Windbg Problem: I can only watch global varialbes, but not local variable

Hi guys,
I’m doing a kernal mode driver project, and use windbg as the kernel mode
debugger. I’m using windbg on a host computer to debug the program on another
target computer connected with the host by a null modem.
When I set a breakpoint, or the driver on the target system crashes, my host
computer can successfully get the breakpoint/crash and show related
information to me.
Now my problem is, in the windbg, I can only check the content of global
variables in the “watch” window, but not those local variables declared in the
functions. I think this problem may be related to the settings of symbol path,
source path etc, but i’m not sure: Since,if the those paths are wrongly set,
then I won’t be able to see global variables either (but in my case, i really
can correctly check those global variables…)

can anybody tell me what could be the reason of this problem? and how to solve
it?
thank you for any advise.


This mail sent through http://webmail.comp.polyu.edu.hk

Do the local variables appear correctly in the locals window?


Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting

wrote in message news:xxxxx@windbg…
> Hi guys,
> I’m doing a kernal mode driver project, and use windbg as the kernel mode
> debugger. I’m using windbg on a host computer to debug the program on
another
> target computer connected with the host by a null modem.
> When I set a breakpoint, or the driver on the target system crashes, my
host
> computer can successfully get the breakpoint/crash and show related
> information to me.
> Now my problem is, in the windbg, I can only check the content of global
> variables in the “watch” window, but not those local variables declared in
the
> functions. I think this problem may be related to the settings of symbol
path,
> source path etc, but i’m not sure: Since,if the those paths are wrongly
set,
> then I won’t be able to see global variables either (but in my case, i
really
> can correctly check those global variables…)
>
> can anybody tell me what could be the reason of this problem? and how to
solve
> it?
> thank you for any advise.
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------
> This mail sent through http://webmail.comp.polyu.edu.hk
>

Be sure to use your checked build of the driver !
Some local variables may be inlined by the compiler depending on the
optimizations you choose.

Norbert.

“A fool and his money are easily parted.”
---- snip ----

Do the local variables appear correctly in the locals window?
---- snip ----

Hi,

I’m Gobinath Krishna,fresher to kernal mode driver project(Windows 2000),i
saw yours question, basically i would like to know why do we need two
machines for testing.If possible could you explain some basics to me.

Regards
Gobinath

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 6:46 PM
Subject: [windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global varialbes, but not
local variable

> Hi guys,
> I’m doing a kernal mode driver project, and use windbg as the kernel mode
> debugger. I’m using windbg on a host computer to debug the program on
another
> target computer connected with the host by a null modem.
> When I set a breakpoint, or the driver on the target system crashes, my
host
> computer can successfully get the breakpoint/crash and show related
> information to me.
> Now my problem is, in the windbg, I can only check the content of global
> variables in the “watch” window, but not those local variables declared in
the
> functions. I think this problem may be related to the settings of symbol
path,
> source path etc, but i’m not sure: Since,if the those paths are wrongly
set,
> then I won’t be able to see global variables either (but in my case, i
really
> can correctly check those global variables…)
>
> can anybody tell me what could be the reason of this problem? and how to
solve
> it?
> thank you for any advise.
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------
> This mail sent through http://webmail.comp.polyu.edu.hk
>
> —
> You are currently subscribed to windbg as: xxxxx@erdcitvm.org
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>

______________________________________
Scanned and protected by Email scanner

Well don’t have to have two machines, you can always pay Compuware a grand
(US dollars) for Softice and debug on a single machine. However, since you
are dealing with kernel mode code, it is quite possible to have a crash
during a time when you don’t want a crash and hose your boot disk. At that
point in time you are literally dead in the water until you unscrew you boot
system which may wind up in a total format and install of your boot disc. If
your development directories happen to be on that disc, you just lost them.
If you’re really good at backing up your probably safe; most of us are, but
even the best of us get caught with our pants down and have to re-write code
we just lost because of a faux paux (??).

Dual system debug on an HT target is highly recommended when debugging
kernel mode code, and generally cheaper than purchasing SoftIce.


Gary G. Little
Seagate Technologies, LLC

“Gobinath Krishna” wrote in message
news:xxxxx@windbg…
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I’m Gobinath Krishna,fresher to kernal mode driver project(Windows 2000),i
> saw yours question, basically i would like to know why do we need two
> machines for testing.If possible could you explain some basics to me.
>
> Regards
> Gobinath
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 6:46 PM
> Subject: [windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global varialbes, but
not
> local variable
>
>
> > Hi guys,
> > I’m doing a kernal mode driver project, and use windbg as the kernel
mode
> > debugger. I’m using windbg on a host computer to debug the program on
> another
> > target computer connected with the host by a null modem.
> > When I set a breakpoint, or the driver on the target system crashes, my
> host
> > computer can successfully get the breakpoint/crash and show related
> > information to me.
> > Now my problem is, in the windbg, I can only check the content of global
> > variables in the “watch” window, but not those local variables declared
in
> the
> > functions. I think this problem may be related to the settings of symbol
> path,
> > source path etc, but i’m not sure: Since,if the those paths are wrongly
> set,
> > then I won’t be able to see global variables either (but in my case, i
> really
> > can correctly check those global variables…)
> >
> > can anybody tell me what could be the reason of this problem? and how to
> solve
> > it?
> > thank you for any advise.
> >
> >
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------
> > This mail sent through http://webmail.comp.polyu.edu.hk
> >
> > —
> > You are currently subscribed to windbg as: xxxxx@erdcitvm.org
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> >
>
>
>
> ______________________________________
> Scanned and protected by Email scanner
>

I am trying to debug a driver for ADM64bit platform ( windows XP64 build
1184). I am using windbg 3.17.
When i do source mode debugging, i could not see the values of the variables
in the locals window.
I tried kd, the same problem.
The variables are showing up. But their value field says “Memory access
error”.

Do you have any idea why this is happening???
Your help will be appreciated.
Thanks,

From: “Gary G. Little”
>Reply-To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
>To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
>Subject: Re:[windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global varialbes, but
>not local variable
>Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 10:30:33 -0500
>
>Well don’t have to have two machines, you can always pay Compuware a grand
>(US dollars) for Softice and debug on a single machine. However, since you
>are dealing with kernel mode code, it is quite possible to have a crash
>during a time when you don’t want a crash and hose your boot disk. At that
>point in time you are literally dead in the water until you unscrew you
>boot
>system which may wind up in a total format and install of your boot disc.
>If
>your development directories happen to be on that disc, you just lost
>them.
>If you’re really good at backing up your probably safe; most of us are, but
>even the best of us get caught with our pants down and have to re-write
>code
>we just lost because of a faux paux (??).
>
>Dual system debug on an HT target is highly recommended when debugging
>kernel mode code, and generally cheaper than purchasing SoftIce.
>
>–
>Gary G. Little
>Seagate Technologies, LLC
>
>“Gobinath Krishna” wrote in message
>news:xxxxx@windbg…
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I’m Gobinath Krishna,fresher to kernal mode driver project(Windows
>2000),i
> > saw yours question, basically i would like to know why do we need two
> > machines for testing.If possible could you explain some basics to me.
> >
> > Regards
> > Gobinath
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From:
> > To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> > Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 6:46 PM
> > Subject: [windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global varialbes, but
>not
> > local variable
> >
> >
> > > Hi guys,
> > > I’m doing a kernal mode driver project, and use windbg as the kernel
>mode
> > > debugger. I’m using windbg on a host computer to debug the program on
> > another
> > > target computer connected with the host by a null modem.
> > > When I set a breakpoint, or the driver on the target system crashes,
>my
> > host
> > > computer can successfully get the breakpoint/crash and show related
> > > information to me.
> > > Now my problem is, in the windbg, I can only check the content of
>global
> > > variables in the “watch” window, but not those local variables
>declared
>in
> > the
> > > functions. I think this problem may be related to the settings of
>symbol
> > path,
> > > source path etc, but i’m not sure: Since,if the those paths are
>wrongly
> > set,
> > > then I won’t be able to see global variables either (but in my case, i
> > really
> > > can correctly check those global variables…)
> > >
> > > can anybody tell me what could be the reason of this problem? and how
>to
> > solve
> > > it?
> > > thank you for any advise.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -------------------------------------------------
> > > This mail sent through http://webmail.comp.polyu.edu.hk
> > >
> > > —
> > > You are currently subscribed to windbg as: xxxxx@erdcitvm.org
> > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Scanned and protected by Email scanner
> >
>
>
>
>—
>You are currently subscribed to windbg as: xxxxx@hotmail.com
>To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com

___________________________
Check out the latest news, polls and tools in the MSN 2004 Election Guide!
http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx

If you break at t he top of the function, I have found that “error>” is common until I step into the function. I’ve also seen this happen
at a bp within a function, but it clears as soon as I then do a step.


Gary G. Little
Seagate Technologies, LLC

“sathya swamy” wrote in message
news:xxxxx@windbg…
> I am trying to debug a driver for ADM64bit platform ( windows XP64 build
> 1184). I am using windbg 3.17.
> When i do source mode debugging, i could not see the values of the
variables
> in the locals window.
> I tried kd, the same problem.
> The variables are showing up. But their value field says “Memory access
> error”.
>
> Do you have any idea why this is happening???
> Your help will be appreciated.
> Thanks,
>
>
> >From: “Gary G. Little”
> >Reply-To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> >To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> >Subject: Re:[windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global varialbes,
but
> >not local variable
> >Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 10:30:33 -0500
> >
> >Well don’t have to have two machines, you can always pay Compuware a
grand
> >(US dollars) for Softice and debug on a single machine. However, since
you
> >are dealing with kernel mode code, it is quite possible to have a crash
> >during a time when you don’t want a crash and hose your boot disk. At
that
> >point in time you are literally dead in the water until you unscrew you
> >boot
> >system which may wind up in a total format and install of your boot disc.
> >If
> >your development directories happen to be on that disc, you just lost
> >them.
> >If you’re really good at backing up your probably safe; most of us are,
but
> >even the best of us get caught with our pants down and have to re-write
> >code
> >we just lost because of a faux paux (??).
> >
> >Dual system debug on an HT target is highly recommended when debugging
> >kernel mode code, and generally cheaper than purchasing SoftIce.
> >
> >–
> >Gary G. Little
> >Seagate Technologies, LLC
> >
> >“Gobinath Krishna” wrote in message
> >news:xxxxx@windbg…
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I’m Gobinath Krishna,fresher to kernal mode driver project(Windows
> >2000),i
> > > saw yours question, basically i would like to know why do we need two
> > > machines for testing.If possible could you explain some basics to me.
> > >
> > > Regards
> > > Gobinath
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From:
> > > To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> > > Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 6:46 PM
> > > Subject: [windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global varialbes,
but
> >not
> > > local variable
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi guys,
> > > > I’m doing a kernal mode driver project, and use windbg as the kernel
> >mode
> > > > debugger. I’m using windbg on a host computer to debug the program
on
> > > another
> > > > target computer connected with the host by a null modem.
> > > > When I set a breakpoint, or the driver on the target system crashes,
> >my
> > > host
> > > > computer can successfully get the breakpoint/crash and show related
> > > > information to me.
> > > > Now my problem is, in the windbg, I can only check the content of
> >global
> > > > variables in the “watch” window, but not those local variables
> >declared
> >in
> > > the
> > > > functions. I think this problem may be related to the settings of
> >symbol
> > > path,
> > > > source path etc, but i’m not sure: Since,if the those paths are
> >wrongly
> > > set,
> > > > then I won’t be able to see global variables either (but in my case,
i
> > > really
> > > > can correctly check those global variables…)
> > > >
> > > > can anybody tell me what could be the reason of this problem? and
how
> >to
> > > solve
> > > > it?
> > > > thank you for any advise.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -------------------------------------------------
> > > > This mail sent through http://webmail.comp.polyu.edu.hk
> > > >
> > > > —
> > > > You are currently subscribed to windbg as: xxxxx@erdcitvm.org
> > > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Scanned and protected by Email scanner
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >—
> >You are currently subscribed to windbg as: xxxxx@hotmail.com
> >To unsubscribe send a blank email to xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>
>
___________________________
> Check out the latest news, polls and tools in the MSN 2004 Election Guide!
> http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx
>
>

Local variables wouldn’t be available at the beginning of a function.
Consider a typical preamble:

push ebp
mov ebp, esp
sub esp, 0xc0

That “sub” operation is allocating the local variable storage. So if
you have a breakpoint at the entry of the function (the push ebp) there
*are* no local variables to display in the kernel debugger. Stepping
into the funtion to the point where the storage is now allocated means
the debugger can display those locations.

Regards,

Tony

Tony Mason
Consulting Partner
OSR Open Systems Resources, Inc.
http://www.osr.com

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxx@lists.osr.com
[mailto:xxxxx@lists.osr.com] On Behalf Of Gary G. Little
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 9:09 AM
To: Kernel Debugging Interest List
Subject: Re:[windbg] Re:Windbg Problem: I can only watch global
varialbes, but not local variable

If you break at t he top of the function, I have found that “access
error>” is common until I step into the function. I’ve also seen this
error>happen
at a bp within a function, but it clears as soon as I then do a step.


Gary G. Little
Seagate Technologies, LLC

“sathya swamy” wrote in message
news:xxxxx@windbg…
> I am trying to debug a driver for ADM64bit platform ( windows XP64
> build 1184). I am using windbg 3.17.
> When i do source mode debugging, i could not see the values of the
variables
> in the locals window.
> I tried kd, the same problem.
> The variables are showing up. But their value field says “Memory
> access error”.
>
> Do you have any idea why this is happening???
> Your help will be appreciated.
> Thanks,
>
>
> >From: “Gary G. Little”
> >Reply-To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> >To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> >Subject: Re:[windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global
> >varialbes,
but
> >not local variable
> >Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 10:30:33 -0500
> >
> >Well don’t have to have two machines, you can always pay Compuware a
grand
> >(US dollars) for Softice and debug on a single machine. However,
> >since
you
> >are dealing with kernel mode code, it is quite possible to have a
> >crash during a time when you don’t want a crash and hose your boot
> >disk. At
that
> >point in time you are literally dead in the water until you unscrew
> >you boot system which may wind up in a total format and install of
> >your boot disc.
> >If
> >your development directories happen to be on that disc, you just
> >lost them.
> >If you’re really good at backing up your probably safe; most of us
> >are,
but
> >even the best of us get caught with our pants down and have to
> >re-write code we just lost because of a faux paux (??).
> >
> >Dual system debug on an HT target is highly recommended when
> >debugging kernel mode code, and generally cheaper than purchasing
SoftIce.
> >
> >–
> >Gary G. Little
> >Seagate Technologies, LLC
> >
> >“Gobinath Krishna” wrote in message
> >news:xxxxx@windbg…
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I’m Gobinath Krishna,fresher to kernal mode driver project(Windows
> >2000),i
> > > saw yours question, basically i would like to know why do we need
> > > two machines for testing.If possible could you explain some basics
to me.
> > >
> > > Regards
> > > Gobinath
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From:
> > > To: “Kernel Debugging Interest List”
> > > Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 6:46 PM
> > > Subject: [windbg] Windbg Problem: I can only watch global
> > > varialbes,
but
> >not
> > > local variable
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi guys,
> > > > I’m doing a kernal mode driver project, and use windbg as the
> > > > kernel
> >mode
> > > > debugger. I’m using windbg on a host computer to debug the
> > > > program
on
> > > another
> > > > target computer connected with the host by a null modem.
> > > > When I set a breakpoint, or the driver on the target system
> > > > crashes,
> >my
> > > host
> > > > computer can successfully get the breakpoint/crash and show
> > > > related information to me.
> > > > Now my problem is, in the windbg, I can only check the content
> > > > of
> >global
> > > > variables in the “watch” window, but not those local variables
> >declared
> >in
> > > the
> > > > functions. I think this problem may be related to the settings
> > > > of
> >symbol
> > > path,
> > > > source path etc, but i’m not sure: Since,if the those paths are
> >wrongly
> > > set,
> > > > then I won’t be able to see global variables either (but in my
> > > > case,
i
> > > really
> > > > can correctly check those global variables…)
> > > >
> > > > can anybody tell me what could be the reason of this problem?
> > > > and
how
> >to
> > > solve
> > > > it?
> > > > thank you for any advise.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -------------------------------------------------
> > > > This mail sent through http://webmail.comp.polyu.edu.hk
> > > >
> > > > —
> > > > You are currently subscribed to windbg as: xxxxx@erdcitvm.org
> > > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
xxxxx@lists.osr.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Scanned and protected by Email scanner
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >—
> >You are currently subscribed to windbg as:
> >xxxxx@hotmail.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> >xxxxx@lists.osr.com
>
>
___________________________
> Check out the latest news, polls and tools in the MSN 2004 Election
Guide!
> http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx
>
>


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