Foxtrot Crash on Startup (DEP issue)

When launching a product from the Foxtrot Suite it is closed immediately, sometimes followed by an error message. This can be a result of the “Data Execution Prevention (DEP)” settings blocking Foxtrot programs from running. This typically happens after a new installation when attempting to activate licenses, but can also be a result of a Windows update that has reset the DEP settings.
Some versions of Microsoft Windows are equipped with this feature known as DEP. DEP is a set of hardware and software technologies that perform additional checks on memory to help prevent malicious code from running. DEP prevents such malicious code from taking advantage of the exception-handling mechanism in Windows.

Some versions of Microsoft Windows come equipped with a feature known as Data Execution Prevention (DEP). DEP is a set of hardware and software technologies that perform additional checks on memory to help prevent malicious code from running on a system. DEP prevents malicious code from taking advantage of exception-handling mechanisms in Windows.

Foxtrot applications contain proprietary technology to interact with the presentation layer of target applications. In doing so, Foxtrot applications may be required to work with memory locations outside of their own running process. Therefore, to allow Foxtrot applications to run properly, you must add them to the system’s DEP exception list. The following files should be included:

• Foxtrot.exe - The executable file for the Foxtrot RPA application.
• FoxtrotLegacy.exe - The executable file for the Foxtrot Legacy application.
• Foxbot.exe - The executable file for the FoxBot application.
• FoxtrotAdministrator.exe - The executable file for the Foxtrot Administrator application.

Caution: Not adding these files to the DEP exception list may result in unexpected errors and Foxtrot applications may close suddenly and unexpected upon startup or while in use.

Note: This list of files is subject to change without notice.

Resolution

Set the DEP settings to allow Foxtrot executable programs to run.
You will need to either add all Foxtrot products to the exception list, or select the option to use DEP only for essential Windows programs and services.

1. To access the DEP settings first right click on My Computer
2. Click on Properties to access the “System Properties”

3. Click the Advanced Tab. If there is no Advanced Tab, click on the link labeled “Advanced system settings”
4. Click the “Settings” button under the “Performance Options” box
5. Click the “Data Execution Prevention” tab
6. Implement one of the two options below. Make sure to test that it works.

Option 1: Click the button “Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services” only

• Click on the “apply” button
• You may be prompted to restart your computer, click “OK”
• Click the “OK” button on Performance Options
• Click the “OK” button on System Properties
• After making the change, either logoff/login or reboot the workstation for the new settings to take effect

Option 2: Click the “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select:” button

• Click the “Add” button
• Browse to the Foxtrot installation folder that is local to your machine
• Select the Foxtrot executable programs you want to permit to run – we advise Foxtrot.exe, FoxtrotLegacy.exe, FoxtrotScriptExplorer.exe, FoxtrotAdministrator.exe, and FoxtrotSysInfo.exe
• Click the “Add” button for each executable you want to add
• Click the “Apply” button
• You may be prompted to restart your computer, click “OK”
• Click the “OK” button on Performance Options
• Click the “OK” button on System Properties
• After making the change, either logoff/logon or reboot the workstation for the new settings to take effect