This How to Will Instruct a User on How to Install the Tool and How to Analyze a Crash Dump to Determine the Cause.
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Signing UpStep 1: Download the Debugging Tools for Windows
- Windows 7 and Newer: Navigate to the Windows Dev Center to download the Windows Software Development Kit downloader. This is not the tool, its only the downloader for the tool.
- Windows Vista and XP: Download the Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 4 as .NET Framework 4.5 is not supported on Windows XP.
Step 2: Run the Setup for the SDK
- Click Next through the installer until you reach the screen that downloads the packages, labeled: "Select the features you want to install."
- Deselect all the checkboxes next to all the packages except Debugging tools for Windows
- Click Install.
Step 3: Wait for the Installer
Step 4: Run WinDbg
- Run Windbg as administrator. The screenshot is from Windows 8.1, but this step is the same for all Operating systems Vista and higher, run as Administrator.
- On Windows 8.1, this is achieved by searching for the program, then Right Clicking it in the list to the right.
- It is important that Windbg be ran as Administrator.
- On Windows 8 and higher machines, there are permission issues reading crash dumps when the user isn't elevated.
Step 5: Set the Symbol Path
- Click on File
- Click on Symbol File Path ...
Step 6: Input the Symbols File Path
- Paste the following text into the Symbol Search Path Dialog
- SRV*C:\Windows\symbol_cache*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
- Click OK





































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will this work on windows xp pro sp3
All the sequential steps will be the same. The only difference is the GUI will be slightly different, but the package to download will be named the same. (Also you won't need to run as Administrator on Windows XP unless you're a limited user)
Thanks for pointing that out! :)
Hi,
I followed your very clear instructions, but when I run Windbg I have the problem that the Symbols file path (entered in Step 6) cannot be found which generates a lengthy list of error messages. Any advice appreciated.
Regards,
Nogin
Hey,
Sorry about your computer issue. If the issue has persisted, maybe you could check here [ http://errortools.com/windows/fix-a-windows-pc-crash-dump/] for some info. All the best.
Hi NogintheNog,
Looks like your symbol path is correct...(according to this article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311503) Are you connected to the internet? It needs to download the symbols from the net in order to work. If you are connected to the internet, make sure your firewall isn't blocking the debugger. Good Luck!
so how did it go with the problem?
This one? It was actually a bug in Windows 8 that microsoft couldnt reproduce. It eventually went away, so something must have fixed it.
HI Azerial, Thanks for the helpful post. I have a question, that I hope you may help with. I have a Intel NUC D34010WYK with windows 8.1. And since the first initial install my OS will randomly freeze and just hang. i.e. spinning wheel, can not enter the task manager in any way, and eventually a window pops up "Windows Not responding". I have done multiple installs of W8.1 with different dongles from my friends, but still the same result. Additionally if I leave the computer on for the day, my OS will crash and on will try to reboot automatically however when it reboots on it's own it cannot find a boot image. I've ran every test under the sun, Ram Mem test, SSD tests, and everything checks out. I have googled for a few weeks now, resorting to diagnosing the issue myself with these SDK tools. For some reason I don't get a Memory.dmp file, even though I have had a BSOD in the last couple of days. Would you have any recommendations on where to start to diagnose this issue/possibly create and capture a log of some sort when my OS hangs?
Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
Hi PhenomHTPC,
While I can't give you any insight on why your computer is acting up, i can give you some advice on the dump file.
1. From the desktop, open Windows Explorer (tan folder at the right of the taskbar)
2. In the Windows Explorer address bar, type "Control Panel" and hit enter
3. In the search box on the upper right of the window, type in "System"
4. Click on the link that reads "View advanced system settings"
5. On the Advanced tab, click on the "Startup and Recovery" button
6. At the bottom of the window, there will be a "System failure" section
7. Validate the settings. I have attached a sceenshot of what mine looks like. You might also change the dump from Automatic to Complete. (Complete will give you a very large file, but eh its sometimes worth it if you need more info. Just don't forget to change it back)
Hope you figure out what it is!
i thought there was something for windows xp but mav been to busy working to check on it
again thanls