Working Around DEP

Introduction
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a set of hardware and software technologies that perform
additional checks on memory to help prevent malicious code from running on a system. In
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, DEP
is enforced by hardware and by software.
The primary benefit of DEP is to help prevent code execution from data pages. Typically, code is
not executed from the default heap and the stack. Hardware-enforced DEP detects code that is
running from these locations and raises an exception when execution occurs. Software-enforced
DEP can help prevent malicious code from taking advantage of exception-handling mechanisms in
Windows.

Where Can I Find DEP On My PC?

1. From the desktop on your PC, right-click your mouse on the My Computer icon.
2. From the menu that appears, select the Properties menu option.
3. The System Properties window appears.
4. Click on the Advanced tab.

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 5. In the Performance section of the Advanced tab, click on the Settings button.
6. The Performance Options window appears.
7. Click on the Data Execution Prevention tab.

Is DEP Preventing Your Installation?

At the end of the installation of some of our MatrikonOPC products when the DCOM settings are
set, there are command windows that flash by quickly and require you to press Enter to proceed.
This can indicate that DEP is preventing the installation from occurring. A message should appear
in the command window indicating as such.
Other messages might be displayed when rebooting the system, also indicating that DEP has
prevented a successful installation.
You may not be able to install the program at all.

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Working Around DEP
Note: You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrator’s group to
complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might
also prevent you from completing this procedure.
1. In Windows 2003 server (or Windows XPSP2, if applicable), check to see if DEP is turned on
for all programs.
2. By default, the Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only
option is selected. To successfully install MatrikonOPC products and not experience DEP
issues, leave this option selected.
3. If a change was made, a message appears stating your computer must be restarted before
any changes will take effect.
4. Click on the OK button to close the message window and return to the Performance
Options window.
5. Click on the OK button to close the Performance Options window and return to the
System Properties window.
6. Click on the OK button to close the System Properties window.
7. Restart your computer (if necessary) and then proceed with the installation as normal.

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