DrWatson Postmortem Debugger madness

Question

Hi,
I seem to be having problems with accesing a folder.
Usually the symptom occurs when I navigate to certain folder containing either video files or photos and then the computer freezes. I get an error message saying that Dr watson postmortem debugger has encountered an error and I have to kill this process in task manager.
It seems to only happen with this particular folder. Its only started to do this after I updated to Service Pack 2.
Hope you can help

nguthrie · Answer

I'm having the same problem.  Every time I try to open a folder, it stops and I get the 'Drwatson Postmortem Debugger has encountered an error' message.  I tried deleting anything associated with Divx like a previous post suggested, with no luck.  I also tried to go into the registry and turn off Drwatson, but then I get another error saying the memory could not be written.  Does anybody know what I can try next.

jepaulsen · Answer

Just a warning concerning this issue. While my problem may be unrelated, I began experiencing the "DR Watson" error last Wednesday and was eventually locked out of access to all files. As of Sunday my harddrive had been infiltrated and was virtually erased. Again... likely multiple issues at work, But I lost my entire hard drive. I advise massive backing up as the primary step, then work on the error.

Cygnus4 · Answer

nguthrie,

I wasn't able to see any remaining files or folders of DIVX until I used "search" in the "start" menu. I then erased everything right in the search results box.

Hope this works for you (like it did for me),

Mike

Cygnus4 · Answer

jepaulsen,

The problem I experienced was strictly an explorer issue. If data was erased from your HDD, you obviously have/had something more malicious than a DIVX/SP2 compatibility problem.

Although I'm sure it was painful to have lost all your data :( , I hope everything is working good for you now.

Mike

Alan Glazzard · Answer

Hi, I'm having the same problem with DrWatson. I have tried deleting the files for it but it came up with explorer.exe errors saying information was 'unwritten' which I had to solve by enabling DrWatson again which constantly freezes my computer upon starting up and when I select a start menu option:smileymad: I have tried deleting all DivX files from my computer and using Registry Mechanic and Registry Fiz to sort my computer out yet some registries are protected and the trial versions do not delete these:smileysad:   SO, I have downloaded HijackThis to give me a logfile of my computer which HOPEFULLY someone can have a look at and maybe help me out with my DrWatson problem:smileyhappy: Thanks!! Alan     Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0 Scan saved at 01:15:21, on 18/02/2005 Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180) Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\unzipped\hijackthis[1]\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\vlzik.dll/sp.html#44768 R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\vlzik.dll/sp.html#44768 R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\vlzik.dll/sp.html#44768 R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\vlzik.dll/sp.html#44768 R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\vlzik.dll/sp.html#44768 R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\vlzik.dll/sp.html#44768 R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx O2 - BHO: (no name) - {30CF258B-877E-D68F-75DB-04254FA4477D} - C:\WINDOWS\sysrk.dll O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll O3 - Toolbar: MSN - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - blank (file missing) O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe' O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccRegVfy] 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe' O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus C82 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S10IC2.EXE /P23 'EPSON Stylus C82 Series' /O5 'LPT1:' /M 'Stylus C82' O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla	fswctrl.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ezShieldProtector for Px] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ezSP_Px.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe' /r O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OpwareSE2] 'C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE2.0\OpwareSE2.exe' O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msnappau] 'C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-gb\msnappau.exe' O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\jusched.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AOL Spyware Protection] 'C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\AOLSPY~1\AOLSP Scheduler.exe' O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GSICONEXE] gsicon.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DSLAGENTEXE] dslagent.exe USB O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RealTray] C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] 'C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe' -atboottime O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus C82 Series (Copy 1)] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S10IC2.EXE /P32 'EPSON Stylus C82 Series (Copy 1)' /O6 'USB001' /M 'Stylus C82' O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdStatus Service] C:\Program Files\AdStatus Service\AdStatServ.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [waol.exe] C:\Program Files\AOL 8.0j\waol.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [tibs5] C:\WINDOWS\system32	ibs5.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mfchy32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\mfchy32.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] 'C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe' /background O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit O4 - Global Startup: AOL 8.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\AOL 8.0j\aoltray.exe O4 - Global Startup: AOL Broadband Check-Up.lnk = C:\Program Files\AOL\Broadband CheckUp\bin\matcli.exe O4 - Global Startup: AOL Companion.lnk = C:\Program Files\AOL Companion\companion.exe O4 - Global Startup: Digimax Viewer 2.0.lnk = ? O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE O8 - Extra context menu item: &iSearch The Web - res://C:\WINDOWS\System32	oolbar.dll/SEARCH.HTML O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000 O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll O15 - Trusted Zone: *.05p.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.awmdabest.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.clickspring.net O15 - Trusted Zone: *.flingstone.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.frame.crazywinnings.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.mt-download.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.my-internet.info O15 - Trusted Zone: *.scoobidoo.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchbarcash.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchmiracle.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.static.topconverting.com O15 - Trusted Zone: *.05p.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.awmdabest.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.clickspring.net (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.flingstone.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.frame.crazywinnings.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.mt-download.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.my-internet.info (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.scoobidoo.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchbarcash.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchmiracle.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted Zone: *.static.topconverting.com (HKLM) O15 - Trusted IP range: 206.161.125.149 O15 - Trusted IP range: 206.161.125.149 (HKLM) O16 - DPF: {11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111157} - ms-its:mhtml:file://c:
osuch.mht!http://hard-virgins.com/dkvaget/x.chm::/load.exe O16 - DPF: {22A88341-AFCB-45F0-A856-C2BAE74F878E} (InstallX Class) - http://www.20x2p.com/53209db8/enter.cab O16 - DPF: {42F2C9BA-614F-47C0-B3E3-ECFD34EED658} (Installer Class) - http://www.ysbweb.com/ist/softwares/v4.0/ysb_regular.cab O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by101fd.bay101.hotmail.msn.com/resources/MsnPUpld.cab O16 - DPF: {91433D86-9F27-402C-B5E3-DEBDD122C339} - http://www.netvenda.com/sites/gamc2-gb/gbc2/games4.cab O16 - DPF: {BFF1950D-B1B4-4AE8-B842-B2CCF06D9A1B} (Zylom Games Player) - http://game13.zylomgames.com/activex/zylomgamesplayer.cab O16 - DPF: {DB893839-10F0-4AF9-92FA-B23528F530AF} - http://deposito.hostance.net/dialer/604485.exe O23 - Service: AOL Spyware Protection Service - Unknown - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\AOLSPY~1\aolserv.exe O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe O23 - Service: EpsonBidirectionalService - Unknown - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\eEBSVC.exe O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MPFSERVICE.exe O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus
avapsvc.exe O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32
vsvc32.exe O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service - Sony Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SONYSH~1\AVLib\Sptisrv.exe O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe O23 - Service: Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Helper - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdkeh.exe

larrygeorge · Answer

I had same problem with Dr. Watson Postmortem Debugger (system froze, couldn't open files, had to exit through Task Manager) after installing Microsoft anti-spyware. I uninstalled anti-spyware and deleted all files which were added on that same date.  Problem solved!

larrygeorge · Answer

Update: Dr. Watson raised his ugly head several days later when I could not open any files.

I uninstalled Windows XP Service Pack 2 and can again, at least for the moment, open all files.

By the way, during the time I was not able to open files from the Desktop screen, I was able to access them by going on the Internet, clicking on file menu, then "Open" and "Browse."

sirdoorah · Answer

happened to me last night dell 8100 xp pro windows notified of update - updated windows and security patch cannot get to control panel to un install can get to files thru task mgr - brouse - no help all over the inter net on google - so we are not alone cannot tell if dell related - do not think so restore will not work also

DanielKelly · Answer

Here is the solution to the DrWatson PostMortem Debugger problem:   http://www.thenerdnetwork.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3086

ora1313 · Answer

It is not hard to fix...Print this out

It is not a virus, nor do you have to down-load anything to fix it. And for God Sake, do not re-format your pc.......or mess with your registry!

A Tech informed me it is a microsoft problem, don’t know if it is true, it seems to be. Problems are from an update from microsoft with the SP2....Tech didn’t know how to fix it, but I figured it out........

When the error box pops up, click on the link in the box see error file........You will see a path or 2 that looks something like this:

c:\docume~1\user\locals~1\Temp\werabbb.dir00\DRWTSN32.exe.mdmp

Write it down

Now, Re-Boot computer in safe-mode.............press F8 as soon as it starts to re-boot: This brings you into safe-mode. Here, you can get into your files.

Go into Windows Explorer, follow the path and delete the file: DRWTSN32.exe.

Now step 2: Go into the control panel, then add/remove programs. Find the program.........SP2 and click uninstall. This is the up-date from microsoft. You don’t need it anyway. If you don’t do both steps, it will just re-load.

Then, Re-boot system in normal mode, it should be ok.

Hope this helps, it worked for me....Let me know

Donna

anamiks · Answer

Thanks Donna - your solution totally worked for me (So far at least). That was after I followed other forum instructions and downloaded various anti-Spyware programs to no avail.

BTW Now I have uninstalled Service Pack 2 I'm getting hassled about installing new updates. If I did this wouldn't the same DrWatson problem happen again?

ora1313 · Answer

You are totally welcome.  I myself have not downloaded anymore updates and I plan writing microsoft a letter concerning this issue.....donna

jwatt · Answer

Koz A,

The commonest cause of this problem is malware. drwtsn32.exe is a program that's supposed to analyze and report on other program crashes, but it's crashing instead of reporting the problem. Not nice.

It's likely that you'll need to submit a HijackThis log for analysis and help in getting rid of this problem, but it would be good to try to do some cleanup before doing that. If the machine's so unstable that you can't carry out the first two steps, go ahead and download HijackThis and submit a log.

First, make sure your antivirus software definitions are current, and scan your system for viruses. If nothing's found, try getting a "second opinion" by running TrendMicro's online virus scanner, "HouseCall".

If scanning for viruses doesn't resolve the problem, download, install, update and run Ad-Aware and Spybot as described in this article.

If the problem still isn't resolved, download HijackThis, a malware analysis and removal tool, and submit the log it produces for analysis as described below.

Here's an illustrated guide to installing and running HijackThis that you may find helpful.

With the Windows Explorer, go to C:\, right click and create a folder named HJT. Unzip the downloaded file hijackthis.zip into the newly created directory, C:\HJT.

After installing HijackThis.exe in the directory C:\HJT, run Hijackthis from that directory. Click on the 'scan' button and then 'save log' button. Copy and paste the contents of the text file you saved in a new message in the HijackThis board for review by the trained volunteers. Be sure to post the log in a new message, and describe the problem you're experiencing. DON'T ATTEMPT TO FIX ANYTHING REPORTED BY HIJACKTHIS without expert advice!

Jim

Koz A · Answer

Help!   I'm having big problems with this dr watson C**P, stupid thing freezes my pc as soon as it tries to load. After I enter my password in the logon screen, my pc tries to load but then gets hijacked by dr watson and freezes everything. If I try to click on any of the options it gives me (send/dont send error report) it crashes. the only option that I have is to open task manager and restart my pc. Even the task menager crashes sometimes. After restarting so many times its still the same. I tried system restore but it doeasn't work. I cant even think of any reasons as to why this problems is occuring because I havent installed a software for a while. This is very strange and why is this happening to me? Somebody please help me

Windows General

DrWatson Postmortem Debugger madness

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