Difference between revisions of "Game Help:Data Execution Prevention"

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(Moved note and reworded it for accuracy (DEP crashes are common in The Sims 3, especially on NVIDIA graphics cards). Researched here: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/223619.page)
(Categories, sortkey)
 
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DEP protects your computer by forbidding access to memory not reserved by the running application. If the processor notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it halts exectuion (terminates the application).
 
DEP protects your computer by forbidding access to memory not reserved by the running application. If the processor notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it halts exectuion (terminates the application).
 +
 +
====Potential Cause and Solution====
 +
It seems that usually DEP crashes on The Sims 3 are triggered by the computer's graphics driver attempting to access memory it doesn't have permission to.  You may be able to fix the problem while leaving DEP enabled by updating your graphic drivers.  Instructions for [[Game Help:Graphics Cards#Finding Out Which Graphics Card You Have|indentifying your graphics device]], [[Game Help:Graphics Cards#Downloading New Graphics Drivers|downloading updated drivers]], and [[Game Help:Graphics Cards#Installing The New Drivers|installing them]] are available.
  
  
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If you suspect that a program does not run correctly when DEP is enabled, check for a DEP-compatible version of the program or an update from the software publisher before changing any DEP settings.
 
If you suspect that a program does not run correctly when DEP is enabled, check for a DEP-compatible version of the program or an update from the software publisher before changing any DEP settings.
  
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===Note About Applications to Add===
 
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The Sims 3 Launcher runs executable with the highest version number so you only have to add the executable you are using to the DEP list.  For example, if you have The Sims 3, The Sims 3: World Adventures, and The Sims 3: Ambitions installed, you only have to add the executable belonging to Ambitions to the list (TS3EP02.exe).  It is not recommended to add more executables to the list than you have to in order to prevent crashes.  The full list of executables are below.
 
  
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===Windows XP, Server 2003===
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{{WizardOption
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# Open '''System Properties'''.
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|link=Game Help:Data Execution Prevention/TS3W
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#* Go to '''Start'''.
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|text=For base game version 1.21 and newer. If you have Generations or newer, use this one.
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#* Then '''Settings'''.
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}}
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#* Then '''Control Panel'''.
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#* Then open '''System'''.
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# Click on the '''Advanced''' tab.
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{{WizardOption
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# Click on the '''Settings''' button for '''Performance'''.
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|link=Game Help:Data Execution Prevention/Multiple
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# Click on the '''Data Execution Prevention''' tab.
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|text=For base game version 1.19 and older.
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# Check "'''Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select:'''"
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}}
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# Click on '''Add''' and browse your system to find the exe file you are using:
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#* '''TS3.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin
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#* '''TS3EP01.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 World Adventures\Game\Bin
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−
#* '''TS3SP01.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 High End Loft Stuff\Game\Bin
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#* '''TS3EP02.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Ambitions\Game\Bin
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#* '''TS3SP02.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff\Game\Bin
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# Click '''OK'''.
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# '''Restart your computer''' for the changes to take effect.
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===Windows Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008===
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For help finding which version is installed, see [[Game Help:TS3 Patching Find Gameversion]].
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# Open '''System Properties'''. [[Image:Dep00.jpg|thumb|100px]]
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#* Go to '''Start'''.
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#* Then '''Control Panel'''.
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#* Then open '''System'''.
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#* Click '''Advanced System Settings'''.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.<br clear=all />
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# Under '''Performance''', click '''Settings'''. [[Image:Dep01.jpg|thumb|100px]]<br clear=all />
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# Click the '''Data Execution Prevention''' tab, and then click '''Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select'''. [[Image:Dep02.jpg|thumb|100px]]<br clear=all />
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# Click on '''Add''' and browse your system to find the exe file you are using: [[Image:Dep04.jpg|thumb|100px]]
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#* '''TS3.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin
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#* '''TS3EP01.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 World Adventures\Game\Bin
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#* '''TS3SP01.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 High End Loft Stuff\Game\Bin
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#* '''TS3EP02.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Ambitions\Game\Bin
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#* '''TS3SP02.exe''' under C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff\Game\Bin<br clear="all" />
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# Click '''OK'''.
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# '''Restart your computer''' for the changes to take effect.<br clear="all" />
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====In case of trouble====
 
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# Open the '''Command Prompt''' with administrative rights.
 
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#* Open '''Start'''.
 
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#* Open '''Programs'''.
 
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#* Open '''Acessories'''.
 
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#* Right-click on '''Command Prompt''' and select '''Run as Administrator'''.
 
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# Type the following and hit enter: '''bcdedit /deletevalue nx'''
 
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# Close the command prompt and '''restart your computer'''.
 
  
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[[Category:Crash Causes]]
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[[Category:Sims 3 Game Help|Routing]]
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[[Category:Sims 3 Technical Game Help|Routing]]

Latest revision as of 15:54, 20 September 2012

Contents

[edit] Overview

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature in Microsoft Windows (an implementation of the NX bit technology) that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. Harmful programs may attempt to attack Windows by attempting to run (also known as execute) code from system memory locations reserved for Windows and other authorized programs. These types of attacks may inflict serious harm to your computer (operating system, programs, and data).

DEP protects your computer by forbidding access to memory not reserved by the running application. If the processor notices a program on your computer using memory incorrectly, it halts exectuion (terminates the application).

[edit] Potential Cause and Solution

It seems that usually DEP crashes on The Sims 3 are triggered by the computer's graphics driver attempting to access memory it doesn't have permission to. You may be able to fix the problem while leaving DEP enabled by updating your graphic drivers. Instructions for indentifying your graphics device, downloading updated drivers, and installing them are available.


[edit] Diagnosing DEP Crashes

The Sims 3 produces exception (xcpt*.txt and xcpt*.mdmp) files in the user's My Documents directory when it crashes. To determine if the crash was caused by DEP:

  1. Open an xcpt*.txt file with Notepad or your favorite text editor.
  2. Scroll down to the [Exception info] section.
  3. Behind address:, does it have <unknown module>? If yes, DEP caused the crash. If no, something else caused the crash.

[edit] Applications That Can Diagnose DEP Crashes


[edit] Change DEP Settings

Note: If you change this setting to monitor all programs, you will have to add each program that DEP closes down to the exception list.

If you suspect that a program does not run correctly when DEP is enabled, check for a DEP-compatible version of the program or an update from the software publisher before changing any DEP settings.


RightArrow.gif

For base game version 1.21 and newer. If you have Generations or newer, use this one.


RightArrow.gif

For base game version 1.19 and older.


For help finding which version is installed, see Game Help:TS3 Patching Find Gameversion.

Retrieved from "http://simswiki.info/index.php?title=Game_Help:Data_Execution_Prevention&oldid=60356"
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