cannot turn off hibernation to remove hiberfil.sys

Running Windows Server 2008 Standard Service Pack 1 on a machine that does
not support hibernation, I have a 2048GB hiberfil.sys (equal to the amount of
memory) and I wish to remove it to save space.

The article below states the step necessary to disable hibernation.


Following these steps, this returns an error shown below:

C:\Users\Administrator>powercfg.exe /hibernate off
Hibernation failed with the following error: The request is not supported.

The following items are preventing hibernation on this system.
An internal system component has disabled hibernation.

I have tried the following combinations and all fail in the same manner.

C:\Users\Administrator>powercfg.exe /hibernate off
C:\Users\Administrator>powercfg.exe -hibernate off
C:\Users\Administrator>powercfg.exe -h off
C:\Users\Administrator>powercfg.exe /h off

I am using a command prompt as an administrator. If I were not an using an
admin command prompt, it would return this error:
You do not have permission to enable or disable the Hibernate feature.

If I am using Windows Vista Ultimate, this file is easy to delete. I can use
the Disk Cleanup option and it will automatically modify my power settings to
disable this option and delete the file.

I have the Desktop experience enabled as a feature and Disk Cleanup now
appears, but this does not show the option to delete this file.

I have seen some posts that refer to problems with the graphics drivers as a
cause for problems with hibernation. This makes sense as you need to be able
re-initialize the graphics card correctly when resuming from hibernate. I do
currently have a graphics card that is reporting problems (Error Code 43). I
hasn't caused me any problems in using my computer. I have the latest drivers
for my graphics card (3/27/2009). I don't know if this issue is related, only
a thoery. I still would like to diable hibernate regardless of my problem
with my graphics card.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jordan

 

"Jordan" <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0DCA5304-9D44-4449-9636-BF8317F5F51E@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Running Windows Server 2008 Standard Service Pack 1 on a machine that does
> not support hibernation, I have a 2048GB hiberfil.sys (equal to the amount
> of
> memory) and I wish to remove it to save space.
>
> The article below states the step necessary to disable hibernation.
>
>
> Following these steps, this returns an error shown below:
>
> C:UsersAdministrator>powercfg.exe /hibernate off
> Hibernation failed with the following error: The request is not supported.
>
> The following items are preventing hibernation on this system.
> An internal system component has disabled hibernation.
>
> I have tried the following combinations and all fail in the same manner.
>
> C:UsersAdministrator>powercfg.exe /hibernate off
> C:UsersAdministrator>powercfg.exe -hibernate off
> C:UsersAdministrator>powercfg.exe -h off
> C:UsersAdministrator>powercfg.exe /h off
>
> I am using a command prompt as an administrator. If I were not an using an
> admin command prompt, it would return this error:
> You do not have permission to enable or disable the Hibernate feature.
>
> If I am using Windows Vista Ultimate, this file is easy to delete. I can
> use
> the Disk Cleanup option and it will automatically modify my power settings
> to
> disable this option and delete the file.
>
> I have the Desktop experience enabled as a feature and Disk Cleanup now
> appears, but this does not show the option to delete this file.
>
> I have seen some posts that refer to problems with the graphics drivers as
> a
> cause for problems with hibernation. This makes sense as you need to be
> able
> re-initialize the graphics card correctly when resuming from hibernate. I
> do
> currently have a graphics card that is reporting problems (Error Code 43).
> I
> hasn't caused me any problems in using my computer. I have the latest
> drivers
> for my graphics card (3/27/2009). I don't know if this issue is related,
> only
> a thoery. I still would like to diable hibernate regardless of my problem
> with my graphics card.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Jordan<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Since hibernation is already turned off, you should delete the hibernation
file by other means, e.g. by booting the machine with a Bart PE boot CD and
getting rid of the file. If you're concerned that this might cause other
problems, rename it only as a first step, then see what happens.

 

<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Since hibernation is already turned off, you should delete the hibernation
> file by other means, e.g. by booting the machine with a Bart PE boot CD and
> getting rid of the file. If you're concerned that this might cause other
> problems, rename it only as a first step, then see what happens.
>
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I tried renaming it first, but it's in-use. It's actually created each time
the computer boots to Windows, it's not there when you boot to a command
prompt.
So this would suggest that Hibernation is still enabled, but something, as
the error message suggest an "internal system component" disables hibenation
after boot but doesn't remove the file or prevent creation of the file.

See the dir listing when booting from a command prompt:

Directory of C:\

01/19/2008 02:45 AM <DIR> $Recycle.Bin
03/13/2009 10:50 AM <DIR> Actipro Software
09/18/2006 03:43 PM 24 autoexec.bat
01/01/2002 02:58 AM <DIR> Boot
01/19/2008 01:45 AM 333,203 bootmgr
01/01/2002 02:58 AM 8,192 BOOTSECT.BAK
09/18/2006 03:43 PM 10 config.sys
01/19/2008 05:48 AM <JUNCTION> Documents and Settings [C:\Users]
02/15/2009 03:17 AM <DIR> inetpub
02/22/2009 12:37 AM <DIR> MSOCache
02/15/2009 02:58 AM <DIR> NVIDIA
05/02/2009 12:13 PM 2,460,041,216 pagefile.sys
01/19/2008 03:40 AM <DIR> PerfLogs
04/30/2009 03:00 AM <DIR> Program Files
04/28/2009 12:56 PM <DIR> ProgramData
04/22/2009 01:17 AM <DIR> symbols
04/06/2009 10:52 PM <DIR> System Volume Information
03/13/2009 10:36 AM <DIR> Users
04/17/2009 06:48 PM <DIR> VSS
04/21/2009 12:02 AM <DIR> websymbols
05/02/2009 12:14 PM <DIR> Windows
03/24/2009 06:05 PM <DIR> WINSSLog

Directory of C:\

5 File(s) 2,460,382,645 bytes
18 Dir(s) 6,441,037,824 bytes free

C:\>

Then after booting to windows and then running the same command prompt:

C:\>dir *.* /A DHSR
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is E84A-6037

Directory of C:\

01/19/2008 02:45 AM <DIR> $Recycle.Bin
03/13/2009 10:50 AM <DIR> Actipro Software
09/18/2006 03:43 PM 24 autoexec.bat
01/01/2002 02:58 AM <DIR> Boot
01/19/2008 01:45 AM 333,203 bootmgr
01/01/2002 02:58 AM 8,192 BOOTSECT.BAK
09/18/2006 03:43 PM 10 config.sys
01/19/2008 05:48 AM <JUNCTION> Documents and Settings [C:\Users]
05/02/2009 12:19 PM 2,146,226,176 hiberfil.sys
02/15/2009 03:17 AM <DIR> inetpub
02/22/2009 12:37 AM <DIR> MSOCache
02/15/2009 02:58 AM <DIR> NVIDIA
05/02/2009 12:19 PM 2,460,041,216 pagefile.sys
01/19/2008 03:40 AM <DIR> PerfLogs
04/30/2009 03:00 AM <DIR> Program Files
04/28/2009 12:56 PM <DIR> ProgramData
04/22/2009 01:17 AM <DIR> symbols
04/06/2009 10:52 PM <DIR> System Volume Information
03/13/2009 10:36 AM <DIR> Users
04/17/2009 06:48 PM <DIR> VSS
04/21/2009 12:02 AM <DIR> websymbols
05/02/2009 12:14 PM <DIR> Windows
03/24/2009 06:05 PM <DIR> WINSSLog

Directory of C:\

6 File(s) 4,606,608,821 bytes
18 Dir(s) 4,276,563,968 bytes free

Thanks for the suggestion, but it's not going work for me.

Hey Windows 2008, gimme my 2GB back from a feature I'm not even using!
I know this is only 2GB, and these days 2GB is nothing to most. My first
hard drive was a 20 Megabyte Seagate hard drive.

 

"Jordan" <Jordan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A9FDF70D-5F5E-4AEF-B415-CE465D70DE13@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> Since hibernation is already turned off, you should delete the
>> hibernation
>> file by other means, e.g. by booting the machine with a Bart PE boot CD
>> and
>> getting rid of the file. If you're concerned that this might cause other
>> problems, rename it only as a first step, then see what happens.
>>
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> I tried renaming it first, but it's in-use. It's actually created each
> time
> the computer boots to Windows, it's not there when you boot to a command
> prompt.
> So this would suggest that Hibernation is still enabled, but something, as
> the error message suggest an "internal system component" disables
> hibenation
> after boot but doesn't remove the file or prevent creation of the file.
>
> See the dir listing when booting from a command prompt:
>
> Directory of C:
>
> 01/19/2008 02:45 AM <DIR> $Recycle.Bin
> 03/13/2009 10:50 AM <DIR> Actipro Software
> 09/18/2006 03:43 PM 24 autoexec.bat
> 01/01/2002 02:58 AM <DIR> Boot
> 01/19/2008 01:45 AM 333,203 bootmgr
> 01/01/2002 02:58 AM 8,192 BOOTSECT.BAK
> 09/18/2006 03:43 PM 10 config.sys
> 01/19/2008 05:48 AM <JUNCTION> Documents and Settings [C:Users]
> 02/15/2009 03:17 AM <DIR> inetpub
> 02/22/2009 12:37 AM <DIR> MSOCache
> 02/15/2009 02:58 AM <DIR> NVIDIA
> 05/02/2009 12:13 PM 2,460,041,216 pagefile.sys
> 01/19/2008 03:40 AM <DIR> PerfLogs
> 04/30/2009 03:00 AM <DIR> Program Files
> 04/28/2009 12:56 PM <DIR> ProgramData
> 04/22/2009 01:17 AM <DIR> symbols
> 04/06/2009 10:52 PM <DIR> System Volume Information
> 03/13/2009 10:36 AM <DIR> Users
> 04/17/2009 06:48 PM <DIR> VSS
> 04/21/2009 12:02 AM <DIR> websymbols
> 05/02/2009 12:14 PM <DIR> Windows
> 03/24/2009 06:05 PM <DIR> WINSSLog
>
> Directory of C:
>
> 5 File(s) 2,460,382,645 bytes
> 18 Dir(s) 6,441,037,824 bytes free
>
> C:>
>
> Then after booting to windows and then running the same command prompt:
>
> C:>dir *.* /A DHSR
> Volume in drive C has no label.
> Volume Serial Number is E84A-6037
>
> Directory of C:
>
> 01/19/2008 02:45 AM <DIR> $Recycle.Bin
> 03/13/2009 10:50 AM <DIR> Actipro Software
> 09/18/2006 03:43 PM 24 autoexec.bat
> 01/01/2002 02:58 AM <DIR> Boot
> 01/19/2008 01:45 AM 333,203 bootmgr
> 01/01/2002 02:58 AM 8,192 BOOTSECT.BAK
> 09/18/2006 03:43 PM 10 config.sys
> 01/19/2008 05:48 AM <JUNCTION> Documents and Settings [C:Users]
> 05/02/2009 12:19 PM 2,146,226,176 hiberfil.sys
> 02/15/2009 03:17 AM <DIR> inetpub
> 02/22/2009 12:37 AM <DIR> MSOCache
> 02/15/2009 02:58 AM <DIR> NVIDIA
> 05/02/2009 12:19 PM 2,460,041,216 pagefile.sys
> 01/19/2008 03:40 AM <DIR> PerfLogs
> 04/30/2009 03:00 AM <DIR> Program Files
> 04/28/2009 12:56 PM <DIR> ProgramData
> 04/22/2009 01:17 AM <DIR> symbols
> 04/06/2009 10:52 PM <DIR> System Volume Information
> 03/13/2009 10:36 AM <DIR> Users
> 04/17/2009 06:48 PM <DIR> VSS
> 04/21/2009 12:02 AM <DIR> websymbols
> 05/02/2009 12:14 PM <DIR> Windows
> 03/24/2009 06:05 PM <DIR> WINSSLog
>
> Directory of C:
>
> 6 File(s) 4,606,608,821 bytes
> 18 Dir(s) 4,276,563,968 bytes free
>
> Thanks for the suggestion, but it's not going work for me.
>
> Hey Windows 2008, gimme my 2GB back from a feature I'm not even using!
> I know this is only 2GB, and these days 2GB is nothing to most. My first
> hard drive was a 20 Megabyte Seagate hard drive.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Your main problem is, of course, how to turn off the hibernation feature
when Windows claims that it is already turned off. I am unable to offer any
advice on this issue. However, you can probably pull a trick out of the
dirty tricks book by preventing the file from being created: Boot into a
non-Windows Command Prompt, then create a *folder* called c:\Hiberfil.sys.
Non only will this trick prevent the file from being created but it may also
give you a hint where to look for the unwanted hibernation feature.

 

I don't know if you have tried this yet but seems to have worked for
me.
Open Regedit and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\PowerCfg
You should see CurrentPowerPolicy and the Value is set to 0 change that
Value to 3 and then run from an administrator command prompt
powercfg.exe /h off
I've rebooted the server a couple of times and so far the Hiberfil.sys
hasn't returned.
And the server is Server 2008 SP1 X64.
Hope this helps.


--
tfarmer
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Go to control Panel>power Option>
than change settings to high Performance
Now from administrator command prompt type powercfg.exe /h off
then check the file.(it will be removed)

I am using Windows 2008 Enterprise Server SP1.
Hope this will help you.

"tfarmer" wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> I don't know if you have tried this yet but seems to have worked for
> me.
> Open Regedit and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelPowerCfg
> You should see CurrentPowerPolicy and the Value is set to 0 change that
> Value to 3 and then run from an administrator command prompt
> powercfg.exe /h off
> I've rebooted the server a couple of times and so far the Hiberfil.sys
> hasn't returned.
> And the server is Server 2008 SP1 X64.
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> --
> tfarmer
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> tfarmer's Profile:
> View this thread:
>
>
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Thanks for the reply. I am already set to high performance.

I still get the following error:
C:\Users\Administrator>powercfg.exe /h off
Hibernation failed with the following error: The request is not supported.

The following items are preventing hibernation on this system.
An internal system component has disabled hibernation.

And the hiberfil.sys is still locked and present.

"Farooq Khan" wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Go to control Panel>power Option>
> than change settings to high Performance
> Now from administrator command prompt type powercfg.exe /h off
> then check the file.(it will be removed)
>
> I am using Windows 2008 Enterprise Server SP1.
> Hope this will help you.
>
> "tfarmer" wrote:
> <!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
> >
> > I don't know if you have tried this yet but seems to have worked for
> > me.
> > Open Regedit and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelPowerCfg
> > You should see CurrentPowerPolicy and the Value is set to 0 change that
> > Value to 3 and then run from an administrator command prompt
> > powercfg.exe /h off
> > I've rebooted the server a couple of times and so far the Hiberfil.sys
> > hasn't returned.
> > And the server is Server 2008 SP1 X64.
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> >
> > --
> > tfarmer
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > tfarmer's Profile:
> > View this thread:
> >
> >
> >
> > <!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

I changed my reg key from 0 to 3. I rebooted and the file still persists.
I think I am just going to have to live with the extra 2GB.

It also looks like 32-bit processors will not be supported for Windows
Server 2008 R2, so there is little hope that I can get this file removed with
a bug fix.


"tfarmer" wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>
> I don't know if you have tried this yet but seems to have worked for
> me.
> Open Regedit and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelPowerCfg
> You should see CurrentPowerPolicy and the Value is set to 0 change that
> Value to 3 and then run from an administrator command prompt
> powercfg.exe /h off
> I've rebooted the server a couple of times and so far the Hiberfil.sys
> hasn't returned.
> And the server is Server 2008 SP1 X64.
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> --
> tfarmer
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> tfarmer's Profile:
> View this thread:
>
>
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

I ran into the same issue. I was able to remove the file by re-enabling
hibernation (powercfg -h on) then immediately turning it off and
successfully removing the file (powercfg -h off).


--
givensde
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