Windows XP Tips - Troubleshoot Error Logs

Using the event logs in Event Viewer, you can gather information about hardware, software, and system problems. You can also monitor Windows XP security events. To view a complete list of all problems on your computer, open Control Panel - Administrative Tools ? Event Viewer.

There will be at least three logs filed there.

• The application log contains events logged by applications or programs. For example, a database program might record a file error in the application log.
• The security log records events such as valid and invalid logon attempts, as well as events related to resource use such as creating, opening, or deleting files or other objects.
• The system log contains events logged by Windows XP system components. For example, the failure of a driver or other system component to load during startup is recorded in the system log.

Double-click on the log entry for more information. Keep track of the Event ID number and use EventID.net to see if there are any possible solutions to the problem.