I just wiped my hard drive and I was installing Yahoo! Messenger when I was greeted by something not unusual but unexpected.



Above is the message Windows XP SP2 gave me when I tried to install Yahoo! Messenger using Yahoo’s own web installer. Since I have enabled DEP (data execution prevention) on Windows, I have seen a few of these pop up form time to time. What is unexpected is that a major software vender like Yahoo! allows this to happen. I thought for sure that with a user base as large as theirs, they would solve it very quickly, guess not. In the end I had to disable DEP, restart the computer, install Messenger, re-enable DEP, and then restart one more time. Nothing too big, just a gripe.

For those of you who do not know what DEP is, I have included several links below. DEP is a feature added into Windows XP SP2. It basically stops buffer overflows which has been the number one vector for computer exploits for the past 15 years. According to some (see Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte in Security Now!, episode 78 http://www.twit.tv/sn78) DEP is almost as important as having a firewall enabled on your machine. The downside is that unlike the SP2 firewall, DEP is not enabled by default. DEP may cause hassle on some older programs but it has actually demonstrated itself as a helpful security product on my PC (I will tell you about my adventures with PWDump2 one day).

Standard Microsoft Article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875351

TechNet Article:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServe...3.mspx?mfr=true

 

 

 

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hmmm.. interesting I never had that come when I bought my new computer last year, but most likely it due to the fact I didn't have it enabled. But if you just reinstalled your OS why would that now pop up since it is never enabled in the first place?

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Considering how few people know about, or use, DEP (I didn't until you posted this) I would not be surprised if Yahoo! is unaware of that issue. Did you notify Yahoo!? Or just disable DEP temporarily? Because I have a feeling most advanced users who use DEP just get annoyed and complain, but don't notify Yahoo!. Then I would not be surprised if even if they know about it, it is not worth their time to fix it right now, since they can fix it for the next release or so, and the people complaining will most likely be able to find a workaround.

~Viz

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I am a developer so I am thankful when someone points out a flaw in one of my programs. Many times a user will simply quit using your program because of the flaw and the developer is none the wiser. I figured I would be nice and tell Yahoo! about the problem with DEP. I was very descriptive about the problem. I explained that DEP was triggering the failure and that I suspected the problem was with allocating the memory pages as data and not setting the executable bit. I then explained how I solved the problem and I was just letting them know that there was a problem. Below is the response that I received.



Not exectally what I was hoping for but at least I tried.

 

 

 

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I didn't know that. Now I can finally format my system without the fear of my long time friends being wiped out.

It seems like they use pre-defined messages for similar issues. I wonder what good are the so-called tech support personnel. Powerful atomated scripts would do better job than this. That whole feedback reminds me of our mobile service provider's customer care representatives who say "We are undergoing server updation. Please try again later." for every issue you bring in to their notice.

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If you really want to get through, I would try calling them. I've had reason to call Yahoo! a couple times before, and they have the best phone tech support of anyone I've ever dealt with (Sony VAIO department is a close second, though). But they are very good at getting you connected to the right person and to listening to what you say.

Also, all major chat protocols (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, etc.) store the friends list on their server. Otherwise, it would be impossible to practically notify you when your friends come online, or to let you use the messenger program on more than one computer.

~Viz

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That might be the case. Being the most popular website on the planet, they have to have excellent phone tech support. However, I believe that E-Mail is the best way to express myself and let my thoughts be known; especially when there is no toll free tech support line.



My apologies for not being sarcastic enough! What I meant was, anyone with fair bit of intelligence would have figured that one out and that information was really not necessary.

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They do have a toll free number, it's just difficult to find (I usually go through the small business page since I have a small business account). Here is their Customer Care number, along with what they state about it:



I have a feeling that this is the right place to call, since Messenger is one of their services. But even if it isn't the right place, in my experience, they will connect you to the right place. Just don't assume that they are a stupid tech support person from the start. Treat them courteously, and they will return the favor. (Yay tech support in the US, instead of outsourced!)

~Viz

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right!

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I thought the whole point of the web was to never actually “talk” to another person again. That said I may try the phone next time I have a problem. I have free long distance now so I can wait on hold as long as I like.

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