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Watchdog Event Log Gone

By Graeagle ·
KenV gave this answer on Oct 8th about how to find and access the Watchdog Event Log:

Windows XP keeps a special log of all BSoD errors, called a Watchdog Event Log. Unlike a memory dump, whose creation is the result of a BSoD error, a Watchdog Event Log is a straight text file that is easier to read and understand. This should help confirm what is really causing the problem.

Here's how you access a Watchdog Event Log:

1. Use Windows Explorer to access the C:\Windows\LogFiles\Watchdog folder.
2. Locate and right-click the most recently dated .WDL file.
3. Select the Open command from the context menu.
4. In the Windows dialog box, choose the Select The Program From A List option and click OK.
5. When you see the Open With dialog box, select Notepad and click OK

My question is this, to date I have checked 3 different computers for this file and only found it on one of them, WHY? Is there a way to turn it off and on or why would I not find it on all three? I even posted this on the Windows XP Expert Zone help site and no one there seems to have heard of it, some expert huh?

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by statykserver In reply to Watchdog Event Log Gone

I found this on Techrepublic and when you check windows help searching for error reporting it tell you how to turn it on and off. Enjoy

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by statykserver In reply to Watchdog Event Log Gone

I found this on Techrepublic and when you check windows help searching for error reporting it tell you how to turn it on and off. Enjoy

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=154171&messageID=1660935

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by Graeagle In reply to Watchdog Event Log Gone

Thanks for your help but now I guess I have yet another problem. I never turn off error reporting and yet I don't have the watchdog folder on my pc. Is there any way to repair error reporting?

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by rindi1 In reply to Watchdog Event Log Gone

Answer 1 is probably correct, but for you to get that watchdog folder you will have to wait for a BSoD error to occur. If that error is related to a bad HD, it may also not be possible for the system to write the folders to HD.

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