DEP problem...can it be eliminated?

Data Execution Prevention just became a problem. During an attempt to install `ZoneAlarm Suite for Vista, up came the DEP. I tried to uninstall what I had already on the computer and DEP stopped my Uninstaller program.

If this is a Acer program, can I just turn DEP off for good with the command line after using the bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff?

Will the DEP program return after I reboot?

Is there a downside to turning this off for good since I am using an Extensa 5620-4025 with 2GB of memory and Vista 32?

 

DEP is a Windows service. Check out the screenshot to see how to Turn On/Off DEP on XP. It will be in the same(or similar) way on Vista



From XP Help - What is DEP?

Data 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.

From XP Help - 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.

No.

 

As atthegates said DEP is a windows service and you would be wise to leave it alone. Trust me on this one it has saved me a few times in the past.

AFAIK dep shouldn't interfere with a program install unless that program is doing something that is "out of the norm" under normal program execution.

Anyway after a quick search of the zonealarm forums I think I have found the answer to your problem. Apparently your problem only happens to acer computers that have Acer eDataSecurity Management running; eDataSecurity Management is part of acer's empowering technology suite of components that comes installed on all acers.

You can checkout the solution here.

Hope that helps you...