Description of the Power Management troubleshooter tool (185949)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98

This article was previously published under Q185949
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

SUMMARY

This article describes the Power Management Troubleshooter tool (Pmtshoot.exe).

Pmtshoot is a tool that you can use to identify the program or device driver that is preventing your computer from entering either a standby or suspended mode. Pmtshoot monitors your computer when it enters a suspended mode, and then attempts to identify programs or device drivers that may prevent your computer from entering a suspended mode. This article contains the following sections:
  • How to Install the Pmtshoot Tool
  • How to Use the Pmtshoot Tool
  • How to Analyze the Data
  • How to Uninstall the Pmtshoot Tool
IMPORTANT: This article is for informational use only, and does not contain any troubleshooting information. Instead, this article provides a description of a tool that you can use to troubleshoot power management issues. If you are searching for troubleshooting information that is not referred to in this article, please search the Microsoft Knowledge Base again and use the keywords that are listed in the following article:

242450 How to Query the Microsoft Knowledge Base Using Keywords

MORE INFORMATION

When your computer enters a suspended mode and when it resumes, Pmtshoot displays text in sections that correspond to the different phases of the suspended mode process. This information may be useful to help you diagnose the cause of the suspended mode issue.

There are different versions of Pmtshoot that are available, one is on the Windows 98 CD-ROM, and the latest version is located on the Microsoft Support Online Web site. To download the Power Management Troubleshooter tool, download the Pmtshoot.exe file to a new folder, and then double-click the Pmtshoot.exe file to extract its contents.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Microsoft recommends that you install the latest version of Pmtshoot from the Microsoft Web site, but you can use the version of Pmtshoot that is on the Windows 98 CD-ROM to help you resolve the issue if you do not have access to the Internet.

How to Install the Pmtshoot Tool

To install Pmtshoot from the Internet, follow the instructions in the MORE INFORMATION section in this article, and then follow the instructions on the screen to finish the installation procedure. To install the CD-ROM version of Pmtshoot:
  1. Insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type the following path in the Open box (where drive is the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive), and then click OK:

    drive:\tools\mtsutil\pmtshoot\pmtshoot.exe

  3. Click Yes when you are prompted to continue, and then click OK when you are prompted to restart your computer.

How to Use the Pmtshoot Tool

After you install the Pmtshoot tool, it runs automatically when Windows 98 starts. When Pmtshoot is running, your computer can enter a suspended state. As you computer enters a suspended state, Pmtshoot displays all of the activity on your computer in a text report.

After your computer finishes either the suspend or resume process, note the text that is displayed by Pmtshoot. Note that the information that is displayed in red is most relevant to the suspended mode issue. Pmtshoot often displays (in red text) the name of the device and driver that caused the suspended mode issue. With this information, you can make the necessary adjustments to resolve the issue.

You can use Pmtshoot version 1.2 and later to resolve some issues. If Pmtshoot discovers one of these issues, Pmtshoot describes the suggested change and prompts you to choose whether or not you want to make the change. It is recommended that you click Yes when you are prompted to make the change.

If Pmtshoot does not display a dialog box, Pmtshoot cannot fix the issue. This behavior typically occurs when you have an out-of-date device driver. Note the device driver name that is displayed by Pmtshoot, and then contact the appropriate manufacturer for an updated device driver.

How to Analyze the Data

In some cases, Pmtshoot displays a large amount of text, sometimes as much as several thousand lines. To quickly analyze this data:
  1. After your computer resumes from a suspended mode, scroll to the top of the Pmtshoot report.
  2. Scroll down the report, and note any text that is displayed in red. The first occurrence of red text is the most significant. Note the device that is listed and in some cases, also note the device driver. This device is likely to be the cause of the suspend mode issue.
After you determine the cause of the issue, you may want to contact your hardware or software manufacturer for an update that may resolve the issue.

How to Uninstall the Pmtshoot Tool

It is important that you uninstall Pmtshoot when you are finished using it. To do this:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  2. Click PMTShoot - Power Management Trouble Shooter, click Add/Remove, and then click Yes to restart your computer.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/8/2006
Keywords:ATdownload kbdownload kbfile kbgraphxlinkcritical kbinfo kbtshoot KB185949