Computer tip for COM Surrogate

If there lives any computer owner that does not experience a problem from time to time, then he is very fortunate.  A very common problem is the "COM Surrogate" problem.  Whenever you have been experiencing the computer error "COM surrogate has stopped working", it usually occurs whenever you  are browsing folders on your computer incorporating video or media data files. The "COM Surrogate" problem is induced because of codecs and additional COM components set up through individual computer softwares that aren’t fully Vista-compatible.


On that point there are a quantity of potential resolutions to this COM problem, and the correct resolution depends greatly upon what computer software package is the actual culprit causing the COM problem.  This particular fix may possibly resolve the trouble in a very leisurely manner. Fundamentally, switching off Data Execution Prevention on dllhost (the COM surrogate) could repair this trouble for a lot of people. This answer follows in more detail below.

1.   First go to the START button on your computer and click

2.   Next, right click on Computer

3.   Then, choose Properties

4.   Click on Advanced System Settings

5    Then under Advanced, click Settings

6.   Select the “Data Execution Protection” tab 

7.   Then click “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.

8.   Click on the Add button

9.   Next, browse to C:WindowsSystem32dllhost

10.  Click Open, and then OK.


Now you should be able to browse video folders on your computer without problems!


A few of the most familiar trouble inducing computer software packages are DivX and Nero. There are others, naturally, that can[ potentially cause the COM problem also.

When utilizing DivX, be upgraded to the up-to-date version (6.5+)  If  using Nero, you may attempt upgrading to the most recent edition (7.7.5.1+)  If after upgrading both Nero and Divx and  the problem still exists, you may try renaming the file C:Program FilesCommon FilesAheadDSFilterNeVideo.ax to NeVideo.ax.bak.  You may also need to rename NeVideoHD.ax to NeVideoHD.bak


Disabling Thumbnail previews should fix the problem but  it isn’t the best answer.

Older ffdshow codec packs have also been the cause of some problems.  Try using the following:  http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/.   You may uninstall Nero entirely from your computer , capitalizing on a utility they provide to for complete uninstalls.  It helps in cases where there's a malfunctioning installation of an older version.  Installing the Vista Codec Package in an attempt to update your computer codecs may also work. 

Whichever method you utilize, be cautious when installing unfamiliar elements on any computer and create a restore point before attempting to cure your "COM Surrogate has stopped working" problem.