DEP (Data Execution Prevention) on Windows Server 2003 - Can't start iTunes

[IamAnoobieCheez]

I am not 100% positive, but I strongly suspect it is the DEP that's builtin to my Windows Server 2003 is preventing me from running some third party programs like iTunes. iTunes is one of the few programs I am unable to run. After the first installation, it works the first time, but next time you reboot your computer and try executing it, it won't start. It seems as if DEP is causing this. I tried going into the DEP setting in the Performance Options tab from the System Properties but it doesn't seem to make any difference. Help plzzzzz... plzz plzzz:banana: :slapass:

[BenchZowner]

Are you running Service Pack 1 at least ? ( Service Pack 2 is now available ).
Have you set the program ( iTunes ) in the DEP Exceptions list ?
Have you ( additionally ) set iTunes executable to run in Windows XP compatibility mode ?

[Clint]

I am not 100% positive, but I strongly suspect it is the DEP that's builtin to my Windows Server 2003 is preventing me from running some third party programs like iTunes. iTunes is one of the few programs I am unable to run. After the first installation, it works the first time, but next time you reboot your computer and try executing it, it won't start. It seems as if DEP is causing this. I tried going into the DEP setting in the Performance Options tab from the System Properties but it doesn't seem to make any difference. Help plzzzzz... plzz plzzz:banana: :slapass:

Open boot.ini and modify:


timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Enterprise" /fastdetect [B]/noexecute=alwaysoff

that will disable DEP completely..and solve a bunch of issues.;)

[IamAnoobieCheez]

Are you running Service Pack 1 at least ? ( Service Pack 2 is now available ).
yea, it's a Service Pack 1.

Have you set the program ( iTunes ) in the DEP Exceptions list ?
i did..... in the past, but didn't make any difference. It won't start...

Have you ( additionally ) set iTunes executable to run in Windows XP compatibility mode ?
That option..... i don't see it available. I only have "General", "Shortcut", and "Security" tab. No option to choose Compatibility modes.


Same thing with the DVDShrink and uTorrent program. I can't start them, however, if I keep the uTorrent remain in the zip folder, I can re-start anytime i want. I have no problems there, but if I take that executable file out of the zip folder, I cannot start......

[BenchZowner]

I can run iTunes & DVD Shrink and uTorrent ( :D ) with DEP Enabled for all applications ( like Windows 2003 default to ).
You just need to add the program's executables in the DEP Exception list ( and run the program's executables on "WinXP compatibility mode" if required ) [ right click on the .exe of the desired program, get yourself in the "Compatibility" tab, and select Windows XP from the drop-down menu ]

[IamAnoobieCheez]

I knew it wasn't gonna be easy. As I knew, it did not work, no matter what.

The thing is, I have tried this before a while back, things like adding the programs in the DEP Exception list from the system properties, and I do remember going to Windows XP Compatibility mode too.

I also tried Clint's suggestion. I was hoping this would work, guess what, no worky.



I think I am not meant to have this operating system without having this problem. I remember I didn't have any of these problems with Windows 2000Pro and XP.

I wonder if there is something else going on..... something is serious f'ed up that's keeping me from executing programs.. hmmm...

I feel rediculous going back to windows 2000/XP just to run these applications. This means I gotta get a new hard drive just so I can back up my damn files (I got lots). :( I am having same problem on two different machines, one laptop and one HTPC. The HTPC is also extremely clean, and not used for internet, strictly gaming and home theater i.e. High definition videos and Blu-Ray movies.

[IamAnoobieCheez]

Would not having any service pack make any differnence????

or having Service Pack 2 make any difference?????

I would like a very powerful 3rd party program literally make Win2003 server to run any program i want, any time, any day, as many times as I want. They got to have this....... this is ridiculous.:slapass: :slapass: :stick:

[BenchZowner]

Since I can run all these programs fine on my Windows 2003 Server installation, I don't know what to say...

[IamAnoobieCheez]

Or i could try do C:\format.

bling bling..

Then try installing the win 2003 server and try the DEP exception method before installing any of those programs? i donno man... it's too much work. :( Thanks for the help though. I appreciate it...

[IamAnoobieCheez]

:slobber:

:mad:

:stick:

:p:


I took my laptop to work to dump the data so I can do C:\format on my laptop.

OooooOOoooooo I'm sooooo excited.:)


Should I install 32bit of Win server 2003 or 64bit version of win server 2003?

[BenchZowner]

Better go with the 32BIT version ( to avoid software incompatibilities ;) )

[أشرف]

I don't think it is DEP, it is probably bad iTune that you have downloaded.

[Clint]

I don't think it is DEP, it is probably bad iTune that you have downloaded.

quite possible so..

I would disable DEP completely anyway...it is a source of problems...and pulls a big chunk of resources.

[IamAnoobieCheez]

I don't think it is DEP, it is probably bad iTune that you have downloaded.
it may..... or may nut be.

I doubt it's the bad iTune download, because I have tried different versions of iTunes from different places and on two different machines. Also like i said I can't run other programs like uTorrent, DVDShrink, MagicDisk, bling bling ohh weee weee! :banana:



BenchZowner, the formatting is done and currently installing the win2003 server 32bit....

Clint, I will go ahead and do that after I get the windoz n drivers installed.

Will keep you guys updated........................

[Brettbeck]

The only real problem i've ever had with DEP was when I was in my computer trying to view pictures as thumbnails. To solve it all I did was swtich DEP off for windows explorer.

Start > Settings > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Data Execution Prevention .

From this panel you can turn it off for whichever programs it causes you problems with :). If you try if for iTunes and it doesn't make a difference at least you can rule it out. I've never had a problem with iTunes and DEP.

[IamAnoobieCheez]

Ok, guys, here is the update so far.....



Installed win2003 server.

Turned off the DEP *completely*, like what Clint has instructed, and reboot.

Then installed drivers....

Then installed windows updates...


I then installed the iTunes. Started it and run it.

Turned off the laptop. Turned it back on. Started the iTunes, and it runs.

Restarted the windows. Turned on iTunes again. It starts and runs.


10 minutes later I came back and turned off the computer again. Start windows and start *iTunes*. It starts and runs.



Ok, so far, so good. But I don't buy it. I won't trust it till this is resolved 1000%. I will be monitoring this for 1 month, that's...... 30 days, guys.

i will be back in 30 days and report the findings. If this thing is REALLY fixed after 1 month, I would *kind of* safely say what I did fixed the problem, but until then, I don't believe anything.... notta HA HA!:banana: :stick: :p: :p:

[أشرف]

OK, I tried to turn off DEP on Vista from Start > Settings > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Data Execution Prevention. But there is no option for turning it off. So there is a command for turning it off on Vista by the following command:

bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff

To turn it back on:

bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOn

[IamAnoobieCheez]

that's a nice info for Vista. thanx Ashraful.

[Brettbeck]

Yeah useful find Ashraful. I haven't tried Vista yet so...

[IamAnoobieCheez]

I am back. So far so good.



:banana:


I am still able to start and run iTunes whenever I want whenever I feel like. That is very very important thing......


I will be back at approx. 04-22-2007, 09:38 PM to report back. That is precisely one month from the date and time I posted the thread....:banana:

[Mats]

I installed ZoneAlarm on 2003 and after the required reboot I got a BSOD for a 1/4 second and then it rebooted. I had to enter safe mode and remove the ZA autostart.

Could DEP have been the reason for this?:confused:

Thanks.

[BenchZowner]

Maybe, but can't tell for sure.
You can try adding ZoneAlarm's executables in the DEP Exclusion list and see what happens :)
Won't hurt or create any more problems ;)

[IamAnoobieCheez]

I will be back at approx. 04-22-2007, 09:38 PM to report back. That is precisely one month from the date and time I posted the thread....:banana:
I changed my mind, and decided to speak meow meow now.



I have no problems with the iTunes. I can start any time whenever the hell I want. It is completely consistent. So the problem was DEP related. The only fix was to do the C:\format. First thing to do is to disable the DEP completely, turning the damn thing off, before doing anything else.

Clint, thank you very much for your help.




Problem number 2 remains though. The program uTorrent cannot be executed. That has never worked for me from day 1 to day 2667, with Win 2k server 2003. Win98 and win2k pro was never a problem. I can run any damn thing I want at any damn time....... oink oink.


HA HA HA HAHAHA HA HAHAHA AH AH AHAHAHAHA

[BenchZowner]

I'm with Azureus v3.0 :D
That should solve your uTorrent problems :P

[IamAnoobieCheez]

Thanx.... Benchy. Right now I'm still d/l'ing one of the files in uTorrent. once that gets done I'll switch over to Azureus v3.0. I haven't tried Azureus before so hopefully this will fix it.. :D much much thankx I will let you know as soon as I get the result..

[IamAnoobieCheez]

I'm with Azureus v3.0 :D
That should solve your uTorrent problems :P
Benchy,

It's working!!!

It actually executes!!! I can't believe it's really happening.:banana: [no sarcasm, dead serious]

The reason why I express like that is because almost at all times I didn't have luck getting the uTorrent program to run... .... but now with the Azureus it's working like it suppose to. I like programs that do what they suppose to.... know what i mean?


So quickly review, Problem 1 and 2 have been fixed. Thank you guys and this forum rocks, as always. This is the most helpful forum than any others I have dealt with. Just about any damn problems I had they all get fixed when I call for help here... Xtremesystem is a quality forum.... highly professional. :toast:

[mezcal]

Open boot.ini and modify:


timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Enterprise" /fastdetect [B]/noexecute=alwaysoff

that will disable DEP completely..and solve a bunch of issues.;)

Hmmm, that's interesting info. Itunes and utorrent work fine for me but I have certainly noticed issues with some installers/drivers/programs.
ATI CCC seems to have issues on 2003. Took me 2 or 3 times to get it to work at all-installed as administrator iirc and finally got it going. Still, sometimes the poller doesn't start correctly and the overdrive tab will then not be there. Fills up it's section in event viewer pretty rapidly too.
Also some issues with Ralink driver package and others I don't recall right this second.
Here's my boot.ini line-little different than your suggestion but I assume optout means dep is off (that's a question for any of you xs/2003 gurus :) )
This is 32 bit, sp2 just running as a workstation-no server features in use.

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Standard" /fastdetect /usepmtimer /NoExecute=OptOut

[BenchZowner]

@meczal: have you installed the latest DirectX redist, moved the Hardware Acceleration slider to max ( rightmost position ) and enabled Direct3D Acc. & DirectDraw @ dxdiag ?

[mezcal]

@BenchZowner: Yes to all.
I set the hotkey poller service to start automatically (was on manual) and haven't had any more occurrences of the sometimes-there/sometimes-not overdrive tab.
I guess I'm just curious if DEP is what makes installing things so problematic on this os.
btw, this is not on the box in my sig. It's a matx k800m/754 venice/1 gig/9600xt in an antec nsk1300 I keep in the garage. It gets a different os (or 2-presently dual booting feisty fawn who's wireless configuration is making me it's biatch :)) every couple months.
Not at all a mission critical machine.

[Clint]

Hmmm, that's interesting info. Itunes and utorrent work fine for me but I have certainly noticed issues with some installers/drivers/programs.
ATI CCC seems to have issues on 2003. Took me 2 or 3 times to get it to work at all-installed as administrator iirc and finally got it going. Still, sometimes the poller doesn't start correctly and the overdrive tab will then not be there. Fills up it's section in event viewer pretty rapidly too.
Also some issues with Ralink driver package and others I don't recall right this second.
Here's my boot.ini line-little different than your suggestion but I assume optout means dep is off (that's a question for any of you xs/2003 gurus :) )
This is 32 bit, sp2 just running as a workstation-no server features in use.

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Standard" /fastdetect /usepmtimer /NoExecute=OptOut



NoExecute=OptOut does pretty much nothing for you. It says simply that you will allow all except those you specify in 'deny'. And that setting is default for a 2003 SP1 install.

[mezcal]

@Clint So you would still recommend that I change it to NoExecute=alwaysoff given that I'm just using this as a workstation? That helps eliminate some of the "weirdness" associated with running this on the desktop?

I haven't specified anything in deny (wouldn't have any idea how to do so.) Doesn't that mean it would allow everything (from your above description?)

This was sp0 install. Immediately updated to sp1, then updated to sp2 when it was released a few weeks ago. I hadn't looked at the boot.ini file until I saw your earlier post in this thread so I don't know if it has ever been changed. Well, I know it hasn't been changed by me but I don't know if the service pack installs modified it in any way.

[Clint]

@Clint So you would still recommend that I change it to NoExecute=alwaysoff given that I'm just using this as a workstation? That helps eliminate some of the "weirdness" associated with running this on the desktop?

I haven't specified anything in deny (wouldn't have any idea how to do so.) Doesn't that mean it would allow everything (from your above description?)

This was sp0 install. Immediately updated to sp1, then updated to sp2 when it was released a few weeks ago. I hadn't looked at the boot.ini file until I saw your earlier post in this thread so I don't know if it has ever been changed. Well, I know it hasn't been changed by me but I don't know if the service pack installs modified it in any way.
Well, as for SP2 I don't have much experience...but I would use the /noexecute=alwaysoff in any case.

[BenchZowner]

On Windows 2003 Server series, DEP is set to active for all executables, whereas on XP is active only for critical windows services.
You can set DEP to windows services only, and they'll act just like windows xp ;)

If you can't find the switch, I'll show you guys later on ( gotta go now )

[mezcal]

Here.
58210
I'll try changing this before going to alwaysoff.
Interesting info. Thanks guys :toast:

edit: sorry the pics so small. I misjudged the screenie size required.