64 bit (32 bit compatible) processors.

[Derek]

Recently I purchased a new laptop computer. I am fairly computer literate
but do not have a good understanding for the complexities of 32/64 bit
architecture. No mention/warning was made by the vendor that the processor
(Intel Pentium M processor 760) was 64 bit (compatible 32 bit) or the
implications.

The first programme I installed caused the computer to become unstable and
Blue Screened on Shutdown and Bootup. On each bootup the HD was scanned
which revealed additional corrupt/truncated files (fortunately I am able to
recover to Factory Settings).
The programme vendors recommended that I change a statement in the boot.ini
file from "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition /noexecute=optin" to read
"noexecute=AlwaysOff", this amends the Data Execution Prevention (DEP).
This stopped the instability but of course slightly reduces the security put
in place by SP2.

However I am still having problems installing my ISS's "BlackICE PC
Protector" and now I have noticed a minor problem with Sunbelt's
"CounterSpy" (sister programme to MS AntiSpyware). The computer
Manufacturer's Help Desk (Acer) explained that I will be a guinea pig and
that things will improve with the arrival of Microsoft's new operating
system and programmes written for 64 bit operation, no mention of a free
upgrade when the time comes.

So anyone thinking of replacing their old computers, beware the architecture
of the processor in the new machine.

 

[RangeRover 11]

Derek,

Sorry to hear that you have such a problem with your 64bit CPU. I have
an AMD 64bit proccessor and it's Dual core (or X2) to add to the new
technology basket. I also am using a Sli-ready ASUS MoBo which is the
cherry on top for New and Untested technology; so to speak.
The thing is that I took great pains to make sure that it would not be
an issue to run XPsp2 and all programs. I CAN install XP 64bit edition,
but I haven't yet. With the normal 64bit AMD and 32bit XPsp2,I have no
problem with anything (the DEP has it's own issue's regardless). I
think you may just have an unlucky purchase option (home edition would
be the first thing I would change -go Pro-).
Also, your problems seem to be with security based programs (I think XP
Pro is more flexible there as well) only. You may have issues with
Windows 64 and many older programs, but as far as running a 64bit
processor with a 32bit platform and running software, maybe you should
have gone AMD which at this point seems to be the front-runner in 64bit
processors
Long and short is that while you may have had some probs with a few
programs, I don't think that it is as much that your PC - or anyone's-
shouldn't work correctly with existing technology, but that you are yet
to reap the full benefits of it until there is moresoftware written to
take advantage of the 64bit architecturethat things will improve with the arrival of Microsoft's new operating

system and programmes written for 64 bit operation

Microsoft already came out with a 'new O/S' for that, the XP 64bit
edition. I am not saying I think it is better, but you are certainly
not even running an operating system that uses your potential with
regular XP.
The new release is Vista
The point I am making is that you are getting 'newer' technology, but
that shouldn't be such a bad thing. You SHOULD (like me) have no
significant problem with a decent 64/backward 32bit processor. You are
Intel, I went AMD because the AMD64 had a good rep.

I don't think people shoud be scared away from getting 64bit CPU's or
even Dual Core 64bit CPU's.

I have both and Sli-ready MoBo (which means I can run two graphics
cards in tandem)
So the 64CPU, the Dual Core, the Sli-technology:
ALL of it I can run as if I had gone with the industry standards, but I
look forward to the longer shelf-life this PC will have while still
using it now with software that doesn't take full advantage of it's
possibility.
For instance, I have a N Extreme GeForce 6800 GT Which I don't get to
see the benefits in speed with some games, but when they write the
games that do take advantage of hyper-threading, Multi-processor,
Dual-Core (whatever) and with the Sli-tecnology, I am prepared to not
only enjoy good performance now, but look forward to enhanced
performance later.

So don't give up if you read Derek's posting. Not everyone will have
the best experience when they are taking steps forward, but if you
research your purchase first, I think you too will be happy for a while
to come. I know I hate to get a PC and find it 'old-fashioned' in a
year.

**The AMD X2 while supposedly not being so useful with gaming bcz the
games aren't written to use two cores, I have found that ALL things
benefit from this technology. Since any given CPU can only do one task
at a time and while I may do something like burn a disk (which sends my
CPU to 100%) I can now see that 100% on one core and have the other
core running a different application simultaneously with ease. Even
when I had a virus that was running my CPU through the roof while idle,
I was able to quickly deal with it through my other core without the PC
moving like a snail or crashing.
While your games may still run at the speed denoted by one of your
cores, any other process that needs attention can call on the other
core instead of causing a lag in response time. For all other purposes,
take a 64bit dual/X's2 CPU and open the task manager and watch how it
deals with running your proccesses.
I vote Yes!

Sorry about you experience Derek,
RangeRover11

 

[Malke]

Recently I purchased a new laptop computer. I am fairly computer
literate but do not have a good understanding for the complexities of
32/64 bit
architecture. No mention/warning was made by the vendor that the
processor (Intel Pentium M processor 760) was 64 bit (compatible 32
bit) or the implications.

The first programme I installed caused the computer to become unstable
and
Blue Screened on Shutdown and Bootup. On each bootup the HD was
scanned which revealed additional corrupt/truncated files (fortunately
I am able to recover to Factory Settings).
The programme vendors recommended that I change a statement in the
boot.ini file from "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
/noexecute=optin" to read "noexecute=AlwaysOff", this amends the Data
Execution Prevention (DEP). This stopped the instability but of course
slightly reduces the security put in place by SP2.

However I am still having problems installing my ISS's "BlackICE PC
Protector" and now I have noticed a minor problem with Sunbelt's
"CounterSpy" (sister programme to MS AntiSpyware). The computer
Manufacturer's Help Desk (Acer) explained that I will be a guinea pig
and
that things will improve with the arrival of Microsoft's new
operating system and programmes written for 64 bit operation, no
mention of a free upgrade when the time comes.

So anyone thinking of replacing their old computers, beware the
architecture of the processor in the new machine.

You got incorrect information from Acer tech support. AMD 64 processors
have no problem running 32-bit code. I very much doubt that the Acer
came preinstalled with the 64-bit version of Windows XP. All the Acers
I've seen (quite a few) with the AMD 64 chip have come with the 32-bit
version of Windows XP.

You have other problems on your computer. If the machine was
blue-screening out of the box, return it for a refund.

Malke

 

[Robert Moir]

Recently I purchased a new laptop computer. I am fairly computer
literate but do not have a good understanding for the complexities of
32/64 bit architecture. No mention/warning was made by the vendor
that the processor (Intel Pentium M processor 760) was 64 bit
(compatible 32 bit) or the implications.

There should be few implications when you are using the processor as a 32
bit processor.

The first programme I installed caused the computer to become
unstable and Blue Screened on Shutdown and Bootup. On each bootup
the HD was scanned which revealed additional corrupt/truncated files
(fortunately I am able to recover to Factory Settings).
The programme vendors recommended that I change a statement in the
boot.ini file from "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
/noexecute=optin" to read "noexecute=AlwaysOff", this amends the Data
Execution Prevention (DEP). This stopped the instability but of
course slightly reduces the security put in place by SP2.

Yes. Shocking advice considering that DEP compatible processors and SP2 have
been out for a while now.

However I am still having problems installing my ISS's "BlackICE PC
Protector" and now I have noticed a minor problem with Sunbelt's
"CounterSpy" (sister programme to MS AntiSpyware). The computer
Manufacturer's Help Desk (Acer) explained that I will be a guinea pig
and that things will improve with the arrival of Microsoft's new
operating system and programmes written for 64 bit operation, no
mention of a free upgrade when the time comes.

If this is what they told you then ACER are messing you around, either by
giving you bad advice or by selling you bad hardware. Windows XP Home is a
32 bit operating system. With this installed on your computer, your computer
*is* a 32bit system. Your issues are not related to 64 bit compatability
issues.

So anyone thinking of replacing their old computers, beware the
architecture of the processor in the new machine.

I think you've been given bad advice that has led you to an erroneous
conclusion. I'd agree that 64 bit desktop computing isn't quite "there" yet,
but in the situation you describe, it is a total irrelevancy because you are
not using this computer in that way.

--
--
Rob Moir, MS MVP
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ - http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked "Have you
checked (event viewer / syslog)".

 

[Kerry Brown]

Recently I purchased a new laptop computer. I am fairly computer
literate but do not have a good understanding for the complexities of
32/64 bit architecture. No mention/warning was made by the vendor
that the processor (Intel Pentium M processor 760) was 64 bit
(compatible 32 bit) or the implications.

The first programme I installed caused the computer to become
unstable and Blue Screened on Shutdown and Bootup. On each bootup
the HD was scanned which revealed additional corrupt/truncated files
(fortunately I am able to recover to Factory Settings).
The programme vendors recommended that I change a statement in the
boot.ini file from "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
/noexecute=optin" to read "noexecute=AlwaysOff", this amends the Data
Execution Prevention (DEP). This stopped the instability but of
course slightly reduces the security put in place by SP2.

However I am still having problems installing my ISS's "BlackICE PC
Protector" and now I have noticed a minor problem with Sunbelt's
"CounterSpy" (sister programme to MS AntiSpyware). The computer
Manufacturer's Help Desk (Acer) explained that I will be a guinea pig
and that things will improve with the arrival of Microsoft's new
operating system and programmes written for 64 bit operation, no
mention of a free upgrade when the time comes.

So anyone thinking of replacing their old computers, beware the
architecture of the processor in the new machine.

I have sold quite a few Acer notebooks with that CPU. None of them has
problems like you are experiencing. This leads me to believe that either you
have a defective notebook or more likely something you have installed is
causing a problem. I would backup your data and restore to the factory
settings. Do not install any programs at this time. See if you can duplicate
the problem. If not then install your programs one at a time testing after
each one to see which one is causing the problem. I suspect Blackice may be
the culprit. A Google search comes up with many people having problems with
Blackice and DEP.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=blackice+dep&btnG=Google+Search

Kerry

 

[Derek]

You got incorrect information from Acer tech support. AMD 64 processors
have no problem running 32-bit code. I very much doubt that the Acer
came preinstalled with the 64-bit version of Windows XP. All the Acers
I've seen (quite a few) with the AMD 64 chip have come with the 32-bit
version of Windows XP.

You have other problems on your computer. If the machine was
blue-screening out of the box, return it for a refund.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

No it came with 32 bit version of Windows XP SP2 Home. My Acer has an Intel
Pentium M processor 760.
It did not blue screen until I tried to install Internet Security System's
"BlackICE PC Protector" (Firewall) and chanmging tjhe boot.ini file resolved
that problem.
Derek

 

[Derek]

There should be few implications when you are using the processor as a 32
bit processor.


Yes. Shocking advice considering that DEP compatible processors and SP2
have been out for a while now.


If this is what they told you then ACER are messing you around, either by
giving you bad advice or by selling you bad hardware. Windows XP Home is a
32 bit operating system. With this installed on your computer, your
computer *is* a 32bit system. Your issues are not related to 64 bit
compatability issues.


I think you've been given bad advice that has led you to an erroneous
conclusion. I'd agree that 64 bit desktop computing isn't quite "there"
yet, but in the situation you describe, it is a total irrelevancy because
you are not using this computer in that way.

--
--
Rob Moir, MS MVP
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ -
http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked "Have
you checked (event viewer / syslog)".

Hi Robert,
Your reasoning makes sense, but here am I with a new machine that blue
screens with the first programme I install. Incidentally I have used
BlackICE (BI) for a number of years with XP SP1 & SP2 computers. I am
advised by the BI Help Desk to modify the DEP statement in the boot.ini,
which stops the blue screening. Who do I now apportion with the blame BI,
Acer or Intel?
Derek

 

[Derek]

I have sold quite a few Acer notebooks with that CPU. None of them has
problems like you are experiencing. This leads me to believe that either
you have a defective notebook or more likely something you have installed
is causing a problem. I would backup your data and restore to the factory
settings. Do not install any programs at this time. See if you can
duplicate the problem. If not then install your programs one at a time
testing after each one to see which one is causing the problem. I suspect
Blackice may be the culprit. A Google search comes up with many people
having problems with Blackice and DEP.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=blackice+dep&btnG=Google+Search

Kerry

Kerry
I have had the computer for nearly two weeks now and have recovered to the
Factory Settings more times than my poor old Granny had hot dinners. Joking
apart, I am not really a computer wiz kid and all I wanted was a nice new
shiny computer which was possible a bit faster than my old steam driven
version. I have been left with one or more problems, which I could well do
without.
Derek

 

[Kerry Brown]

Kerry
I have had the computer for nearly two weeks now and have recovered
to the Factory Settings more times than my poor old Granny had hot
dinners. Joking apart, I am not really a computer wiz kid and all I
wanted was a nice new shiny computer which was possible a bit faster
than my old steam driven version. I have been left with one or more
problems, which I could well do without.
Derek

Sometimes you have to do a bit of troubleshooting. If you can't or won't do
it yourself you will have to pay someone else. Complaing about a problem but
not trying to find it's cause will get you nowhere. At the very least try
uninstalling Blackice.

Kerry

 

[Kerry Brown]

Hi Robert,
Your reasoning makes sense, but here am I with a new machine that blue
screens with the first programme I install. Incidentally I have used
BlackICE (BI) for a number of years with XP SP1 & SP2 computers. I am
advised by the BI Help Desk to modify the DEP statement in the
boot.ini, which stops the blue screening. Who do I now apportion
with the blame BI, Acer or Intel?
Derek

DEP is a good thing. Acer made a computer which supports DEP. Microsoft made
an OS that supports DEP. Blackice wrote a program that doesn't. Their
program has a bug if it causes a problem with DEP. It is writing to an area
of memory it shouldn't be writing to.

Kerry

 

[Robert Moir]

Hi Robert,
Your reasoning makes sense, but here am I with a new machine that blue
screens with the first programme I install.

Then you either have a faulty computer or a faulty program, I'm very sad to
say. I do sympathise, we all like new things and it is very frustrating when
they have problems like this.

Incidentally I have used
BlackICE (BI) for a number of years with XP SP1 & SP2 computers. I am
advised by the BI Help Desk to modify the DEP statement in the
boot.ini, which stops the blue screening. Who do I now apportion
with the blame BI, Acer or Intel?
Derek

Well SP2 introduced mainstream support for DEP in Windows in August 2004, I
think it was. Around that time certainly. Processor support for this feature
was present before that time (with Intel lagging somewhat behind AMD in
introducing this to standard PCs).

So we're something like 16 or 17 months on from this feature being
introduced.

I'd have to say that security software that does not support a security
feature that was "released" nearly a year and a half ago, and which actually
asks you to turn off that feature, has to be viewed with some suspicion;
either the software has serious issues that prevent such an obvious flaw
being fixed in a timely manner, its outdated and can't be expected to serve
in a front-line role any more or the vendor simply doesn't care.

--
--
Rob Moir, MS MVP
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ - http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked "Have you
checked (event viewer / syslog)".

 

[Derek]

You got incorrect information from Acer tech support. AMD 64 processors
have no problem running 32-bit code. I very much doubt that the Acer
came preinstalled with the 64-bit version of Windows XP. All the Acers
I've seen (quite a few) with the AMD 64 chip have come with the 32-bit
version of Windows XP.

You have other problems on your computer. If the machine was
blue-screening out of the box, return it for a refund.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Hi Malke,
Since my original post I have been reading up on this problem of 64 bit processors Blue Screening (see http://www.devhardware.com/index2.php?option=content&task=view&id=1430&pop=1&page=0&hide_js=1 & http://www.intel.com/business/bss/infrastructure/security/xdbit.htm also http://www.intel.com/business/bss/infrastructure/security/xdbit.htm) it would appear that some form of "buffer overflow" is activated (by XP SP2) in 64 bit processors. Sp2 affords only limited protection for 32 bit processors against "buffer overflow".
BlackICE (BI) have protection against "buffer overflow" and it is this which conflicts with the provision for "buffer overflow" in 64 bit processors with SP2, their staff are reviewing the problem. However, BI are not the only software affected with this problem.
Some software may start to cause problems under SP2's NX (No eXecute) protections. Microsoft says (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;878474) that systems with mpegport.sys can begin to start randomly rebooting and producing blue screens. mpegport.sys is provided by some DVD playing software. Other types of software that depends on 'interesting' and 'unorthodox' programming, such as just-in-time (JIT) compiled programs and potentially emulators and virtual machines may begin to fail. This is because JIT compiled programs need to execute what is in the data pages. Nobody knows exactly what is going to fail until it does, and when it fails, the user will be presented with a blue screen since SP2 can't differentiate between a DVD decoder and a worm.

Extract from http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;878474
Derek

 

[Derek]

Sometimes you have to do a bit of troubleshooting. If you can't or won't
do it yourself you will have to pay someone else. Complaing about a
problem but not trying to find it's cause will get you nowhere. At the
very least try uninstalling Blackice.

Kerry

Kerry,
I had already tried uninstalling BlackICE which resolved the problem.
The reason I came to this newsgroup was an attempt to discover the reason
and possible answer to my problem, so far I have not received much
constructive assistance. See my post
in answer to Malke.
Derek

 

[Kerry Brown]

Derek wrote:

Kerry,
I had already tried uninstalling BlackICE which resolved the problem.
The reason I came to this newsgroup was an attempt to discover the
reason and possible answer to my problem, so far I have not received
much constructive assistance. See my post
in answer to Malke.
Derek

Derek

I read the other post. It appears you do not understand what DEP is or how
it works. Progams that cause DEP exceptions are doing something wrong. Just
because it used to be fairly common for some compilers to "optimize" code in
a way that now causes a DEP exception doesn't mean that DEP is something bad
or at fault. In a properly written program there is no need to execute code
from an area of memory reserved for data. To allow this is a major security
risk that goes way beyond just buffer overflows. The links you provided
actually say that DEP is a good thing but that older programs may have
problems with DEP enabled, exactly what happened to you.

Several people in this newsgroup tried to help you. The solution to your
problem was pinpointed by several people. Black Ice needs to be updated to
support DEP. If they can't then their technical ability is in doubt. If they
won't then it's time to look for a new program.

Kerry

 

[Robert Moir]

Kerry,
I had already tried uninstalling BlackICE which resolved the problem.
The reason I came to this newsgroup was an attempt to discover the
reason and possible answer to my problem, so far I have not received
much constructive assistance.

*sigh*
Several of us have told you where the fault is. Several people have posted
information on how DEP works. I personally gave you advice to turn away from
ACER's money-wasting suggestion to buy 64 bit XP to fix the problem.

How much more "constructive" were we supposed to be?

--
--
Rob Moir, MS MVP
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ - http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked "Have you
checked (event viewer / syslog)".

 

[Derek]

Derek wrote:



Derek

I read the other post. It appears you do not understand what DEP is or how
it works. Progams that cause DEP exceptions are doing something wrong.
Just because it used to be fairly common for some compilers to "optimize"
code in a way that now causes a DEP exception doesn't mean that DEP is
something bad or at fault. In a properly written program there is no need
to execute code from an area of memory reserved for data. To allow this is
a major security risk that goes way beyond just buffer overflows. The
links you provided actually say that DEP is a good thing but that older
programs may have problems with DEP enabled, exactly what happened to you.

Several people in this newsgroup tried to help you. The solution to your
problem was pinpointed by several people. Black Ice needs to be updated to
support DEP. If they can't then their technical ability is in doubt. If
they won't then it's time to look for a new program.

Kerry

Kerry
The reason I came to this forum was because I did not understand what was
affecting my new computer. I am not a computer technocrat but I had
discovered that the problem was connected with software written for 32bit
processors and the computer having a 64bit processor. BlackICE (BI) had
recommended that I disable DEP because MS Data Overflow protection was
conflicting with their own protection (I am still in discussion with their
Help Desk). Investigation threw up documents that this problem, or similar,
is known to MS & Intel.
In an earlier post you statedWhen you sell computers with 64bit processors, do you warn them of the
likely problems with some software?
Personally, when I purchased this computer I was not warned and
unexpectedly, ill-prepared, ran into the Blue Screen problem. I suppose I
could have run back to the vendor but as I have since discovered they were
not aware of these Blue Screen problems with some software .
Derek

How many 'run of the mill' users are aware of this 32/64bit problem?
..

 

[Robert Moir]

How many 'run of the mill' users are aware of this 32/64bit problem?
.

DEP isn't a "32/64 bit problem". The computer I'm working on right now is a
32 bit machine only, yet supports hardware DEP.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Kerry
The reason I came to this forum was because I did not understand what
was affecting my new computer. I am not a computer technocrat but I
had discovered that the problem was connected with software written
for 32bit processors and the computer having a 64bit processor. BlackICE
(BI) had recommended that I disable DEP because MS Data
Overflow protection was conflicting with their own protection (I am
still in discussion with their Help Desk). Investigation threw up
documents that this problem, or similar, is known to MS & Intel.
In an earlier post you stated
When you sell computers with 64bit processors, do you warn them of the
likely problems with some software?
Personally, when I purchased this computer I was not warned and
unexpectedly, ill-prepared, ran into the Blue Screen problem. I
suppose I could have run back to the vendor but as I have since
discovered they were not aware of these Blue Screen problems with
some software . Derek

How many 'run of the mill' users are aware of this 32/64bit problem?
.

It is not a 32/64 bit problem. There are 32 bit CPUs that support hardware
DEP. The problem is with BlackIce, not DEP, not the CPU, not Acer. If
BlackIce tells you otherwise they are technically incompetent.

And yes I have had customers who have experienced similar problems with DEP.
When the problem is explained to them they either upgrade their software or
switch to a different program that doesn't have the problem.

Kerry


Kerry

 

[Derek]

Hi Kerry,
I have now changed my firewall to ZoneAlarm Pro (15 day free trial) and
restored the DEP statement in the boot.ini to "optin".

I have used BlackICE (now an Internet Security Systems product) for five
years without problems and still have a full 1 year valid subscription. Is
it any wonder that I, Joe Bloggs, could believe that their advice to change
the DEP statement was not good, especially as the ACER Help Desk agreed with
this decision to change the DEP statement?

BI claim that the problem is a Hardware Conflict & not a Software Conflict,
see their comments below:

"The reason there is a conflict with 64 bit processors and BlackICE is due
to Data Execution Prevention (DEP). DEP is Microsoft's and hardware
manufactures answer to Buffer Overflow protection. BlackICE also protects
you against Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities. This is why there is a
conflict. Engineering is aware of the incompatibility and is working on a
solution. However, each day, new vulnerabilities are discovered. Our
security experts and our engineering department's first priority is to add
protection to protect computers from new vulnerabilities. So, something like
this takes a back seat to more serious matters."

&
"As stated previously, it is only 64 bit processors that support 32 bit
software that is the problem. On your older system, the processor was a
straight 32 bit processor that had a software DEP option but was it not
enabled since DEP software only comes into play if hardware DEP is included
in the processor. This is only the case on newer computers. In the DEP tab
on the older system, it may tell you that DEP is not enforced unless you
have a 64 bit. Unfortunately, sometimes this information is included and
sometimes it isn't. I know this is confusing. It's confusing for everyone.
Since I am not an engineer, I can't offer more technical information."

Derek

 

[Kerry Brown]

Hi Kerry,
I have now changed my firewall to ZoneAlarm Pro (15 day free trial)
and restored the DEP statement in the boot.ini to "optin".

I have used BlackICE (now an Internet Security Systems product) for
five years without problems and still have a full 1 year valid
subscription. Is it any wonder that I, Joe Bloggs, could believe
that their advice to change the DEP statement was not good,
especially as the ACER Help Desk agreed with this decision to change
the DEP statement?
BI claim that the problem is a Hardware Conflict & not a Software
Conflict, see their comments below:

"The reason there is a conflict with 64 bit processors and BlackICE
is due to Data Execution Prevention (DEP). DEP is Microsoft's and
hardware manufactures answer to Buffer Overflow protection. BlackICE
also protects you against Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities. This is
why there is a conflict. Engineering is aware of the incompatibility
and is working on a solution. However, each day, new vulnerabilities
are discovered. Our security experts and our engineering department's
first priority is to add protection to protect computers from new
vulnerabilities. So, something like this takes a back seat to more
serious matters."
&
"As stated previously, it is only 64 bit processors that support 32
bit software that is the problem. On your older system, the processor
was a straight 32 bit processor that had a software DEP option but
was it not enabled since DEP software only comes into play if
hardware DEP is included in the processor. This is only the case on
newer computers. In the DEP tab on the older system, it may tell you
that DEP is not enforced unless you have a 64 bit. Unfortunately,
sometimes this information is included and sometimes it isn't. I know
this is confusing. It's confusing for everyone. Since I am not an
engineer, I can't offer more technical information."

I can see why you are confused. You have received conflicting information.
Computer manufacturers contract out their technical support. It is next to
useless for all but the simplest of problems. The person you talked to at
Acer support in all likelihood knows very little about computers. They read
from prepared scripts. If a question doesn't fit their scripts they don't
know what to say.

Black Ice is another thing. If they don't know that there are 32 bit chips
that support hardware DEP then I would run away from their software. They
are giving you the runaround. I am sure they know what the problem really is
just not how to fix it.

Kerry