Software Diagnostics Library

After 4 years in print this bestselling title needs an update to address minor changes, include extra examples and reference additional research published in Volumes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

• Title: Memory Dump Analysis Anthology, Volume 1
• Author: Dmitry Vostokov
• Publisher: OpenTask (Summer 2012)
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 22.86 x 15.24

• Paperback: 800 pages
• ISBN-13: 978-1-908043-35-1

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• ISBN-13: 978-1-908043-36-8

The cover for both paperback and hardcover titles will also have a matte finish. We used A Memory Window artwork for the back cover.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Due to the need to extend existing basic and intermediate Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis training Memory Dump Analysis Services organises advanced training course. Here is the description and registration information:

Learn how to navigate through memory dump space and Windows data structures to troubleshoot and debug complex software incidents. We use a unique and innovative pattern-driven analysis approach to speed up the learning curve. The training consists of practical step-by-step exercises using WinDbg to diagnose structural and behavioral patterns in 32-bit and 64-bit process, kernel and complete memory dumps.

If you are registered you are allowed to optionally submit your memory dumps before the training. This will allow us in addition to the carefully constructed problems tailor extra examples to the needs of the attendees.

The training consists of one four-hour session and additional homework exercises. When you finish the training you additionally get:

1. A full transcript in PDF format (retail price $200)
2. 5 volumes of Memory Dump Analysis Anthology in PDF format (retail price $100)
3. A personalized attendance certificate with unique CID (PDF format)

Prerequisites: Basic and intermediate level Windows memory dump analysis: ability to list processors, processes, threads, modules, apply symbols, walk through stack traces and raw stack data, diagnose patterns such as heap corruption, CPU spike, memory and handle leaks, access violation, stack overflow, critical section and resource wait chains and deadlocks. If you don’t feel comfortable with prerequisites then Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis training is recommended to take (or purchase a corresponding book) before attending this course.

Audience: Software developers, software technical support and escalation engineers.

Session: December 9, 2011 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM GMT

Price: 210 USD

Space is limited.
Reserve your remote training seat now at:
https://student.gototraining.com/24s4l/register/3788047691824598784

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

During the previous several months many people expressed their interest in the training (the next one is scheduled for November) but its time was not suitable due to the very different geographic time zones. So I have decided to publish this training in book format (currently in PDF) and make it available in paperback on Amazon and B&N later. Book details:

• Title: Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis: Training Course Transcript and WinDbg Practice Exercises with Notes
• Description: The full transcript of Memory Dump Analysis Services Training with 21 step-by-step exercises, notes, source code of specially created modeling applications and selected Q&A. Covers about 50 crash dump analysis patterns from process, kernel and complete memory dumps.
• Authors: Dmitry Vostokov, Memory Dump Analysis Services
• Publisher: OpenTask (August 2011)
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 28.0 x 21.6
• Paperback: 360 pages
• ISBN-13: 978-1908043290

Table of Contents

Now available for sale in PDF format from Memory Dump Analysis Services.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Due to popular demand (the previous training was fully booked) Memory Dump Analysis Services scheduled the next training sessions.

Learn how to analyze application, service and system crashes and freezes, navigate through memory dump space and diagnose heap corruption, memory leaks, CPU spikes, blocked threads, deadlocks, wait chains, and much more. We use a unique and innovative pattern-driven analysis approach to speed up the learning curve. The training consists of more than 20 practical step-by-step exercises using WinDbg highlighting more than 50 patterns diagnosed in 32-bit and 64-bit process, kernel and complete memory dumps.

Public preview (selected slides) of the previous training

Memory Dump Analysis Services organizes a training course.

If you are registered you are allowed to optionally submit your memory dumps before the training. This will allow us in addition to the carefully constructed problems tailor extra examples to the needs of the attendees.

The training consists of 4 two-hour sessions (2 hours every day). When you finish the training you additionally get:

1. A full transcript in PDF format (retail price $200)
2. 5 volumes of Memory Dump Analysis Anthology in PDF format (retail price $100)
3. A personalized attendance certificate with unique CID (PDF format)

Prerequisites: Basic Windows troubleshooting

Session 1: November 1, 2011 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM GMT
Session 2: November 2, 2011 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM GMT
Session 3: November 3, 2011 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM GMT
Session 4: November 4, 2011 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM GMT

Price: 210 USD

Space is limited.
Reserve your remote training seat now.

If scheduled dates or time are not suitable for you Memory Dump Analysis Services offers the same training in book format. 

Training testimonials:

I would like to thank you and recommend your training. I think that the “Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis” training is a pin-point, well taught training. I think it’s the leading training in the dump analysis area and I’ve enjoyed it, the books and materials are very detailed and well written and Dmitry answered all of the needed question. In addition after the training Dmitry sent a PDF with written answers and more information about the questions that were asked. I will give this training 5/5. Thank you Dmitry.

Yaniv Miron, Security Researcher, IL.Hack 

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Learn how to analyze application, service and system crashes and freezes, navigate through memory dump space and diagnose heap corruption, memory leaks, CPU spikes, blocked threads, deadlocks, wait chains, and much more. We use a unique and innovative pattern-driven analysis approach to speed up the learning curve.

Memory Dump Analysis Services organizes a training course.

If you are registered you are allowed to optionally submit your memory dumps before the training. This will allow us in addition to the carefully constructed problems tailor extra examples to the needs of the attendees. All registrants will receive an optional pre-test before the first session and an optional test after each session.

The training consists of 2 four-hour sessions (4 hours on the first day and 4 hours on the next day). When you finish the training you additionally get:

1. A full transcript in PDF format (retail price $200)
2. 5 volumes of Memory Dump Analysis Anthology in PDF format (retail price $100)
3. An attendance certificate (PDF format)

Prerequisites: Basic Windows troubleshooting

Session 1: August 1, 2011 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM BST
Session 2: August 2, 2011 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM BST

Price: 210 USD

Space is limited.
Reserve your remote training seat now.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

I’m pleased to announce that MDAA, Volume 5 is available in PDF format:

www.dumpanalysis.org/Memory+Dump+Analysis+Anthology+Volume+5

It features:

- 25 new crash dump analysis patterns
- 11 new pattern interaction case studies (including software tracing)
- 16 new trace analysis patterns
- 7 structural memory patterns
- 4 modeling case studies for memory dump analysis patterns
- Discussion of 3 common analysis mistakes
- Malware analysis case study
- Computer independent architecture of crash analysis report service
- Expanded coverage of software narratology
- Metaphysical and theological implications of memory dump worldview
- More pictures of memory space and physicalist art
- Classification of memory visualization tools
- Memory visualization case studies
- Close reading of the stories of Sherlock Holmes: Dr. Watson’s observational patterns
- Fully cross-referenced with Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, and Volume 4

Its table of contents is available here:

www.dumpanalysis.org/MDAA/MDA-Anthology-V5-TOC.pdf

Paperback and hardcover versions should be available in a week or two. I also started working on Volume 6 that should be available in November-December.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

TestDefaultDebugger has been updated to version 2.0 with the following new features:

- Renamed to TestWER to reflect the shift from default debuggers to WER and LocalDumps (W2K8, Vista and Windows 7)

- The ability to generate software exceptions (by default TestWER generates hardware NULL pointer access violation exception)

- An option to handle generated exceptions (hardware and software) to test such scenarios

- Symbol PDB files are included in the package

Here’s an example stack trace when we select a software exception option and push the big button:

0:000> !analyze -v

[...]

EXCEPTION_RECORD:  0012f4a4 -- (.exr 0x12f4a4)
ExceptionAddress: 7742fbae (kernel32!RaiseException+0x00000058)
   ExceptionCode: e06d7363 (C++ EH exception)
  ExceptionFlags: 00000001
NumberParameters: 3
   Parameter[0]: 19930520
   Parameter[1]: 0012f83c
   Parameter[2]: 00428ef8
  pExceptionObject: 0012f83c
  _s_ThrowInfo    : 00428ef8
  Type            : int

[...]

0:000> k
ChildEBP RetAddr 
0012edb4 775c5610 ntdll!KiFastSystemCallRet
0012edb8 7743a5d7 ntdll!NtWaitForMultipleObjects+0xc
0012ee54 7743a6f0 kernel32!WaitForMultipleObjectsEx+0x11d
0012ee70 774ae2a5 kernel32!WaitForMultipleObjects+0x18
0012eedc 774ae4d1 kernel32!WerpReportFaultInternal+0x16d
0012eef0 7748ff4d kernel32!WerpReportFault+0x70
0012ef7c 004187ee kernel32!UnhandledExceptionFilter+0x1b5
0012f2b4 004161e8 TestWER!abort+0x10f
0012f2e4 004130cb TestWER!terminate+0x33
0012f2ec 7748febe TestWER!__CxxUnhandledExceptionFilter+0x3c
0012f374 775d7fc1 kernel32!UnhandledExceptionFilter+0x127
0012f37c 77569bdc ntdll!__RtlUserThreadStart+0x6f
0012f390 77564067 ntdll!_EH4_CallFilterFunc+0x12
0012f3b8 775c5f79 ntdll!_except_handler4+0x8e
0012f3dc 775c5f4b ntdll!ExecuteHandler2+0x26
0012f48c 775c5dd7 ntdll!ExecuteHandler+0x24
0012f48c 7742fbae ntdll!KiUserExceptionDispatcher+0xf
0012f7e0 00412ac2 kernel32!RaiseException+0×58
0012f818 0041ff1f TestWER!_CxxThrowException+0×48
0012f85c 00403620 TestWER!CTestDefaultDebuggerDlg::OnBnClickedButton1+0xaf
0012f86c 0040382f TestWER!_AfxDispatchCmdMsg+0×45
0012f89c 00402df6 TestWER!CCmdTarget::OnCmdMsg+0×11c
0012f8c0 00409ef8 TestWER!CDialog::OnCmdMsg+0×1d
0012f910 0040a792 TestWER!CWnd::OnCommand+0×92
0012f9ac 00406dea TestWER!CWnd::OnWndMsg+0×36
0012f9cc 00409713 TestWER!CWnd::WindowProc+0×24
0012fa34 004097a2 TestWER!AfxCallWndProc+0×9a
0012fa54 7716fd72 TestWER!AfxWndProc+0×36
0012fa80 7716fe4a user32!InternalCallWinProc+0×23
0012faf8 77170943 user32!UserCallWinProcCheckWow+0×14b
0012fb38 77170b36 user32!SendMessageWorker+0×4b7
0012fb58 747eb4ba user32!SendMessageW+0×7c
0012fb78 747eb51c comctl32!Button_NotifyParent+0×3d
0012fb94 747eb627 comctl32!Button_ReleaseCapture+0×112
0012fbf4 7716fd72 comctl32!Button_WndProc+0xa98
0012fc20 7716fe4a user32!InternalCallWinProc+0×23
0012fc98 7717018d user32!UserCallWinProcCheckWow+0×14b
0012fcfc 7717022b user32!DispatchMessageWorker+0×322
0012fd0c 771651f5 user32!DispatchMessageW+0xf
0012fd30 0040618c user32!IsDialogMessageW+0×586
0012fd44 004071e2 TestWER!CWnd::IsDialogMessageW+0×32
0012fd50 00402dd3 TestWER!CWnd::PreTranslateInput+0×2d
0012fd64 00408dc1 TestWER!CDialog::PreTranslateMessage+0×9a
0012fd78 00403f35 TestWER!CWnd::WalkPreTranslateTree+0×23
0012fd90 00404090 TestWER!AfxInternalPreTranslateMessage+0×41
0012fd9c 00403f80 TestWER!CWinThread::PreTranslateMessage+0xd
0012fda8 004040dd TestWER!AfxPreTranslateMessage+0×19
0012fdb8 00408598 TestWER!AfxInternalPumpMessage+0×2d
0012fde0 00403440 TestWER!CWnd::RunModalLoop+0xc5
0012fe2c 004204ee TestWER!CDialog::DoModal+0×12d
0012fee4 0041fdf5 TestWER!CTestDefaultDebuggerApp::InitInstance+0xce
0012fef8 0040fc3e TestWER!AfxWinMain+0×48
0012ff88 7743d0e9 TestWER!__tmainCRTStartup+0×112
0012ff94 775a19bb kernel32!BaseThreadInitThunk+0xe
0012ffd4 775a198e ntdll!__RtlUserThreadStart+0×23
0012ffec 00000000 ntdll!_RtlUserThreadStart+0×1b

Here’s WinDbg output when we choose to handle exceptions:

0:001> g
(628.a90): Access violation - code c0000005 (first chance)
First chance exceptions are reported before any exception handling.
This exception may be expected and handled.
TestWER64!CTestDefaultDebuggerDlg::OnBnClickedButton1+0×44:
00000001`40024774 c704250000000000000000 mov dword ptr [0],0 ds:00000000`00000000=????????

0:000> g
(628.a90): C++ EH exception - code e06d7363 (first chance)

You can download TestWER package from Citrix support web site:

Download TestWER 2.0

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Memory Dump Analysis Services announces the launch of the first Memory Dump Analysis Audit Service:

http://www.dumpanalysis.com/memory-dump-analysis-audit-service

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Five volumes of cross-disciplinary Anthology (dubbed by the author “The Summa Memorianica”) lay the foundation of the scientific discipline of Memoretics (study of computer memory snapshots and their evolution in time) that is also called Memory Dump and Software Trace Analysis.ca

The 5th volume contains revised, edited, cross-referenced, and thematically organized selected DumpAnalysis.org blog posts about crash dump, software trace analysis and debugging written in February 2010 - October 2010 for software engineers developing and maintaining products on Windows platforms, quality assurance engineers testing software on Windows platforms, technical support and escalation engineers dealing with complex software issues, and security researchers, malware analysts and reverse engineers. The fifth volume features:

- 25 new crash dump analysis patterns
- 11 new pattern interaction case studies (including software tracing)
- 16 new trace analysis patterns
- 7 structural memory patterns
- 4 modeling case studies for memory dump analysis patterns
- Discussion of 3 common analysis mistakes
- Malware analysis case study
- Computer independent architecture of crash analysis report service
- Expanded coverage of software narratology
- Metaphysical and theological implications of memory dump worldview
- More pictures of memory space and physicalist art
- Classification of memory visualization tools
- Memory visualization case studies
- Close reading of the stories of Sherlock Holmes: Dr. Watson’s observational patterns
- Fully cross-referenced with Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, and Volume 4

Product information:

• Title: Memory Dump Analysis Anthology, Volume 5
• Author: Dmitry Vostokov
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 22.86 x 15.24

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (10 December 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-906717-96-4

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (10 December 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-906717-97-1

Back cover features memory space art image Hot Computation: Memory on Fire.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

I’m pleased to announce that MDAA, Volume 4 is available in PDF format:

www.dumpanalysis.org/Memory+Dump+Analysis+Anthology+Volume+4

It features:

- 15 new crash dump analysis patterns
- 13 new pattern interaction case studies
- 10 new trace analysis patterns
- 6 new Debugware patterns and case study
- Workaround patterns
- Updated checklist
- Fully cross-referenced with Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3
- Memory visualization tutorials
- Memory space art

Its table of contents is available here:

http://www.dumpanalysis.org/MDAA/MDA-Anthology-V4-TOC.pdf

Paperback and hardcover versions should be available in a week or two. I also started working on Volume 5 that should be available in December.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

The choice of webinars below mostly reflects my personal preferences and long time desire to speak on topics like systems thinking, troubleshooting tool design and development. The other topic about BSOD minidump analysis was requested by participants in an ongoing survey. There will be more topics in 2011. All forthcoming webinars will be hosted by Memory Dump Analysis Services. The planning list includes:

Systems Thinking in Memory Dump and Software Trace Analysis

Software Troubleshooting and Debugging Tools: Objects, Components, Patterns and Frameworks with UML

• UML basics
• DebugWare patterns
• Unified Troubleshooting Framework
• RADII software development process
• Hands-on exercise: designing and building a tool

Blue Screen Of Death Analysis Done Right: Minidump Investigation for System Administrators

• Making sense of !analyze –v output
• Get extra troubleshooting information with additional WinDbg commands
• Guessing culprits with raw stack analysis
• Who’s responsible: hardware or software?
• Checklist and patterns
• Including hands-on exercises: send your own minidumps

More detailed information will be available soon. 

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Memory Dump Analysis Services (DumpAnalysis.com) organizes a free webinar

Date: 18th of August 2010
Time: 21:00 (BST) 16:00 (Eastern) 13:00 (Pacific)
Duration: 90 minutes

Topics include:

- User vs. kernel vs. physical (complete) memory space
- Challenges of complete memory dump analysis
- Common WinDbg commands
- Patterns
- Common mistakes
- Fiber bundles
- Hands-on exercise: a complete memory dump analysis
- A guide to DumpAnalysis.org case studies

Prerequisites: working knowledge of basic user process and kernel memory dump analysis or live debugging using WinDbg 

The webinar link will be posted before 18th of August on DumpAnalysis.com

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Our future sponsor has been registered in Ireland and has its own independent website and logo: DumpAnalysis.com

More information will be available later this month.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

OpenTask to offer first 3 volumes of Memory Dump Analysis Anthology in one set:

The set is available exclusively from OpenTask e-Commerce web site starting from June. Individual volumes are also available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores worldwide.

Product information:

• Title: Modern Memory Dump and Software Trace Analysis: Volumes 1-3
• Author: Dmitry Vostokov
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 22.86 x 15.24
• Paperback: 1600 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (31 May 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-906717-99-5

Information about individual volumes:

• Volume 1
• Volume 2
• Volume 3

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Plan to start providing training and seminars in my free time. If you are interested please answer these questions (you can either respond here in comments or use this form for private communication http://www.dumpanalysis.org/contact):

• Are you interested in on-site training, prefer traveling or attending webinars?
• Are you interested in software trace analysis as well?
• What specific topics are you interested in?
• What training level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) are you interested in? (please provide an example, if possible)

Additional topics of expertise that can be integrated into training include Source Code Reading and Analysis, Debugging, Windows Architecture, Device Drivers, Troubleshooting Tools Design and Implementation, Multithreading, Deep Down C and C++, x86 and x64 Assembly Language Reading.

Looking forward to your responses. Any suggestions are welcome.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

I’m very pleased to announce that the Korean edition is available:

The book can be found on: 

• Acorn (The Korean translation publisher)
• Kyobo book
• Yes24.com

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

As soon as I dug out the 3rd edition of this book to download samples for my internal projects I found that the new edition was published this month! I read all of them and now ordering the 4th edition:

Windows System Programming (4th Edition)

Actually I re-read the 2nd edition of Johnson M. Hart’s book when looking for a job in 2003 and coupled with timely reading of John Robbings’ book Debugging Applications (1st 2000 edition) secured my landing in Dublin East Point Business Park.

This book is an essential reading for Windows memory dump analysts, software maintenance and escalation engineers, software defect researchers and software tool developers. It lucidly describes and succinctly illustrates user-land Windows API with practical console mode samples in plain C. This book is especially valuable for software engineers coming from UNIX background because the author draws various parallels and provides maps between UNIX / Pthreads and Win32 / 64 APIs. Highly recommended! Plan to post an Amazon review when I get the copy of the 4th edition.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

This is a revised, edited, cross-referenced and thematically organized volume of selected DumpAnalysis.org blog posts about crash dump analysis and debugging written in July 2009 - January 2010 for software engineers developing and maintaining products on Windows platforms, quality assurance engineers testing software on Windows platforms and technical support and escalation engineers dealing with complex software issues. The fourth volume features:

- 13 new crash dump analysis patterns
- 13 new pattern interaction case studies
- 10 new trace analysis patterns
- 6 new Debugware patterns and case study
- Workaround patterns
- Updated checklist
- Fully cross-referenced with Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3
- New appendixes

Product information:

• Title: Memory Dump Analysis Anthology, Volume 4
• Author: Dmitry Vostokov
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 22.86 x 15.24

• Paperback: 410 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (30 March 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-906717-86-5

• Hardcover: 410 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (30 April 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-906717-87-2

Back cover features memory space art image: Internal Process Combustion.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

“Memory dumps are facts.”

I’m very excited to announce that Volume 3 is available in paperback, hardcover and digital editions:

Memory Dump Analysis Anthology, Volume 3

Table of Contents

In two weeks paperback edition should also appear on Amazon and other bookstores. Amazon hardcover edition is planned to be available in January 2010.

The amount of information was so voluminous that I had to split the originally planned volume into two. Volume 4 should appear by the middle of February together with Color Supplement for Volumes 1-4. 

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org -

This is a revised, edited, cross-referenced and thematically organized volume of selected DumpAnalysis.org blog posts about crash dump analysis and debugging written in October 2008 - June 2009 for software engineers developing and maintaining products on Windows platforms, quality assurance engineers testing software on Windows platforms and technical support and escalation engineers dealing with complex software issues. The third volume features:

- 15 new crash dump analysis patterns
- 29 new pattern interaction case studies
- Trace analysis patterns
- Updated checklist
- Fully cross-referenced with Volume 1 and Volume 2
- New appendixes

Product information:

• Title: Memory Dump Analysis Anthology, Volume 3
• Author: Dmitry Vostokov
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 22.86 x 15.24

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (20 December 2009)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-906717-43-8

• Hardcover: 404 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (30 January 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-906717-44-5

Back cover features 3D computer memory visualization image.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org -