Analysing SQL Server Error Logs; Useful Tool

I recently found quite a useful tool hidden in the Windows Installer SDK developer Kit called WiLogUtl.exe which can be used to analyze / parse not just SQL Server error logs, but any form of text-based log file.  The tool is embedded in the Windows Platform SDK (XPSP2) which can be downloaded from here https://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/platformsdk/sdkupdate/.  The binary file is installed under the following directory tree C:\Program Files\Microsoft Platform SDK for Windows XP SP2\Bin. It's provides a simple yet useful interface for browsing and analyzing those log files which are generated by failed setups and service pack installs. 

I've recently corrected this post (thanks to Matt Tisdel) as I included an incorrect URL (the correct one is shown above).  Further information on WiLogUtl.exe can be found in MSDN here https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/wilogutl_exe.asp and here https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/windows_installer_development_tools.asp

On a slightly different topic, my new favourite RSS reader is now Sauce Reader from Synop https://www.synop.com/Products/SauceReader/Home - this is great for consolidating RSS reads.

Comments

• Anonymous
  February 21, 2005
  Check out Microsoft Log Parser 2.2 You can read more about it on my blog: http://devintelligence.com/blog/archive/2005/01/20/214.aspx
• Anonymous
  February 22, 2005
  I installed from this location, but the utility was not installed anywhere. I believe that it may be the wrong URL or something like that.
• Anonymous
  February 23, 2005
  Thanks Matt. I've updated the URL.