Copyright: Monday, August 12, 2002 12:26:39


The log file location must be a valid path on your local computer. The default location is the Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Dr Watson folder, where username is the name you use to log onto the computer. This location is created when you first run Dr. Watson. Dr. Watson will create the Drwtsn32.log file containing the diagnostic information about program errors in this folder. Click Browse to select a different log file location.

Be sure that the path specified is one to which all users have Write permission. If Dr. Watson cannot use the path specified when a log file is created, the File Open dialog box appears for you to specify a new path.


The crash dump file must be specified if you select the Create Crash Dump File check box. The default is Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Dr Watson\user.dmp, where username is the name you use to log onto the computer. The crash dump file is a binary file that can be loaded into a debugger. Click Browse to select a different crash dump file or location.

Be sure that the path specified is one to which all users have Write permission. If Dr. Watson cannot use the path specified when a crash dump file is created, the File Open dialog box appears for you to specify a new path.


Dr. Watson uses a WAV file to play a sound when an application error occurs. The file name must have a .wav extension and must conform to the Microsoft WAV file format. If you can play a WAV file using Media Player, the file is a valid WAV file. This option is not available if you do not have a sound card. Click Browse to locate the WAV file you want to use.


Specifies the maximum number of instructions that Dr. Watson will disassemble before and after the current program counter for each thread state dump. The program counter is a computer register that contains the memory location for a thread's current point of execution.


Specifies the maximum number of errors Dr. Watson will record in the log file. When Dr. Watson detects a program error, extensive diagnostic information is logged in the Drwtsn32.log file. Dr. Watson also records an entry in the Event Viewer Application Log containing the program name, date, time, exception number, exception name, program counter, and function name at the current program counter, as well as the complete diagnostic information that was logged for that error.


Specifies the file format Dr. Watson will use to store the information. The Full format contains the entire memory space of the program, as well as the program image itself, the handle table, and other information that will be useful to the debugger. The Mini format may include the full memory and handle table, or it may simply contain information about a single thread. The NT4 compatible Full format provides you with the opportunity to use older tools to analyze the dump file. Crash Dump Type is only available when you have selected the Create Crash Dump File check box.


Specifies whether Dr. Watson dumps the symbol table for each module. The symbol table dump contains the address and name for each symbol. Selecting this option can cause your log file to become very large.


Specifies whether Dr. Watson will log all threads. If this option is selected, Dr. Watson logs a state dump for each thread in the program causing the error. Otherwise, Dr. Watson logs only the thread that caused the program error.


Specifies whether Dr. Watson appends diagnostic information to the end of the Drwtsn32.log file or creates a new log file for each program error. Selecting this option can cause your log file to become very large.


Specifies whether Dr. Watson provides a message box with an OK button when a program error is detected. If you do not click OK within five minutes, the box is removed.


Specifies whether Dr. Watson plays a sound when a program error is detected. The sound played is either the WAV file specified in the Wave File box or two standard computer-generated beeps.


Specifies whether Dr. Watson creates a binary crash dump file that can later be loaded into a debugger. If you select this option, you must also specify a file name for the crash dump file in the Crash Dump box.


Displays the log file information for the selected error in the Application Errors list.


Clears all the event log error entries that are displayed in the Application Errors list and in Event Viewer.


Displays all the program errors from the event logs for Dr. Watson and Event Viewer.