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How do I Create a Crash / Mini Dump manually for Windows based systems using Dr. Watson?

Updated: 16 Jun 2009 | 6 comments
Abhishek Pradhan's picture
+11 11 Votes
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To enable Minidumps / Crash Dumps in Windows XP using Dr. Watson, follow the process given below:

Go to START > RUN and type "drwtsn32" (without the quotes) at the prompt and click "OK". This will open the Dr. Watson utility.

Apply the following settings:

  • Crash Dump Type: Mini
  • Check "Dump Symbol Table", "Dump All Thread Contexts", & "Create Crash Dump File"
  • Set "Number Of Instructions" and "Number Of Errors To Save" to 50.
  • Uncheck "Append To Existing Log"

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Please note the location of the Crash Dump path so you can find the minidump later and then click "OK"

Finally, reproduce your crash. This will save a Minidump file in the previously defined crash dump path location.

The typical file name is "xxxxx.dmp"

Comments

Nel Ramos's picture
17
Jun
2009
1 Vote +1
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thanks for the

thanks for the information..
by the way, where do we use this?
havent tried this before..
thanks..

Nel Ramos

Paul Mapacpac's picture
17
Jun
2009
0 Votes 0
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Re

You will need the Microsoft Debugger Tool to view these dmp files.

Kadoneng's picture
18
Jun
2009
1 Vote +1
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could we have the MS debugger

could we have the MS debugger Paul..
thanks

Paul Mapacpac's picture
18
Jun
2009
2 Votes +2
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Vikram Kumar-SAV to SEP's picture
21
Jun
2009
0 Votes 0
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BSOD

This helps in BSOD or hang cases

Santosh C's picture
20
Jul
2009
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Good info

Thanks Abhishek,

This information is very helpful in BSOD cases as Vikram mentioned.
Please keep sharing such info.....

Thanks :)