DOCUMENT:Q186241 08-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Dr. Watson May Cause CPU Usage to Spike PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbWinNT400sp4fix kbTSE400preSP7fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When Dr. Watson is invoked because of an exception in a user mode application, CPU usage spikes, and may reach 100 percent. If this occurs on a multiprocessor system, one or all of the CPUs may exhibit this behavior. The results can vary depending on the application and its interaction with Windows NT. RESOLUTION ========== Windows NT 4.0 -------------- To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ---------------------------------------------- A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing at a later time, to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition service pack that contains this fix. To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: Date Time Size File name Platform -------------------------------------------------- 05/16/2000 06:29p 91,920 drwtsn32.exe Alpha 05/16/2000 06:44p 65,808 drwtsn32.exe x86 STATUS ====== Windows NT 4.0 -------------- Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4. Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ---------------------------------------------- Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. MORE INFORMATION ================ Dr. Watson (Drwtsn32.exe) is the default debugger for Microsoft Windows NT. It is used to generate user-mode diagnostic files for purposes of troubleshooting application exceptions and access violations. Please see the online help for Drwtsn32.exe for more details. Additional query words: access violation slow performance drwatson drwtsn32 ====================================================================== Keywords : kbWinNT400sp4fix kbTSE400preSP7fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch Version : winnt:4.0 Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.