This technical note describes how to configure Microsoft Windows DEP settings for MiMiC online activations.

Summary

The Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature in many Windows Operating Systems can interfere with MiMiC online activations and feature check ins.  The default configuration for this feature varies between Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.  In Windows Server 2003, DEP is set by default such that it prevents the system from contacting the Mynah License Server. It is possible for this problem to affect any version of Windows with the DEP feature.

Symptoms

This tech note applies to situations where the MiMiC computer is known to be connected to the Internet but still cannot perform online activations.  Specifically, when either the Validation Wizard or the License Manager program is used in online mode to check in or activate a feature, they return with the error: Unable to contact license server. 

Solution

The Data Execution Prevention (DEP) features of Windows prevents the License Manager and Validation Wizard from communicating with the server. Disabling DEP for these applications will allow them to contact the MiMiC Licensing Server.

Steps to Disable DEP

1. Right click on "My Computer" and select "Properties"

2. Click on the "Advanced" tab

3. Click on the Performance Settings button

   
   Figure 1 - System Properties - Performance Settings

4. Select the "Data Execution Prevention" Tab

   
   Figure 2 - DEP Settings

5. Figure 2 shows the default settings for DEP in Windows Server 2003.  Click on "Add..." to add an exception for License manager. Locate "License Manager.exe" in the MiMiC Installation directory (Default location: C:\Program Files\MYNAH Technologies\MiMiC\License Manager.exe). Figure 3 shows the browse dialog with the License Manager executable selected.  Click on "Open" to add the exception.

   
   Figure 3 - DEP Exception for License Manger

6. Add an exception for the Validation Wizard. Click on "Add.." and browse to "SiteConfigurator.exe" (not present in MiMiC v3.3.0 or above); in the MiMiC Installation directory (Default location: C:\Program Files\MYNAH Technologies\MiMiC\License Manager.exe). Figure 4 shows the browse dialog with the Validation Wizard executable selected. Click on "Open" to add the exception.

   
   Figure 4 - DEP Exception for Validation Wizard

7. The DEP settings dialog should now look like Figure 5.

   
   Figure 5 - Finished DEP Configuration

8. Click "OK" on the Performance Options and System Properties dialogs to save the settings.

9. Re-run the Validation Wizard to activate MiMiC, or re-run the License Manager to activate or check in MiMiC Features.

With the above changes to the DEP settings, both License Manager and Validation Wizard should be able to contact the MiMiC Licensing Server.