Data Execution Prevention Error

[SDS]

Since installing SP2 onto a Sony laptop running XP Pro,
getting multiple (10 or so) occurrences of a Data
Exection Prevention error. The program being prevented
is 'Generic Host Process for Win32 Services'. Looking at
Sony's support site, it points to HP printer or scanner
software; I have an HP all-in-one printer/scanner. HP's
support folks deny this, and give me a workaround,
whereby I can choose to add Generic Host Process as an
exception for DEP. This seems like it's treating the
symptom, not the root cause. Any suggestions other than
HP's software?

Also am getting svchost.exe errors (see related post by
SDS); not sure if these two problems are related.

Thanks!

 

[Jon]

You can turn off DEP completely by changing the

/NoExecute=OptIn

to

/NoExecute=AlwaysOff

in the file boot.ini (probably in c:, Right-click > Properties to remove
read-only attribute)

Make sure it is exactly as above and make a copy of your current boot.ini if
uncertain.

Then reboot.

Jon

 

[SDS]

Thanks for the response, but isn't this again treating
the symptom? I'm trying to determine the root cause?

 

[Jon]

The svchost.exe is a program that launches / hosts other services, so it
failing means that one of the services on your computer is causing problems

Have a look in Event Viewer for fuller information relating to the errors eg
faulting modules (double click on an entry to see a fuller account which can
be pasted to clipboard etc). May discover some other crucial evidence.
[start > run > eventvwr.msc]

You can determine which services are associated with a particular instance
of svchost.exe, by getting hold of a program like
Process Explorer
or tasklist.exe
This can help narrow down the problematic service(s) still further
[Google for those]

Turning off DEP is a good idea, as suggested previously, while
troubleshooting.

To troubleshoot further you can selectively disable services eg via start >
run > msconfig > Services
(or Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services) to see if disabling a
particular service resolves the problem
[use Google to determine what a particular service does]


Jon

 

[Alex Nichol]

Thanks for the response, but isn't this again treating
the symptom? I'm trying to determine the root cause?

Looks as if that lies in a service being run for the HP hardware. I
would check with HP on an upgrade of that. I know they have some
specific advice on SP2 in relation to their complete machines; whether
there is on boxes like yours I don't know