How to turn on debug logging in the Windows Time Service (816043)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition



The following applies to a beta product. Use the following command in Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 2 English and in Windows Longhorn Server Beta 1 to enable debug logging in the Windows Time Service:

w32tm /debug /enable /file:c:\windows\debug\w32time.log /size:1000000 /entries:0-116

w32tm /debug /enable /file:c:\windows\debug\w32time.log /size:1000000 /entries:0-300

This will give the most detailed logging.

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry



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SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to turn on debug logging for the Windows Time service (also known as W32time). If you are an administrator, you can use the debug logging feature of the Windows Time service to help troubleshoot issues.

Note Microsoft recommends that you use debug logging after you have performed all other troubleshooting steps. Because of the nature of the detailed information in the debug log, you may have to contact a Microsoft Support Professional.

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Turn On Debug Logging for the Windows Time Service

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
To turn on debug logging in the Windows Time service:
  1. Start Registry Editor.
  2. Locate and then click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config

  3. On the Edit menu, click New Value, and then add the following registry values:
    • Value Name: FileLogSize
      Data Type: DWORD
      Value data: 10000000

      This registry value specifies the size of the log file in bytes.
    • Value name: FileLogName
      Data Type: String
      Value data: C:\Windows\Temp\w32time.log

      This registry value specifies the location of the log file. The path is not fixed. You can use a different path.
    • Value name: FileLogEntries
      Data Type: String
      Value: 0-116

      This registry value specifies the level of detail of the information in the debug log. If you must have more detailed logging information, contact a Microsoft Support Professional.

      Note The Data Type value must be of type REG_SZ (String). You must type the value exactly as shown (that is, type 0-116). The highest possible value is 0-300 for most detailed logging. The meaning of this value is: Log all entries within the range of 0 and 116.
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Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/22/2005
Keywords:kbMgmtServices kbHOWTOmaster KB816043