I am having the exact same problem. This follows on the heals of extensive problems getting the CD/ROM RW and DVD to work. Performance really stinks now and the paging file will not adjust manually either.

If there is a fix short of wiping the hard drive and doing a "clean install" I'd like to know.

Did you problem also follow doing the "free" but not painless upgrade from Windows ME?

Oh ok, maybe I should reinstall my CDRW drivers or something. I am trying to call dell but they are always busy it seems. Hopefully we can both solve this problem....if I find a way to do it, I'll post.

problems with the paging file seem common, and that is very likely causing you computer to run slow, so you don't need to reformat or reinstall the cdrw drivers. i have read different articles and posts regarding this issue. try posting in the xp forum about problems with the paging file and slow system. as far as i know the paging file is the same as virtual memory and it should be set to let the windows manage it. someone will help you straighten out this problem.

having problems with paging files. When it boots up it says no paging file. I try to change the file size and it will not take the change. i log on as a administrator and restart the comp but no luck HELP
Jerry