4.2.7 Preparations for collecting data in the event of a failure

When a problem occurs, you might need to acquire a memory dump, crash dump, or user-mode process dump. In order to collect these dumps when problems arise, you must have already configured the system to output memory dumps, crash dumps, and user-mode process dumps.

Organization of this subsection
(1) Configuring Windows Server 2003
(2) Configuring Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012

(1) Configuring Windows Server 2003

  1. From the Windows Control Panel, double-click System.
  2. On the Advanced page, go to Startup and Recovery and click the Settings button.
  3. Under Write debugging information, select Kernel memory dump and specify the output file.
Note:
The size of a memory dump is a function of the actual size of the memory. The more physical memory that is installed, the larger a memory dump will be. Make sure there is sufficient disk space to accommodate a memory dump. For more information, see the OS documentation.
  1. From the Start menu, select Run.
  2. Enter drwtsn32 in the text box and click OK.
    The Dr. Watson dialog box opens.
  3. Select the Create Crash Dump File check box, and then specify the output file in the Crash Dump text box.
  4. Click OK.
Note:
A crash dump provides troubleshooting information not just for JP1 but for other application programs as well. Note also that whenever a crash dump is output, the amount of available disk space contracts. Make sure you have reserved sufficient disk space to accommodate the crash dump output.

(2) Configuring Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012

Notes:
  • These registry settings enable output of user-mode process dump files for other application programs, as well as for JP1. Keep this in mind if you decide to enable output of user-mode process dumps.
  • Whenever a user-mode process dump is output, the amount of available disk space contracts. Make sure that the output folder you specify has sufficient disk space to accommodate the output of user-mode process dumps.