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Microsoft's Data Execution Prevention is a powerful protection agains certain kinds of malware. Normally data and executables are in separate parts of memory. If a program is trying to execute from a data memory segment, it would usually indicate something wrong with the program or an invader that has sneakily disguised itself as data. So DEP is a good safeguard.

However it can be annoying and can be mistaken for malware when it shuts down a program. Here's how to turn it off in Windows XP.

Start->Help and Support. Search for DEP. Follow the directions:

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To turn Data Execution Prevention on or off for a program
If you turn off Data Execution Prevention (DEP) for a specific program, it might become vulnerable to attack. A successful attack could then spread to other programs on your computer, to your contacts, and damage your personal files. If you suspect that a program does not run correctly when DEP is turned on, check for a DEP-compatible version or update from the software publisher before you change any DEP settings.

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure.
To open System Properties, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
Click the Advanced tab and, under Performance, click Settings.
Click the Data Execution Prevention tab.
In the Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select list, do one of the following:
To turn off DEP for a program, select the check box next to the program name and click OK. (If the name of the program doesn't appear in the list, click Add, navigate to your Program Files folder, select the program's executable file which will have an .exe file extension, and click OK).
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To turn on DEP for a program, clear the check box next to the program name, and then click OK.