'Physical memory dump' & 'virtual memory too low'? (Win XP)

Question

Recently Windows XP seems to have been giving me trouble.  Whenever I run a spyware scan (Webroot Spy Sweeper), it makes other tasks run incredibly slow, even something simple like typing in Word.  Also, I have recently started getting notices saying that my ' Virtual memory is too low'.  Then -- and I'm not sure if this is related, but I wonder if it is -- the other night I suddenly got a blue screen which said that Windows was engaging in a ' Physical memory dump', and that if this was the first time this happened I should simply restart the computer.  Which I did, and everything rebooted okay.  But I am worried that something is now seriously going wrong with my Windows.  Could anyone advise me as to what might be going on, and what I should do about it?  Thank you very much. Message Edited by OBeigleighinn on 10-09-2006 07:54 PM

Data001 · Answer

Without a doubt, this issue is the result of low resources. No, your hard drive is not too small, and No, you don't necessarily need more memory (RAM). If you've made sure you've done your general maintenance (disk cleanup, defrag, etc.) and the issue is still occurring, there may be too many programs that start up when you start your computer. You can use MSConfig to clean up the background apps and services that are loaded at startup. (Note: I recommend hiding the MS services prior to making changes  to any services listed if you are new to the tool.) Did you know that applications that are set up to run in the background on your system are actually loaded before Windows? Resources can become so overwhelmed that the system will refuse to start in any mode other than Safe Mode. Also, you might want to check the condition of the system global template (file used by all programs that can load a 'blank page'). Make sure you close all applications before making these modifications. If you have MS Word installed, the file will be called 'normal.dot' and will be located in the C:\Documents and Settings\ 'Username' \Application Data (this is a hidden folder)\Microsoft\Templates folder. If this file is anything other than 29KB (actual range can be from 29-32KB) delete it and any temp copies of this file that may be listed (these would be indicated by ~$ at the beginning of the file name). Also, if winword8.doc can be found at C:\Windows\Shellnew, delete it, too. Corruption of the global template can wreck havoc with program/system performance, and deleting these two files will NOT cause any system damage whatsoever. In fact, the system will create a corrected copy the next time MS Word is opened (which you will want to do as a final step for resolving your issue). If all of this does nothing to help you with your issue, run a hard drive diagnostic test.

Data001 · Answer

Ok, the message MS Word pops up is verification we are on the right track! Yay! Don't worry much about MSConfig just yet, use of it can be pretty complicated for a novice, and the forum doesn't exactly make the best approach to using the tool. For now, let's just address the global template and see how far we get, eh? find 'normal.dot' (.doc?) and its temp files, and 'winword8.doc' and delete them outright - yes Message Edited by Data001 on 10-10-2006 12:47 AM

OBeigleighinn · Answer

Thanks for that, very much.  Some of this is a little over my head.  But let me begin at the beginning.  I have not done a disk cleanup or defrag-- how would I do these (perhaps you could include a link to another thread for this if you don't feel like explaining)?   However, my gut feeling is that like you said there are too many things running at once.  How would I run MSConfig in that case?   Also, regarding the global template-- there have been several times, and the last time was right after I got that blue screen, that Word has said something like 'Changes have been made which affect the global template, would you like to save them?'  To which I always reply NO.  But, I would not be surprised if, as you say, the global template has indeed been corrupted.  I realize you have given some files to look for-- so you're saying I should find 'normal.dot' (.doc?) and its temp files, and 'winword8.doc' and delete them outright?   Thank you again, and I hope to hear further if you are able...

OBeigleighinn · Answer

Thanks for that-- I will do so shortly.  I just wanted to clarify, why are those files there at all if it's okay to just delete them?  Just want to make sure I'm not deleting anything necessary for Word...

OBeigleighinn · Answer

OK, you seem to have been totally right about normal.dot and winword8.doc.  normal was not 29KB as preferable, but was actually 229KB!  There was also one normal.dot temp file.  Now deleted, along with winword8.  Do you think this actually could have been causing the lack of available memory though?   Anyway, I'm going to re-open Word now and assume it will create a new normal.dot.   Thank you again.

Data001 · Answer

Guess I can grant you don't have any real reason to put faith in my instructions, lol. However, for clarification: The file Winword2.doc is created by WordPad which is included with Windows. This is the original 'global template'. WordPad has little claim to being a word processing powerhouse, and most folks will install a more flexible application like WordPerfect or MS Word. MS Word takes advantage of it's close association with Windows, and replaces the Winword2.doc (original template) with 'normal.dot', complete with the necessary changes to allow all Windows based apps to take advantage of the 'better' template. However, when 'normal' isn't normal anymore, and the system begins to choke on a bloated or corrupted copy, it may elect to attempt using the WordPad template again, and in the attempt will create another file, called Winword8.doc. This file will attempt to override the issues with normal.dot, albeit usually with very little success and usually adds to the system stress. Clear as mud? =) Besides, like I said, when you open MS Word after you've deleted the file, it will create a clean copy automatically. =) There's some sad news, too, when you feel ready to accept it... let me know when you've deleted the files, and we'll see if you're still willing to listen to me. =) You can even check to make sure the file gets re-created, lol.

Data001 · Answer

The sad news won't change even if you don't follow my advice. Hopefully you have not been uploading any of your recent documents to a server for sharing because the files you've created while the template has been corrupt are also corrupt. This can be corrected but can be time consuming. If other computers on a network open those files, their systems are at risk for the same issue - their own templates may become corrupt. The fix? First you need to be able to at least approximate the date the issues began. You will need to open each document created since that date and use 'save as' instead of save to save each file with a new name, then delete the original. I've found the most efficient way is to add a 1 to the name of each of the files that need to be saved with the clean template copy. If you're on a network, make sure you upload the clean copies ASAP. Sad, no?

Data001 · Answer

You'll need to make sure that hidden files are exposed to find the Application Data folder under your username folder. To do this, open My Computer, click Tools, Folder Options, View (tab) and move the dot under the folder called Hidden files and folders to Show hidden files and folders.

OBeigleighinn · Answer

No worries about the file-sharing-- I have not shared any files at all or uploaded to a server from this computer. Thanks for that, and for all.  If I don't hear from you again I'll post on this thread again if I still have problems. Much appreciation...

OBeigleighinn · Answer

Just out of curiosity-- although Word seems to work fine after deleting normal.dot, I thought a new normal.dot was supposed to be created.  But when I go to the location of the deleted file it'd not there, the folder is empty?... Just wondering if this is a problem.  (I'm paranoid?) Thanks again.

OBeigleighinn · Answer

I didn't mean to impugn your credibility or anything! Just trying to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing.  I get you...     At any rate, I am deleting those.  Should I not know the 'sad' news beforehand?

Data001 · Answer

You're welcome! :smileywink:

Data001 · Answer

Inasmuch as I know that these files affect all Windows based applications that can open a blank page, yes, I do believe it could have been the cause of your 'Physical Memory Dump' Blue Screen error. The memory dump doesn't refer to actual memory. It refers to dumping the files that were recorded in another folder specific to the error itself (all written in technical jargon), which may behoove you to check as well, to keep that error from repeating itself if the file wasn't cleared correctly. Go to C:\Windows\Minidump. Delete all files found in this folder, but do not delete the folder itself. These are the error files that are collected and sent to MS if you click send. Most folks elect to 'don't send' which is a perfectly legitimate choice and shouldn't affect the folder, but sometimes the files don't clear out like they should. Deleting these files will ensure that the error doesn't repeat just because the collection file exists (even after the problem itself has been resolved).   If you still want to do a disk cleanup and defrag, here are the steps: 1. Disable antivirus software. (Usually you can simply right click the antivirus icon in the system tray (bottom right corner of the screen) and then click 'disable'. This is a temporary change which will reset when you restart your computer - you'll want to reboot when all is said and done). 2. Turn off any screen savers. (Right click the desktop where no icons exist, left click properties, go to the screensaver tab, open the drop-down list for optional screen savers, scroll to the top of the list and click 'none', then click apply and OK. 3. Click Start\All Programs\Accessories\System Tools\Disk Cleanup. (Fairly obvious how to begin - it will take a minute to calculate the amount of hard drive space that can be recovered. It's a safe guide to put a check mark on anything that has a number higher than 1000 on the right. You can elect to keep the setup files by not selecting that option. Click OK to begin the cleanup. 4. After a Disk Cleanup, run Disk Defragmenter, also found in Accessories\System Tools. If you choose Analyze, the system will calculate how much fragmentation has occurred and offer it's recommendation. Click Defragment to start the process. Your system will not be available for the duration of the process, and the size of the drive and the amount of data stored affects how long it will take. My rule of thumb is Disk Cleanup once a week and a Defrag once a month.

Data001 · Answer

Did you close MS Word before looking for the file? It may still be being held in RAM until the program is closed. Glad to know the program isn't giving you any more lumps in the road to jump over. =)

OBeigleighinn · Answer

Ah, that was it-- Word was open when I looked.  Closed it, checked again, and the new 'normal' is indeed there, and 29KB...   I emptied out the mini-dump, and will do a disc clean-up and defrag soon.  I.e. tomorrow-- it's getting late.  I thank you again very much for all your help.  It is truly appreciated....

Windows General

"Physical memory dump" & "virtual memory too low"? (Win XP)

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