Paged Pool Memory Problem

[Simplee]

All PC games constantly "freezing"

Hey guys, I have the same problem as DeusExMachina1, and I think it's because my Paged Pool Memory is exceeding 150MB.
I don't know what is causing my system to exceed 150MB.
Do you guys have any ideas?

[Tiber Septim]

Hi Simplee, welcome to TSF.

I've moved you to a new thread, we prefer to keep members problems separate as the problems may not be related and it creates confusion.

As for the Paged Pool Memory exceeding 150MB, did you try following the steps outlined here?
From Steam Support

Paged Pool Memory Issues (Looping Sound Crash)
These crashes are most commonly a result of running out of a special type of memory called paged pool memory. Paged pool memory is allocated by the OS kernel for use in applications such as Direct3D resources. Running out of paged pool memory can result in Direct3D crashes (a.k.a. game crashes) and in the Steam.exe process using 100% of the processor. In some cases you may get an error message stating there is an issue with paged pool memory and/or there will be black textures and missing models. In most cases, you will not see any such error message - your game will simply crash and the sound will loop.
How to check your paged pool memory

1. Download and extract Process Explorer.
2. Run Process Explorer. Press CTRL + i to bring up the System Information window.
3. Run the game in a window.
* Go to Steam's My games menu.
* Right-click on the problematic game.
* Select Properties > General > Set launch options.
* Add -sw to the launch options.
* Launch the game.
4. Watch the System Information > Kernel Memory (K) > Paged Physical value. If the value exceeds 150MB, you are using too much paged pool memory.


Resolving paged pool memory issues
If you have determined that your system is using too much paged pool memory, you can resolve the issue by closing processes that are using paged pool memory. You may determine which processes are using paged pool memory by watching the Paged Physical value as you close a process. Make note of those that result in the Paged Physical value dropping. Anti-virus and security applications are known to use large amounts of paged pool memory and will not release the memory when the game calls for it, resulting in a crash. Printer software/drivers have also been known to use a significant amount of paged pool memory at times.


Checking for a Paged Pool Memory Lock
Some systems may have a lock on their paged pool memory due to a setting in the boot.ini file. This can also be a cause of crashes due to the system not allocating enough paged pool memory to use for games like Team Fortress 2. To check this setting, please follow these directions:

Note: editing system files can have adverse effects on your system's stability and performance. If you are not comfortable editing system files, please contact your system manufacturer for assistance.

1. Click "Start"
2. Select "Run"
3. Type in msconfig and press enter
4. In the System Configuration Utility, click the BOOT.INI tab
5. Look for the following line: /3GB /Userva=2900 - If your system does not have this setting, you can stop here

Please proceed to the Advanced Troubleshooting section below if your boot.ini file does not have this setting. Otherwise:

1. If you see the line /3GB /Userva=2900, please close the System Configuration Utility
2. Open "My Computer" and navigate to the base of the hard drive that has your operating system installed on it (C:\ by default)
3. Locate the boot.ini file (you will most likely need "view hidden files and folders" turned on in Folder Options -> View order to see the file)
4. Open the boot.ini with Notepad
5. Remove the line /3GB /Userva=2900
6. Save the boot.ini file and then reboot your computer
7. Try running the game

By removing the paged pool memory lock, your system will be able to allocate the memory necessary for the game.

[Simplee]

Hello everyone
I am having a problem with cod4, and other games like Counter Strike Source as well. It runs with no problem, but when I enter in a game it ends up freezing for 30sec-1min. I searched around for a while and I found out that I have a paged pool memory problem. Steam's troubleshoot guide forwarded me to downloading a program called process explorer. It showed me my "Paged Physical", and its approx. 197,000MB~250,000Mb. Steam recommends that it should not be over 150MB.
I have tried everything to lower it, including uninstalling my AVG virus protector.
Defrags, and uninstalling other progams have not worked.
So if anybody has any idea, sharing would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time

[Tiber Septim]

I think you mean 197,000KB ~ 250,000KB, using 250GB for paging is just ridiculous.

Could you please press Ctrl+Alt+Del to open up you Task Manager.
Then select 'View' -> 'Select Columns'.
You should see a box called 'Paged Pool', check it then close that window.

Then please take a screen shot of the 'Processes' tab of the Task Manager and upload it here so we can determine what might be causing the problem.

[Aus_Karlos]

The only time Steam is up at ~200,000kb is when its downloading a client steam update, which a new update has been released (Was some time during the week).
This one for some reason caused problems for me, as steam would not respond every 5-10secs and would stay around 200,000kb (attempting to update).

If you have a similar situation the best thing is to close down steam and close the "Steam Services" in the task manager and go to www.steampowered.com to get the latest client.

[Simplee]

I think you mean 197,000KB ~ 250,000KB, using 250GB for paging is just ridiculous.

Whoops, I'm sorry. I meant KB, not MB.

Here is the screen of the task manager:



and yes, I have tried all of the solutions that Steam suggested.
I do not have a memory lock in the boot.ini file,
and I usually close all of my applications before playing the game.
In the screenshot I have AIM and Fire Fox as well as some other things running.
But I did not have them running while starting the game, and I also unplugged my printer and external hard drive. It didn't really seem to have made a difference.
I also have checked the Paged Pool Memory with "Process Explorer" and it indicates that it is indeed above 150.

Thanks for the warm welcome and replies!


Edit//

The only time Steam is up at ~200,000kb is when its downloading a client steam update, which a new update has been released (Was some time during the week).
This one for some reason caused problems for me, as steam would not respond every 5-10secs and would stay around 200,000kb (attempting to update).

If you have a similar situation the best thing is to close down steam and close the "Steam Services" in the task manager and go to www.steampowered.com to get the latest client.

Well, this problem also occurs when I am playing Call of Duty 4, and I had Steam fully closed when I was running COD. So I don't think it's an update error that I'm getting.

[Simplee]

Sorry for double post, but can anybody help?

[Aus_Karlos]

Originally Posted by Simplee

Well, this problem also occurs when I am playing Call of Duty 4, and I had Steam fully closed when I was running COD. So I don't think it's an update error that I'm getting.

COD 4 requires much more memory than steam even paged memory. It would be using around 100MB-500MB of paged memory when fully loaded into the game possibly more.

Have you tried downloading the new steam client and installing a new steam client over an existing one (Without uninstalling), this will not delete any of your games under steam.

[Tiber Septim]

Sorry for my late reply.

If Aus_Karlos' suggestion doesn't help there are a few other things we can try.
First though, I just thought I'd clarify - basically the problem is that all of your games are constantly 'freezing' for a few moments, then continuing as if nothing was wrong.
Does that sound right?

Also, please post your full system specs so we know what we are working with.
Go to the 'System Specs' link in my signature to find all the information we need.

Lastly, please download CoreTemp and GPU-Z (in my signature) and check the temperatures of each component when the system is idle (Sensor tab in GPU-Z).
Then load up a game for a few minutes, quit out then check the temperatures again.
Please post both sets of figures back here.

[Simplee]

I just thought I'd clarify - basically the problem is that all of your games are constantly 'freezing' for a few moments, then continuing as if nothing was wrong.
Does that sound right?

Correct


System specification:

* Power Supply – brand, model, size (watts) and, most importantly, number of amps on +12V rail(s).

* Motherboard – Board: Acer WMCP78M
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD R01-A2S3 07/29/2008

* CPU – 2.50 gigahertz AMD Athlon X2 4850e Dual Core
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache

* RAM – 3838 MB DDR2

* Video Card(s) – NVIDIA Geforce 8200, PCI Total Approx. Mem 1904MB

* Hard Drive(s) – ACER, SATA Capacity: 140GB, external: MAXTOR One Touch, Capacity 232GB

* Operating System - Windows Vista x64bit

Here is before I run the game:


and after:





Sorry if it's a little messy
Unfortunately I couldn't get the Power supply.
Is there a way to find out without opening the computer? and is it necessary information?


Thanks

[Aus_Karlos]

Nope, you need to open the case of your PC in order to get the required information from the sticker that is located on the side of the PSU. There are no plugs leading from the PSU to the motherboard that are for proper monitoring (you may get a fan sensor).