Data Execution Prevention (DEP) messages

Question

everytime i open 'my pictures', i get the message that DEP (data execution prevention) is closing it down. apparently i can choose to either have DEP (1) run for essential programs only which is the default setting. (2) or i can choose to have it run for all programs except those that i specifically choose by 'adding' them to a list.      i also understand that something i may have downloaded recently may be triggering this DEP thing. but how in the world am i supposed to find out what may have caused it. i've downloaded all sorts of stuff including antivirus, firewalls, etc and quite a few pictures/videos from my camera.        i dont know how to add any specific program like 'my pictures' to the list, meaning i'm not sure exactly what to type. as it is, when i check the #2 choice, the box where i can add things to the list, there is already one item listed which is 'Windows Explorer'.  if i choose that item, am i essentially disabling DEP?  and, if that is the case, can i live without this thing called DEP?    i dont see any choice where i can just turn off DEP. from what i gather, DEP is  relatively new (since XPsp2) and somehow computers survived without it all these years. maybe i can too?   i9300 w/XPsp2 M730 512 RAM 17 UXGA 100 GB HD 128 MB x 300 Video 24 CD-RW/DVD

Denny Denham · Answer

johnnyyooper, The information here should be helpful.

JRosenfeld · Answer

To turn DEP off, edit boot.ini file as in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352/

johnnyyooper · Answer

thanks for the link Denny. i did try checking the other box and ended up with "DEP for everything except Windows Explorer". it seems to have stopped the DEP messages, at least for my pictures/videos. i wonder how vulnerable that leaves me and also, if i followed JR's info and turned off DEP altogether, i wonder what the consequences of having no DEP is. any opinions? jy.

i9300 w/XPsp2
M730
512 RAM
17 UXGA
100 GB HD
128 MB x 300 Video
24 CD-RW/DVD

Windows General

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