ERROR_FLOPPY_VOLUME 0x00000248: Page File on Floppy Fix

Cause 1: The page file is assigned to a floppy drive

What's actually happening here is Windows tried to write the paging file (pagefile.sys) to a floppy disk drive — usually A: or B:. The error code 0x00000248 literally means "floppy volume" — Windows knows floppies are too slow and tiny to hold a page file, so it refuses. This usually happens after a system migration, a botched driver update, or when you plug in a USB floppy drive and Windows automatically reassigns virtual memory.

The fix: Open System Properties → Advanced → Performance Settings → Advanced → Virtual Memory → Change. You'll see a list of drives. If A: or B: has a custom page file size, select it and choose "No paging file," then click Set. Then pick your system drive (usually C:) and let Windows manage it automatically. Hit OK and reboot.

# Quick registry route (if you're comfortable with regedit)
# The page file settings live at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
# Look for PagingFiles — it'll show something like "A:\pagefile.sys 1024 2048"
# Delete that entry or change it to C:

You don't need to mess with the registry unless the GUI doesn't stick. The reason step 3 in the GUI works is because Windows validates the selected drive before writing the setting. Floppy drives fail that validation unless you explicitly clear them.

Cause 2: A floppy drive is still enabled in BIOS or UEFI

This one's rare now, but on older systems (think Windows 7-era or machines with legacy BIOS), the floppy controller might still be active even if no physical drive is connected. Windows enumerates it as A: and, during paging file initialization, tries to use it because it sees a drive letter with no media. The error pops up during boot or when you change virtual memory settings.

The fix: Reboot into BIOS/UEFI setup (usually F2, Del, or F10 during POST). Look for "Integrated Peripherals" or "Onboard Devices" — find "Floppy Controller" or "Legacy Floppy Drive" and set it to Disabled. Save and exit. Windows won't see the drive letter anymore, so it can't assign the page file there.

On some Dell OptiPlex 790s and HP Compaq 8200s, you'll find this under "Drive Configuration" or "Storage Options." If you're on a modern UEFI system and still see this error, something else is creating a floppy volume — see Cause 3.

Cause 3: A USB floppy drive or virtual floppy is detected as A:

If you've got a USB floppy drive plugged in (like a Sony MPF82 or a generic USB 3.5" drive), Windows assigns it A: by default. When you enable virtual memory management, Windows occasionally tries to write the page file to every available drive, including removable ones. The error shows up when the drive is present but no floppy is inserted — Windows can't verify the volume, so it throws 0x00000248.

The fix: Unplug the USB floppy drive. If you need it permanently, go into Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc), right-click the floppy drive, and change its drive letter to something else — say, Z: — so Windows won't consider it for the page file. Also go back to Virtual Memory settings and confirm no page file is set on that drive letter.

One more scenario: virtual floppy drives created by old software like Virtual PC 2007 or DOSBox. Check Device Manager under "Floppy drive controllers" — if you see a "Virtual Floppy Drive" entry, disable or uninstall it. That controller creates a phantom A: drive that triggers the same error.

Quick-reference summary

If none of these work, you've probably got a corrupted page file configuration. Delete pagefile.sys from the root of C: (you'll need to show hidden system files), reboot, then recreate it in Virtual Memory settings. That wipes any stale floppy references.