Data Execution Prevention (crashes explorer.exe)

When i browse to certain directories, mainly ones with video files, i get the following "Data Execution Prevention - Windows has encountered a problem and needs to close." I have tried disabling DEP for windows explorer and now i dont get the DEP message, but i still get "Windows has encountered a problem and needs to close." I've had a similar problem with my old computer where certain video files would cause windows explorer to crash, and i believe the same thing is happening here except that my new CPU uses the DEP feature.

Does anyone know the casue of this problem, and also how to fix it?

i can browse to the folder with a command prompt without any problems.

i use Mcaffee Anti-Spyware & Internet Security, plus i run Adaware. So i would say that i am free of any malware, yes.

Its funny you say that about the thumbs. Right after reading your post i went to the folder in question and my explorer.exe crashed (the view was on thumbs). then i went to a command promt and browsed there fine. then when i browsed there again (in windows explorer) my view was automatically changed to tiles. and it wasnt crashing anymore. then i changed it to thumbnails, and boom, crashes again.

so youre suggestion did help find the source of the problem. and for that i thank you. but im not sure whats causing it. if i had to guess id say it could be becasue i have various types of video files in there, some of them being quicktime. possibly windows cannot generate thumbs for quicktime vids.

i have run into this problem before though with certain xvids also, so im not sure exactly what causes it, but id bet on the fact that the thumbs have something to do with it.

i dont wanna disable thumbs completely because i use them for pictures, but i havent run into the problem anywhere except video directories. so for right now id say the problem is solved.

thanks.

I had a similar problem once, all it took to fix it for me was deleting the thumbnail temp files and letting windows regenerate them. Don't know if that will help though. Hope it does.

What makes this problem suddenly appear?

I had the Prob this solved it for me look down the bottom of this page after the dotted line it tells you how to stop it but you have to reboot after doing it.
hope this helps
ELAGG

Understanding Data Execution PreventionData Execution Prevention (DEP) helps prevent damage from viruses and other security threats that attack by running (executing) malicious code from memory locations that only Windows and other programs should use. This type of threat causes damage by taking over one or more memory locations in use by a program. Then it spreads and harms other programs, files, and even your e-mail contacts.

Unlike a firewall or antivirus program, DEP does not help prevent harmful programs from being installed on your computer. Instead, it monitors your programs to determine if they use system memory safely. To do this, DEP software works alone or with compatible microprocessors to mark some memory locations as "non-executable". If a program tries to run code—malicious or not—from a protected location, DEP closes the program and notifies you.

DEP can take advantage of software and hardware support. To use DEP, your computer must be running Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or later. DEP software alone helps protect against certain types of malicious code attacks but to take full advantage of the protection that DEP can offer, your processor must support "execution protection". This is a hardware-based technology designed to mark memory locations as non-executable. If your processor does not support hardware-based DEP, it's a good idea to upgrade to a processor that offers execution protection features.

Is it safe to run a program again if DEP has closed it?

Yes, but only if you leave DEP turned on for that program. Windows can continue to detect attempts to execute code from protected memory locations and help prevent attacks. In cases where a program does not run correctly with DEP turned on, you can reduce security risks by getting a DEP-compatible version of the program from the software publisher. For more information about what to do after DEP closes a program, click Related Topics.

How can I tell if DEP is available on my computer?
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To open System Properties, click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
Click the Advanced tab and, under Performance, click Settings.
Click the Data Execution Prevention tab.
Note

By default, DEP is only turned on for essential Windows operating system programs and services. To help protect more programs with DEP, select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.

I found the way to disable the thumbnails thru regedit:

Disable Explorer Thumbnail View

Added 12/4/02

If you want disable the Explorer's ability to show the Thumbnail View ,

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced \

Change ClassicViewState to 1


refering site http://www.onecomputerguy.com/wind [...] bnail_view

Do not disable DEP. This is not caused by DEP. Explorer would have crashed anyway, just without the DEP-message.

The simple solution....

In internet explorer go to...

Tools--> internet options--> Advanced (Tab)--> (under) Security--> uncheck "Enable memory protection to help mitigate online attacks"

Click OK.

Close Explorer, restart computer..

***************** I tried your suggestion but what do I do when "Enable memory protection to help mitigate online attacks" is greyed out and I cannot uncheck it???? Thanks for the help!

Try running IE as an administrator.

-BD