Summary

Debugging Tool for Windows is a third-party application used to troubleshoot or debug programs. Laserfiche Technical Support may request that this application be used, particularly on a program that is freezing or hanging, and that the log be sent to support. This article provides a step-by-step guide to using Debugging Tool for Windows.

Note: While the debugging process is going on, the program being debugged may briefly cease to function normally. In addition, when debugging on Windows 2000 and earlier operating systems, the program being debugged will need to be closed once debugging has completed. If either of these situations is unacceptable, this process should not be followed.

More Information

The following steps document how to generate a stack trace for a program that is crashing.

To install and use Debugging Tool for Windows

1. Install Debugging Tool for Windows. The latest release version for Windows 32-bit versions is available on the Microsoft site at http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/debugging/installx86.mspx. When installing, choose the typical installation.
2. Run the program that is freezing or hanging, and that you wish to debug.
3. Run the Debugging Tool for Windows. If you installed it at its default location, you can find it by clicking Start, pointing to Program Files, Debugging Tools for Windows, and then selecting WinDbg.
4. Click on the File menu, and select Attach to a Process. This will open a window which lists all running processes.
5. Find the process for the program which you wish to debug. For instance, the process for Laserfiche Client 7.1 is LF.exe. You can confirm that you have found the correct process by expanding it, which will provide additional information. Once you have selected the correct process, click OK. If Windows Debugger asks if you want to save workspace data, click No.
6. The command window should automatically open. It will load all the .dll files on which the program being debugged depends. If it does not automatically open, click on the View menu and select Command. Another window will open, and you can drag this window within Debugging Tool for Windows.
7. Once the .dlls have all loaded, click on the Debug menu and select Go.
8. Switch to the program you wish to debug. Repeat the steps that cause the program to hang or freeze.
9. Return to Debugging Tool for Windows. While the program is hung, click on the Debug menu and choose Break.
10. Type the following command into the debugger window:

    ~*e k

    and press the ENTER key. The window will display the output of a series of stack traces.
11. Click on the Edit menu and select Write Window Text to File. Save as a text file. This is the file which should be sent to Laserfiche Technical Support.
12. The method for ending the debugging process depends on what operating system you are running:
    • On Windows 2000 and earlier, close the Debugging Tool for Windows. If prompted to save workspace data, click No. You should then close the program which was being debugged in order to ensure that the debugger detaches properly.
    • On Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, click on the Debug menu and select Detach Debuggee. If prompted to save workspace data, click No. You should then close the Debugging Tool for Windows.

Related Links

Please refer to the following web site for more information on the Debugging Tool for Windows.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/debugging/default.mspx