MSDebug File TechNote

What is an MSDebug
An MSDebug.txt file is the output created from running the ustation.exe with the -debug switch. The information that gets dumped to the file contains a list of all the configuration files that run, and what variables where set by each file. The -debug switch creates the msdebug.txt file in the same directory where the ustation.exe file is located. The directories for specific versions of MicroStation are outlined below.

• Default location for MicroStation V8 - C:\program files\Bentley\Program\MicroStation
• Default location for MicroStation J - C:\Bentley\Program\Microstation
• Default location for MicroStation 95\SE - C:\win32app\ustation

How to create an MSDebug
You can create the msdebug.txt file several ways. To create an MSDebug.txt file, start MicroStation with the -debug parameter:

1. From a DOS prompt \Command Window

   Go to a Command prompt and change to the directory where ustation.exe is located and type the following command: ustation -debug

   Examples:
   For MicroStation V8 - c:\program files\Bentley\Program\Microstation\ustation -debug
   For MicroStation J - c:\bentley\program\microstation\ustation -debug
   For MicroStation 95\SE - c:\win32app\ustation\ustation -debug
   

   You should get a DOS window that says "Debugging output saved to [msdebug.txt]".
   Hit the escape key.
   Locate the msdebug.txt file in the appropriate directory.
   

2. From the MicroStation shortcut icon

   Insert a -debug switch into the MicroStation shortcut.

   Examples:
   For MicroStation V8 - Shortcut TARGET: "javascript:void(null);" -debug
   For MicroStation J - Shortcut TARGET: "javascript:void(null);" -debug
   For MicroStation 95\SE - Shortcut TARGET: "javascript:void(null);" -debug
   

   Save the changes and then double click the icon.
   You should get a DOS window that says "Debugging output saved to [msdebug.txt]".
   Hit the escape key.
   Locate the msdebug.txt file in the appropriate directory.

   NOTE: Remember to remove the switch from the icon after creating the MSDebug.txt file.

3. From the Windows "Run" command window

   Choose Start > Run
   Type the path to the ustation.exe file
   

   Examples:
   For MicroStation V8 - c:\program files\Bentley\Program\Microstation\ustation.exe -debug
   For MicroStation J - c:\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\Ustation.exe -debug
   For MicroStation 95\SE - c:\win32app\ustation\ustation.exe -debug
   

   Click OK.
   You should get a DOS window that says "Debugging output saved to [msdebug.txt]".
   Hit the escape key
   Locate the msdebug.txt file in the appropriate directory.

How to make use of the MSDebug file
There are basically two sections to the MSDebug file. The first section contains a list of all the configuration files that run, and what variables were set by each file. Each configuration file that gets run has a starting point and an ending point identified as follows:

• Processing macro file [C:\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\config\mslocal.cfg]
• End of macro file [C:\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\config\mslocal.cfg]

Located in-between these two lines are all variables and their settings that get loaded from that particular configuration file:

Examples:

Processing macro file [d:\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\config\system\mslocale.cfg]
(system): MS_SPELLINGLANGUAGE=AmericanEnglish [AmericanEnglish]
(system): MS_HELPLOAD_LANGUAGE=en [en]
End of macro file [d:\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\config\system\mslocale.cfg]

Processing macro file [d:\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\config\appl\qvisgl.cfg]
(appl): MS_GRAPHICSACCELERATOR=qvisgl [qvisgl]
End of macro file [d:\BentleyProgram\MicroStation\config\appl\qvisgl.cfg]

It also indicates at what level the variable has been set, i.e. system, appl, user, site, project, or predefined.

Below is a list of default configuration files that should be listed in the MSDebug.txt:

The last section of the MSDebug.txt file is the Configuration Variable Summary
Here you will find the following:

• A listing of all configuration variables
• At what level each variable was set
• The full path to the location of the files
• Whether or not the variable is locked or unlocked

Using the MSDebug.txt file to help trouble shoot Processor exception errors
The msdebug file can help you trouble shoot Processor exception errors by helping you find where specific files are located. The steps for this procedure are listed below:

1. Create the msdebug.txt file and then open it in notepad.
2. Search for the following variables using the Search > Find drop down menu, in notepad:

   MS_USERPREF (this will tell you where your user preference file is located)
   MS_INITAPPS (this will tell you if any other programs are being initiated during startup)
   MS_SYMBRSRC (this will point you to the location where all the MicroStation resource files are located)
   MS_DGNAPPS (this will tell you what other programs are being launched with MicroStation)
   MS_DGNMACROS (this will tell you what macros are being launched with MicroStation)
   _USTN_UIPATH (this will tell you the location of any *.m0* files)

3. Be sure to click the "next" button in the Search dialog box to be sure you find all instances of the variables.

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