ID: Q75020
The information in this article applies to:
The Ww0440.exe file contains DrWatson and MSD, two programs that aid Microsoft programmers in debugging Windows. DrWatson is a program that logs information about conditions that exist when an unrecoverable application error (UAE) occurs. MSD (Microsoft Diagnostics) is a program that identifies system configuration information.
This document explains how to install and use DrWatson and MSD. For Microsoft to most effectively identify and solve system problems, we ask that you use these programs and periodically send us the logs that result. The information in this application note describes what to do when a UAE occurs and how to send Microsoft the information that you gather.
DrWatson is a debugging tool designed to provide software programmers with detailed information on the internal state of Windows when a UAE occurs. DrWatson must be running at the time a UAE occurs to extract the internal information from the system.
As DrWatson uses very little memory and does not affect the performance of Windows, we encourage you to install DrWatson if a UAE has occurred before. After DrWatson is installed, information is collected when a UAE occurs and written to a special file (DRWATSON.LOG) located in the Windows directory.
DrWatson is a diagnostic tool, not a cure for a problem. Having DrWatson will not prevent an error from occurring, but the information in DRWATSON.LOG will help Microsoft developers make the next version of Windows even better.
The Microsoft Diagnostics (MSD) program is designed to assist Microsoft customers and Product Support Services (PSS) technicians in solving problems with Microsoft products. MSD identifies system configuration information such as the BIOS, video card type and manufacturer, installed processor(s), I/O port status, operating system version, environment settings, hardware devices attached, and additional software running concurrently with MSD.
MSD should be used in conjunction with DrWatson to provide valuable information on hardware configurations and UAEs. Error reports should include information from both the MSD program and DrWatson. (The section titled "When a UAE Occurs" on page 2 of this application note details the procedure for using MSD with DrWatson.)
We recommend that you start DrWatson automatically each time you start Windows. This will allow you to collect critical information each time a UAE occurs.
To install MSD and DrWatson and to start DrWatson automatically when you start Windows, do the following:
1. Place the enclosed disk in drive A.
2. From Windows, start File Manager.
3. From the File menu, choose Copy. In the From and To boxes, type the
following:
From: a:\msd.exe
To: c:\
Choose the Copy button. The MSD program is now copied to your root
directory (if your root directory is not on drive C, substitute the
correct drive letter in the To box).
following:
a:\drwatson.exe a:\toolhelp.dll
In the To box, type in the path to your Windows directory (for
example: "c:\windows" -- without the quotation marks). Choose the
Copy button. The DrWatson files are now copied to your Windows
directory.
file. For example, if your Windows directory is called Windows and
is on drive C, in the From and To boxes, type the following:
From: c:\windows\win.ini
To: c:\windows\win.bak
Choose the Copy button.
WIN.INI file, and in the [Windows] section, add DrWatson to the
LOAD= line. For example:
[windows]
Beep=yes
Spooler=yes
NullPort=None
LOAD=DRWATSON.EXE
8. Exit and then restart Windows.
DrWatson should now appear as an icon on your desktop.
DrWatson adds a file to your Windows directory called DRWATSON.LOG. If a UAE occurs while DrWatson is running, DrWatson captures data regarding the internal operations of Windows. In addition, DrWatson prompts you for details on how the UAE occurred. When you type in your response, please include information on what you were doing or what steps created the UAE. This information is recorded in the DRWATSON.LOG file and will help our software programmers track the problems.
At this time, DrWatson does not detect all system errors, so don't be alarmed if DrWatson does not record information after a particular system error.
Each time a UAE occurs, DrWatson appends new data to DRWATSON.LOG. To prevent this file from growing too large and to aid our processing, please save DRWATSON.LOG as a different file periodically. (For example, if five UAEs occur in one day, save DRWATSON.LOG under a different name before you start Windows again the next day.)
To save the file under a different name, type the following at the command prompt before you start Windows:
rename c:\drwatson.log <newname>
1. When a UAE occurs, the DrWatson dialog box will appear. Type in a
description of what you were doing prior to receiving the error.
Press ENTER.
computer.
(without the quotation marks) and press ENTER to run the MSD
program. (For LCD and monochrome screens, type "msd /b" and press
ENTER.)
option. When prompted for a filename, type "msd.log" (without the
quotation marks and press ENTER. Fill in the information requested.
6. Append the MSD log to the DrWatson log by typing the following at
the command prompt:
type <path>\MSD.LOG >> <path\drwatson>
where <path\drwatson> is the path and filename of the DrWatson log.
For example, if you named your DrWatson log the default
DRWATSON.LOG (in the WINDOWS directory on drive C), type the
following:
type c:\msd.log >> c:\windows\drwatson.log
the instructions listed on page 4 of this application note.
example, MSD.LOG and DRWATSON.LOG) from your hard disk.
The MSD program runs with MS-DOS and the DOS compatibility box of OS/2.
MSD presents a Main Menu screen split into two sections. The upper section presents a summary of information that the utility has gathered from your system. For additional information on any category, use the quick key commands, or move the highlight bar (using the arrow keys) to any category and press the ENTER key. A dialog box appears that presents detailed information for that category. Return to the Main Menu screen by pressing the ESC key.
The following is a brief explanation of the categories in the first section of the MSD program:
Category Description
-------- -----------
BIOS Displays the BIOS manufacturer, date, version,
and type
Processor Displays the processor type and math
coprocessor, if installed
Memory Displays a map of memory from 768K to 1 MB and
information concerning the configuration of RAM
and ROM in your computer system
Video Shows your video card's manufacturer and model,
BIOS version, memory, and current video mode
Network Detects whether a network is MS-Net or
compatible, or Novell
Mouse Shows the DOS mouse driver version number, mouse
type, and other information concerning the mouse
Game Adapter Dynamically displays game card status for up to
two game devices or joysticks
CD-ROM Displays the Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions
(MSCDEX.EXE) version number and drive letter
Operating System Displays the operating system version number and
path from which MSD was run
Parallel Ports Dynamically displays the status of installed
parallel ports and their port addresses
Serial Ports Dynamically displays the status of active serial
ports and their current configurations
Disk Drives Scans all local and logical drives and displays
the total and available bytes
IRQ Status Shows the current IRQ (hardware interrupt)
status
Environment Displays environment variables
AUTOEXEC.BAT Lists the AUTOEXEC.BAT file
CONFIG.SYS Lists the CONFIG.SYS file
Function Description
-------- -----------
Resident Programs Displays the names of programs loaded in RAM at
the time MSD was executed, their locations, and
their sizes; programs may be loaded into
multiple segments of RAM and have multiple
entries in the table
Device Table Displays software and hardware device drivers
installed; these include default devices, such
as COM1 or LPT1, and user-installed devices
loaded from the CONFIG.SYS file, such as
HIMEM.SYS or EMM386.SYS
Printer Test Prints a page to test the connection between the
computer and either a TTY or PostScript-type
printer
Generate Report Prints a "faxable" report to a normal TTY
printer or to a file
File Viewer Views text files by entering the path and
filename
Memory Browser Searches selected ROM and RAM areas for search
strings such as "Copyright" and "Version"
About Displays the MSD version number and copyright
information
Exit Exits MSD
Electronic format is currently the only way we can accept DrWatson log information. This means we can receive log data by disk, or through electronic mail. In all cases, we require your company name, address, and the name and phone number of a person we can contact in the event we need additional data.
Send a disk containing the DrWatson log(s) to the following mailing address:
Microsoft Corporation
Attn: Dr. Watson Program
One Microsoft Way, Building #3
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
Unfortunately, we cannot respond to log contributors, but we will review every DrWatson file and actively work on solving reported problems. We thank you in advance for your efforts. Your help will enable us to keep improving future versions of Windows.
The following file(s) are available for download from the Microsoft Software Library:
~ Ww0440.exe (size: 123920 bytes)
ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
TITLE : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services
Keywords : kbfile win30
Version : 3.00 3.00a
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfoLast Reviewed: July 7, 1998