Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

Dr. Watson — \windows\system32\drwatson.exe; drwtsn32.exe

Synopsis

Records system error information when a system error occurs.

To Open

Command Prompt → drwatson (start daemon)

Command Prompt → drwtsn32 (change settings)

Start → Programs → Accessories → System Tools → System Information → Tools menu → Dr Watson (change settings)

Description

Dr. Watson is a diagnostic tool that records information on the internal state of Windows when a system error occurs. It collects information such as system details, running applications, startup applications, kernel drivers, and user drivers. Although the reports that Dr. Watson produces are of little use to most users, they diagnostic information that may be helpful to developers and Microsoft support technicians for diagnosis of the problem.

If activated, Dr. Watson waits invisibly in the background until a system error occurs, at which time a dialog box appears, asking for comments on the activities prior to the error. The comments you type will be added to a file as long as you select File → Save or File → Save As from the dialog. The two available formats include Dr. Watson log files (.wlg) and plain text files (.txt). The default is a .wlg file, and is recommended if you want to subsequently use the Dr. Watson application to view a GUI version of the information.

If Dr. Watson detects a fault that might not be fatal, you’ll have the opportunity to ignore the fault or close the application. If you choose to ignore the fault, Windows continues ...