Contents
PrcView for Windows 9x and Windows NT

(former PView95)

Copyright 1995-1999 Igor Nys

IgorNys@writeme.com

Introduction

PrcView is a process viewer utility that displays detailed information about the processes running under Windows. Among other things, it gives you the full list of DLL’s for each running process including full path and version information for each loaded module and shows memory, threads, DLL-usage for every process. It also comes with a command line version that allows you to write scripts to check if a process is running, kill a process and do much more.

What’s new in 3.0

•	DLL usage summary - displays all DLL’s currently in use, shows processes which uses selected DLL

•	Displays complete task tree – shows parent/child relationships for all processes in the system

•	Displays Task list like the standard task manager

•	PrcView distribution now includes PV.EXE - a new utility that provides PrcView functionality from the command-line. Use pv –h for more information about available options.

What’s new in 2.0

•	Get the full list of DLL’s for each running process including FULL PATH for each loaded module - discover what DLL’s your process really uses and where they are located.

•	Double click on any module or process to get the full version information

•	Save any view as a tab-separated text file by just pressing F2

•	Process Finder Tool  - just drag the finder icon and drop it to the process Window to select the desired process

•	Smooth update - you don’t need to press the refresh “button” to get the updated list of all processes, PrcView will periodically update the process list for you

•	Resize window, change settings – PrcView saves configuration information and appears on the screen the same next time you start it.

•	New look and nice icons

Installation

No special installation is required on Windows 95/98. Simply create a new, empty folder and place the files PRCVIEW.EXE and PRCVIEW.HLP there. For Windows NT4 you will also need a "PSAPI.DLL" which is usually located in the \WINNT\SYSTEM32 directory. Please read PSAPI.TXT to get information about what is PSAPI and where to get it if this file is missing.

Main Window

The main window shows you a list of running processes including information process Id, priority, and full path to the process module. You can sort columns by clicking on the column header.

Note that although you don’t need to have administrative privilege on Windows NT to run PrcView, list of task PrcView can access depends on your set of privileges.

Show modules

Information about each loaded module including the module name, the module base address in process space, the module size and full to the loaded module path. You can display comprehensive version information by double-clicking the appropriate line in the main or module window

Show threads

Information about all process threads including threads Id and priority. Note that if PrcView uses Performance Data Helper to enumerate threads, it can take a few seconds at the first time to open the list of threads while Windows is loading all necessary libraries.

Show Memory

Information about all memory blocks belonging to the selected process. Contains information about base address, protection, size and state for each memory block.

Show Heaps

Information about all heaps allocated by the selected process. You can display heap memory blocks by double clicking on the appropriate heap in the list box

Show Version

Displays version information about selected module. You can display version information by double-clicking the appropriate line in the main or module window

Kill process

Just another way to kill a selected process. Note that killing a process can cause undesired results including loss of data and system instability. The process will not be given a chance to save its state or data before it is terminated. It is advisable to try the “Notify” button in the “Kill” dialog to close a GUI-based application first (via WM_SYSCOMMAND)

Debug process

Nice way to attach a debugger to a running application. PrcView reads the “AeDebug” key and starts a registered debug application. PrcView allows you not only to select a process to debug but also to associate a particular project with it. This is especially useful while debugging an DLL that has a separate project. Associations are stored in the registry.

Set priority class

Allows you to specify a new priority class for the selected process.

The Process Finder Tool

With the Process Finder Tool you can find the process corresponding to a selected window. To find a process:

•	Arrange your windows so that PrcView and the window of the desired process are visible.

•	Press the Find Process button on the toolbar.

•	Keep left mouse button pressed while dragging the Finder Tool to the desired window.

•	Release mouse button. PrcView will select the corresponding process in the main view.

Process Tree

Shows you the process hierarchy for all running processes. You can select the desired task by clicking on the process item in the Process Tree window.

Module Usage

Information about all loaded modules in the system including the module name, the module base address in process space, the module size and full to the loaded module path. Selecting a module from the module list shows only processes witch use a selected module. Selecting “Module Usage” again returns the main window to the original process list. You can display comprehensive version information by double-clicking the appropriate line in the window.

Show Application

Shows all top-level window titles. You can select the desired task by clicking on the process item in this window. Double-click sends the selected application to the front.

Configuration option

•	Start Minimized – PrcView starts minimized. This option is useful in combination with the “Use System Tray” option if you plan to place PrcView in the “Startup” folder

•	Use System Tray – PrcView places a small icon In the System Tray, hiding itself when minimized

•	Allow Multiply Instances – If turned “on”, PrcView allows to start more than one instance of the program. If turned “off” the instance of PrcView that is already running will be activated.

•	Set Refresh Times – Allows to specify refresh times for main/thread/module windows. If specified time is greater than zero, PrcView will refresh  windows cyclically.

Refreshing Information

Use Menu/Toolbar in the main view or F5 in any view to refresh information in the corresponding window

Save Current View

Use Menu/Toolbar in the main view or  F2 in any view to save information in the corresponding window

Reporting Bugs and Feedback

If you encounter a problem while running PrcView, please visit http://www.teamcti.com to obtain the latest version. If you still have problems, please send a description of your problem to

IgorNys@writeme.com

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER -- READ BEFORE INSTALLING PRCVIEW

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS-IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING AND WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR HIS COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER LOSS) , WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE.