windbg and debugdiag show different thread call stack

  • 9 months ago
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When debugging with WinDbg and using DebugDiag to analyze a crash or hang, it is possible to see different thread call stacks. There are a few reasons why this might happen:

  1. Different Time of Capture:
    WinDbg and DebugDiag may capture the call stacks at different times during the execution of the application. If the application is multi-threaded and the call stacks are captured at different moments, the threads may have advanced to different points in their execution, leading to different call stacks.

  2. Sampling vs. User-Triggered:
    WinDbg often captures call stacks through user-triggered breakpoints, exceptions, or other manual actions. On the other hand, DebugDiag may use sampling or attach to the process during a crash or hang. These different capture methods can result in capturing different call stacks.

  3. Intermittent Issues:
    If the application has intermittent issues or race conditions, the call stacks captured by WinDbg and DebugDiag may vary based on the exact timing of the capture.

  4. Differences in Symbols:
    WinDbg and DebugDiag might be using different symbol files to resolve addresses to function names. If there are discrepancies in the symbol files or symbol paths, it can lead to different representation of the call stacks.

To minimize these discrepancies, ensure that both WinDbg and DebugDiag are capturing call stacks at the same event or exception, if possible. You can use the same symbols for both tools to ensure consistency in function names and source code information.

Additionally, consider using WinDbg with the "sxe" and "sx" commands to set breakpoints or exceptions to capture specific events consistently. With DebugDiag, you can set up specific rules to trigger the analysis at certain events or exceptions.

Finally, when analyzing crash or hang issues, it's valuable to use multiple debugging and analysis tools to cross-reference and corroborate findings. WinDbg and DebugDiag each have their strengths and can complement each other in troubleshooting complex issues.