Unhandled exceptions are caught by the Visual Studio JIT debugger instead of Dr. Watson or a third-party debugger after you install certain versions of SQL Server 2005

To resolve this issue, use either of the following methods. Use the method that is more appropriate for your situation.

Method 1: Re-enable the Dr. Watson program to catch unhandled exceptions

You can re-enable the Dr. Watson program to catch unhandled exceptions. After you do this, the Visual Studio JIT debugger will no longer catch unhandled exceptions. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER:
   drwtsn32 -i

Method 2: Re-enable a third-party debugger to catch unhandled exceptions

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

If you were previously using a third-party debugger to catch unhandled exceptions, you can re-enable it. After you do this, the Visual Studio JIT debugger will no longer catch unhandled exceptions. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In a text editor such as Notepad, paste the following text. Paste only the text that is appropriate for the operating system.
   • 32-bit operating system

     Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
     
     [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug]
     "Auto"="1"
     "Debugger"="<DebuggerParameters>"
      

   • 64-bit operating system

     Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
     
     [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug]
     "Auto"="1"
     "Debugger"="<DebuggerParameters>"
     
     [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug]
     "Auto"="1"
     "Debugger"="<DebuggerParameters>"
     
      

2. Replace the <DebuggerParameters> text with the correct values and parameters to start your debugger. See your debugger product documentation for more information.
3. On the File menu, click Save.
4. In the File name list, type debugger.reg.
5. In the Save in list, locate the folder where you want to save the Debugger.reg file, and then click Save.
6. Exit the text editor.
7. Locate and then double-click the debugger.reg file that you saved in step 5.
8. Click Yes when you are prompted.
   
   Important Your debugger may require additional steps to re-enable it. See your debugger product documentation for more information.