PSPro

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Instructions - WinDBG - Configuration

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Install the Debugger

• Install the latest Windows SDK (Software Development Kit) appropriate for the Windows versions to be debugged.
    · Google: Windows SDK
    · The web installer will permit selection and installation of particular components.
    · Only the 'Debugging Tools for Windows' portion of the SDK is strictly necessary.
        · It is advised to also install the 'Windows Performance Toolkit'.

    · Windows 5.0 debugging is not supported with modern debuggers.
        · Acquire the 'Debugging Tools for Windows 6.11.1.404' to debug Windows 5.0 dumps.
            · This debugger should not be coinstalled with later debuggers.
            · This debugger should be installed on a VM designed to debug Windows 5.0 dumps.

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Provision the windbg.exe Internal Symbol Path

• Start the windbg.exe debugger.
    · Select: 'File | Symbol file path'.
        · Replace any content with: symsrv*symsrv.dll*C:\Symbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
        · Click: 'OK'

    · Select: 'File | Save Workspace'.

    · Exit the debugger.
        · If the debugger asks whether to save the workspace, save the workspace and check 'Do not ask me this again'.

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Testing Symbol Resolution

• Restart the windbg.exe debugger.
    · Open a dump to verify that Microsoft symbols resolve.
        · If Microsoft symbols resolve, close the debugger.

        · If Microsoft symbols DO NOT resolve:
            · In the menu item 'File | Symbol file path'.
                · Verify that the symbol path displays the previously supplied symbol path.
                    · If the previously supplied symbol path is not displayed, return to the section: 'Provision the windbg.exe Internal Symbol Path'

            · Execute the debugger command: .reload
            · Microsoft symbols should resolve.

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Optionally Associate the Extension '.dmp' with windbg.exe

• This step will allow opening of dumps by double-clicking them
    · You must have administrative permissions to accomplish this.
        · If you do not have administrative permissions then you may not make this association.
        · This association is convenient but not mandatory.

    · In an administrative, UAC-elevated cmd.exe prompt, enter: "x:\path\windbg.exe" -IA
        · Where ‘x:\path’ is the path to 'windbg.exe'.
        · Where '\xXX' or '\xXX' is either '\x86' or '\x64' matching the OS architecture.
        · Where '-IA' is capitalized.
            · e.g.: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10.1\Debuggers\x64\windbg.exe" -IA

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Credits

Any external referenced material in this document is hyperlinked. Authors responsible for referenced work should be sought through the reference(s) listed.

I am Christopher Etter, a Professional Services consultant.

Because you are using this, I welcome you as my customer. These documents are free for you to use. I work diligently to serve you with material such as this. I would appreciate it if PSPRO (professionalservices.pro), my name, and this 'Credits' section remain attached to this work so that I accrue name recognition via your success and peer recommendation. Thank you very much, and I hope this document helps you solve your current information technology issue!