Dr. Watson errors
Dr. Watson is a program that detects application errors in Windows NT. This program also diagnoses those errors and generates a log file of this information. The information gathered by Dr. Watson is stored on your hard drive as User.dmp and DrWtsn32.log files. In Windows NT these files are stored in the %systemroot% folder. In Windows 2000, these files are stored in the %systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\DrWatson folder. The DrWtsn32.log file is appended each time a program error occurs; the User.dmp file is overwritten each time. Most of the time the errors that cause the appearance of Dr. Watson are due to exceeding system capacity. If you have many applications open, or if you are working with very large files, you may see a Dr. Watson error message.
Sometimes resetting the machine is all that is necessary to restore normal operation. Optimizing hard disk performance may also restore normal operation. If the problem is associated with only one application uninstalling then reinstalling that application often corrects the problem. If this is happening frequently, however, the machine may need to be repaired or rebuilt.
There are a few preliminary steps to take before deciding that the machine needs to be repaired, rebuilt or replaced:
Dr. Watson error in Excel. If you are getting a Dr. Watson error when attempting to run an Excel query from your browser, or in attempting to download an Excel document from a web page link, click here for a work around.
If resetting allows you to get into Windows, but the error re-occurs, try these steps.
Check Your Hard Disk for Errors (this step is a good idea,even if resetting restored normal operation)
Optimize the Hard Disk Performance (defragment) (this step is a good idea,even if resetting restored normal operation)
If you succeed in getting your machine operational take the time for a backup. For more information on backups see Eureka! document 11225 How to do a manual backup.
If resetting didn't allow you to get into Windows, or if the error reoccurs after taking the above steps then:
Although it is always tempting to just hit the reset button, please at least try more gentle methods of shutting down the machine first. That will give you the best opportunity not to cause further problems and program corruption.
For more information on resetting the machine please see the document 39013 — How to reset your computer.
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Check Your Hard Disk for Errors
Your operating system has a utility, Scan Disk, that can check the hard disk for bad sectors and other problems. If you continue to receive error messages after resetting, but can get to your programs menu, the utility can sometimes correct those errors. If the errors cannot be corrected the utility may be able to mark those areas as unavailable so that the operating system does not attempt to use them. Running the Scan Disk utility can often repair minor hard disk problems. For more information on checking your hard disk for errors please see the document 69029 — How to check your hard disk for bad sectors and other errors.
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Optimize the Hard Disk Performance
Disk optimization can improve performance by rearranging files on the hard disk, a process called "defragmentation". In some cases it will, at least temporarily, resolve errors generated by insufficient virtual memory. Optimizing the hard disk performance may also help detect and correct corrupt file problems, certain disk errors, and some memory problems. If you have received any of the above errors you should optimize even if it appears that the problem has been corrected. When you have completed the optimization a backup is strongly recommended.
For more information on optimizing the hard disk performance please see the document 10031 — How to defragment your drive.
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Uninstall the offending program
If you believe the error is related to a particular application you may wish to try uninstalling the program then reinstalling it. If you have recently installed new software then uninstalling that software is a reasonable step to take before rebuilding the entire machine. If a PNU has run recently try re-running the PNU.
For more information on uninstalling and reinstalling software please see the document 69004 — Installing and Uninstalling Software.
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Disconnect any peripherals and try again
Disconnect all external devices such as Jaz Drive, external CD-ROM, Floppy Disk, Palm Cradle, etc. Then reset the machine. If that resolves the problem but the problem returns when the device is reattached then try uninstalling, then reinstalling the device.
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If the above steps did not correct the problem you will need to open a NorthStar ticket to make an appointment for service. Be sure to include your contact number. Describe the problem in detail, especially the steps you took to try to correct the problem. You will be contacted by the appropriate party. For more information on creating the NorthStar ticket, see Eureka! document 39068 — How to submit a computer or peripheral for repair.
If resetting the machine restored normal operation please take the time to check your hard disk for errors, optimize the hard disk, and back up your data. Also, be sure to watch for unusual messages during start up. Contact Technical Support Operations with any questions.
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If you get a Dr. Watson error with an Excel query (e.g. in HR8, HRDB, RVDB etc), or in attempting to download an Excel document from a web page link you should be able to work around the problem by first saving the file to disk, then opening Excel, then opening the file.
By default if you try to run a query to Excel in your browser you get a prompt asking whether to open the file locally or save it to disk first. To use this work around you must get that prompt and choose to save the file to disk, and select the location to save the file. If you are not getting the prompt you will need to restore the prompt in order to work around the Dr. Watson error. See document 19018 — Restore prompt to choose location of file download.
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Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2001
All rights reserved.
Created: db 05/10/2001