Windows XP DEP error

July 6, 2006 9:26 AM

when i log on to windows xp i keep receiving an error message that reads as follows : Data Execution Prevention

when i log on to windows xp i keep recieving an erro message that reads as follows : Data Execution Prevention. it says the affected program is windows explorer and it causes my desktop to refresh. immeadiately after i close then window another one pops up. help?

posted by hominid211 to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Some information on Data Execution Prevention here.

Basically, this is a hardware or software based anti-virus functionality. If you have an Athlon 64, it may be that your processor is blocking explorer due to a viral infection.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 9:34 AM on July 6, 2006

It might not need to be a virus, it could be any explorer add on that was not written to work with data execution.

If explorer is causing the problem it's probably trying to load a 3rd party DLL (like a shell extension) that has that error, or it could simply be corrupted.
posted by delmoi at 10:00 AM on July 6, 2006

Or, it's not C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE that's getting executed but C:\EXPLORER.EXE. Windows will actually look there first, and run it instead of the file in WINDOWS\ if it exists.

Of course you'll have to boot to the recovery console, command-line safe mode, or with a rescue CD to see if this is the case.
posted by chuma at 10:22 AM on July 6, 2006

Verify the size of your C:\Windows\explorer.exe file. (Mine is 1,008KB on a Win XP SP2 install.
Then launch the system properties window. (Windows key + Pause, or Start -> Control Panel -> System)

Click the Advanced tab.

Click the top Settings button.

Click the Data Execution Prevention tab.

Select the second option, and add c:\windows\explorer.exe

Run a comprehensive virus scanning program. I had a problem with a broken copy of windows doing this DEP thing and ended up needing to reinstall XP.
posted by disillusioned at 1:50 PM on July 6, 2006