Using Event Viewer

Learn how to use Event Viewer.

To access Event Viewer:

From the Start menu, select All Programs, then select Administrative Tools, and then select Event Viewer.

The Event Viewer window appears.
Select Windows Logs.
Double-click Application to open the Application view window.

Application View Window displays the Application view window, Application View Definitions shows what is recorded in each column, and Event Viewer Icons interprets icons that appear on the left hand side of the viewer.

Figure 7-1 Application View Window

Description of "Figure 7-1 Application View Window"

Table 7-2 Application View Definitions

Column Name	Definition
Date and Time	Date and time at which an event took place
Source	Application that recorded an event
Event ID	Unique number assigned to an event
Task Category	Classification of events

Table 7-3 Event Viewer Icons

Icon	Event Type	Suggested Action
Exclamation Point in Red Circle	Error	Error identification. Always check these icons.
Lowercase "i" in Blue Circle	Information	Noncritical system events. Check these icons only to track a specific event.
Exclamation Point in Yellow Triangle	Warning	Special events, such as instance termination or services shutdown. Investigate these icons, but they are usually noncritical.

Parent topic: About Event Viewer