change provides the following virtual memory information:
Automatically manage paging file size for all drives is checked —- Me Too
Further down the page, the total paging file size for all drives information is:
Minimum allowed: 16 MB — Me Too
Recommended: 5314 MB —– I'm 12144 MB
Currently allocated: 3543 MB —- I'm 8396 MB

—–

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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Thanks for the excellent feedback

On the “NO SR Pt showing”: how did that happen?

On the “I CANNOT FIND pagefile.sys”: Are you looking for C:pagefile.sys?
I checked my Win7 desktop, laptop and my brother’s desktop as well as my friends Win8.1 desktop
— C:pagefile.sys isn’t on any of them.

I did a search for “cannot find pagefile.sys” and haven’t found a single solution regardless of the situation at hand
This one doesn’t apply to your situation but maybe you’ll see something you can pick up on
*Solved* Cannot find Pagefile.sys on C Drive.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1449038/solved-cannot-find-pagefile-sys-on-c-drive
BTW I didn’t recognize what the solution is.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Thanks for the excellent feedback

On the “NO SR Pt showing”: how did that happen?
On 9/10 my notes show 11 SR Pts were there. On 9/14 ONLY 1 Pt auto-made was there, so All from 9/10 were lost and the SR function then made one. Up til 9/17 there were up to 3 SR Pts made , one auto-made by SR, that disappeared only to have me manually make more. Just a series of manually create and disappearances. I was changing DK settings for some but since I lost them with DK Off that is now moot.

On the “I CANNOT FIND pagefile.sys”: Are you looking for C:pagefile.sys? YES, but have never found anything per the Link you provided below.
I checked my Win7 desktop, laptop and my brother’s desktop as well as my friends Win8.1 desktop
— C:pagefile.sys isn’t on any of them.

I did a search for “cannot find pagefile.sys” and haven’t found a single solution regardless of the situation at hand
This one doesn’t apply to your situation but maybe you’ll see something you can pick up on
*Solved* Cannot find Pagefile.sys on C Drive.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1449038/solved-cannot-find-pagefile-sys-on-c-drive
BTW I didn’t recognize what the solution is. — I recognize that from Googling. I tried this to no avail…..”By temporarily turning off virtual memory, you allow yourself to delete the (now-corrupt) paging file. Then when you re-enable virtual memory, Windows automatically builds a new paging file from scratch, and voilà, problem solved.”

Thanks for the interest but I have no faith in out-guessing MS’s devious SR design.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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MIght be a good time to backup your files and do a clean install, if you can.

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The way I get to the VM on my Win 7 laptop is to go Start – right click on Computer and select Properties.

Click on Advanced system settings in the upper left pane then under Performance, click on Settings then on the Advanced tab.

Clicking on Change will allow you to see that the Auto box is checked and unchecking it will allow you to manually to change the VM values.

However, have a read through this article to see if yours has been set to No Pagefile or moved to a different partition.

http://www.worldstart.com/move-your-windows-7-pagefile-to-a-new-location/

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MIght be a good time to backup your files and do a clean install, if you can. I use Macrium Reflect regularly. With No Win CD’s from a Best Buy purchase going back to Day 1 with a recovery Partition is all I could do, I think, Vs Clean Install.

The way I get to the VM on my Win 7 laptop is to go Start – right click on Computer and select Properties.

Click on Advanced system settings in the upper left pane then under Performance, click on Settings then on the Advanced tab.

Clicking on Change will allow you to see that the Auto box is checked and unchecking it will allow you to manually to change the VM values.

However, have a read through this article to see if yours has been set to No Pagefile or moved to a different partition.

http://www.worldstart.com/move-your-windows-7-pagefile-to-a-new-location/ Thanks.With a 1 TB Drive – Space is not an issue – performance would be. I use Two WD backup Drives for Images but I Dis-connect them often and right now don’t think I’m a [PageFile on another drive] guy.

Text here to satisfy Too Few Characters to post.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

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If there is a recovery partition, then you will be given a choice for doing a clean install to Factory. Or, there are lots of places to download a Windows ISO for burning to DVD or USB (using Rufus), and entering your own serial number.

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I use Two WD backup Drives for Images but I Dis-connect them often and right now don’t think I’m a [PageFile on another drive] guy.

I also prefer 2 HDDs, presently have computers with 250GB and 500GB, 250GB and 500GB and 320GB and 320GB, also all WDC. I usually have a noticeable performance improvement by putting 2GB on the C:/boot drive [for benefit of some programs] and 1.5 times the physical RAM on the D: drive. I also like 2 ODDs in a computer, kind of a redundancy thing since they can be had for $20 from Newegg.

An advantage of the custom setting of the same max. and min. size is the paging file isn’t fragmented, not scattered around the HDD which can improve access time a bit.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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An advantage of the custom setting of the same max. and min. size is the paging file isn’t fragmented, not scattered around the HDD which can improve access time a bit.

Yes, but only if one sets the paging file manually right after a fresh Windows install, when there is unfragmented space available. If one were to do the same thing a few months after installation, the system would hunt all over for space, thereby negating the benefits.

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My post #23
“Myself I’m going to manually create System Restore point for 14 full days and see what happens
— Report due Fri 10/30: sooner if an issue comes up”
Everything ran normal which is what I expected

“After that I’ll decrease the disk space usage to less than the minimal setting in place, repeat the same daily manual restore points and see what happens
— Report due Fri 11/13: sooner if an issue comes up”
I don’t expect any issues so I’m going to eliminate this one

I might have missed it but what happens if you don’t create any manual restore points for at least full month which include Windows Updates?

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Win 7 will only create an auto restore point if one hasn’t been create in the last 7 days, but then only when the machine has been idle for 10 mins.

This article will give more info on the conditions of that. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/change-how-often-system-restore-creates-restore-points-in-windows-vista/

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