System and method for software diagnostics using a combination of visual and dynamic tracing

A method for remotely troubleshooting problems occurring when trying to execute a client program on a remote computer, comprising:

• receiving from a user one or more selected code portions of the client program;
• loading the client program on a remote computer to create an in-memory executable image of said client program;
• loading an information-gathering module on said remote computer, wherein said information-gathering module connects to said client program at runtime by hooking said in-memory executable image for the code portions selected by the user, and wherein said information-gathering module monitors selected events occurring during execution of said client program and stores event data describing said events, and wherein said information-gathering module monitors API events, message events, and program events, said information-gathering module obtains screen captures during execution of said client program;
• loading an information-display module on a second computer;
• and
• sending said event data to said information-display module, wherein said information-display module receives said event data and lists said stored event data, and wherein said information-display module displays screen captures to a user obtained by said information-gathering module.

A system for remotely troubleshooting problems occurring when trying to execute a client program on a remote computer, comprising:

• means for receiving from a user one or more selected code portions of the client program;
• means for monitoring events and capturing screenshots occurring during execution of a client program and storing data describing said events, said events including API events, message events, and program events;
• means for hooking said means for monitoring to an in-memory executable copy of said client program for the code portions selected by the user;
• and
• an information-display module for displaying to a user said data describing said events, wherein said information-display module lists events in chronological order, and wherein said information-display module displays screen captures obtained by said information-gathering module.