GCA hanging when loading (DEP)

From GCAWiki

Data Execution Prevention is something that is meant to protect systems from certain types of malware attacks, but it also incorrectly renders many safe programs, such as GCA, inoperable without explaining what's happening.

If your copy of GCA is hanging during the loading process, it's possible that you have DEP enabled on your system. You will need to add GCA as an exception to DEP protection on your system. Here's how you do that:

For Windows 7 and similar OSes:

1. Right-click on your Computer icon on the desktop. (Or right-click Computer in the start menu.) Select Properties.
2. On the left side, click Advanced System Settings.
3. In the Performance frame, click the Settings... button.
4. Click the Data Execution Prevention tab.
5. If the "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only" option is selected, GCA should not be affected, and this is unlikely the cause for the issues you're seeing.
6. If the "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select" is selected, click the Add... button to browse to the folder containing GCA (usually "\program files (x86)\GURPS Character Assistant 4\"), and select 'gca4.exe'. Click Open, then OK back out of the various dialogs. You should now be done, and GCA should now work correctly.

Paths my be slightly different depending on your install.