Issue

Alchemy Catalyst gives error: An unspecified file problem prevented  file 'xxx' from being saved.

or

General malfunction of the software.

 

Reason

A feature of Windows XP SP2 and higher is DEP: Data Execution Prevention. If turned on your Operating system, it will block Alchemy Catalyst's related processes from running.

These processes need to be unblocked in order to run Alchemy Catalyst on Windows.

 

Solution

To unblock these processes follow the steps below:

On Windows XP (service Pack 2 or higher)

  1. Start > Control Panel > System
  2. Select the Advanced Tab
  3. Performance > Settings button
  4. Data Execution Prevention tab

On Windows Vista and 7

  1. Start > Control Panel > System
  2. Advanced System settings
  3. Performance > Settings button
  4. Data Execution Prevention tab

If "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select:" then add the following programs to the exclude list:

C:\Program Files\Alchemy Software\Catalyst x.x\Alchemy.exe

C:\Program Files\Alchemy Software\Catalyst x.x\lmgrd.exe

C:\Program Files\Alchemy Software\Catalyst x.x\Catalyst.exe

C:\Program Files\Alchemy Software\Catalyst x.x\Activate.exe

C:\Program Files\Alchemy Software\Catalyst x.x\ActivationStatus.exe

Note that the above paths to the executables are based on the default product's installation path and should reflect the location of your installation of Alchemy Catalyst.

After doing this you will be able to run Alchemy Catalyst as required on Windows with DEP turned on.

 

Products or Versions Affected

  • Alchemy CATALYST 5.0  and greater