A8N-SLI, bundled software, and firewall question...

[TheNiceGuy]

I just finished building my first new system (whew! - wipes sweat from brow). I'm really quite happy with everything:

-ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe nForce4
-Athlon 64 3000+ Socket939 BOX
-LEADTEK WinFast PX6600GT TDH (PCIExp 128MB)
-[2] SEAGATE Barracuda 120GB (7200.7 8M SATAII NCQ)
-NEC ND-3520A BLK
-[2] 512MB Samsung (M368L6423FTN-CCC)
-Seasonic Super Storm 400W (dual 12V rails, 24 pin (SS-400-HS))
-Owltech case (OWL-611-SILENT)
-Thermaltake XaserIII keyboard/mouse
-NEC 22" CRT (MultiSync FE220)
-Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

Powered up today, works great, sorted a couple of issues. However, a couple of things I am trying to work out.
- every startup I get a RUNDLL error "Error loading wf2kcpl.dll, Invalid access to memory location". Is this something to do with my video card?
- I plan to use my new editions of Zone Alarm firewall, Kaspersky AV, AdAware, AnyDVD, and Alcohol 120. Will these programs conflict with any of the bundled software/drivers? Also, the mobo and video card came with a wack of bundled software, everything from Norton to Coloreal. What bundled software is redundant and just taking up space?
-Simular to above, I tried to install ZA and my system locked up (took me the last 5 hours to get it all working gain). Now, I will just disable the bundled NVidia firewall, ActiveArmor, and XP firewall, and install ZA. Am I losing something without the "ActiveArmor" (don't really know much about it)?


I haven't been able to get online to check updates yet. Anything else I should know?

THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!


P.S.- The case and all fans are really quiet - except the small one on the mobo. Its running at 8800 rpm , all the time, and sounds like a really big hornet sometimes. I think something is rubbing in there sometimes.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

ActiveArmor is nVidia's hardware firewall. It's best to disable it in BIOS so that it doesn't conflict with your software firewall.

Everything else should be okay, but personally I try to have as few things running in the background as possible - no active virus/spyware scanners. I just do one scan every week or so.

As for the bundled software, just skip it unless it's something you really want.

 

[Tanclearas]

Why use a software firewall rather than the nVidia hardware firewall?

The error seems to be from Leadtek's control panel. I have that same card, but didn't bother loading any of the Leadtek software. I just use the nVidia drivers.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Thank you!
I'm still confused re the other stuff. There are drivers AND programs on teh CDs - don't know which are good or not. I just don't want to lose any features by not using the bundled drivers.
I'll try uninsalling all the Leadtek video drivers.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Thanks TanC- I uninstalled a bunch of the Leadtek stuff and it seems to be working ok now. Is that a good general rule - don't install any drivers and hope Windows picks it up?

The Firewall - I want to use ZA because it allows selective blocking (especialy good for bittorent) and has served me well before. I am using the newer version for the first time though, so I suppose it could be buggy. Can the hardware Firewall do all that ZA can do? I understand its less of a resouirce drain?

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Deth and Tan- Thanks! I will try out the hardware firewall. I reformated everything, and just installed the basics. Got rid of the Realtek error! The video card is getting low power warnings though. I am running with no AV or ASpyware programs still. Anyway to install without a crash? I will run them like you Deth.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

bump-a-roo

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Everything seems ok now, thanks!

Just the low power warning for the video card, and crashes when I install Kaspersky. Any ideas? Anyone else had issues installing programs on this mobo?

 

[Tweakin]

I think the point he was making was not to load any of the additional bloatware that comes with the new products. Since it is a Nvidia based card, just use the latest Nvidia drivers and all will be good. This is a good rule for all new equipment, just load verified drivers and check for issues and stability.

Then you can decide if you want to add all the additional bloatware and frilly stuff.

 

[Thorsson]

Originally posted by: TheNiceGuy
Everything seems ok now, thanks!

Just the low power warning for the video card, and crashes when I install Kaspersky. Any ideas? Anyone else had issues installing programs on this mobo?

I had problems installing the supplied 3 months Norton suite. But my own NAV only installed with no problem. Also the Hardware Firewall caused all sorts of problems. Unlike my previous software ones, this just seems to decide what to allow and doesn't ask - so windows update and NAV Liveupdate didn't work till I turned it off (it's on by default).

As far as your video card is concerned, you are not getting enough power to the card. Does the 6600 have a six pin power connector like the 6800? If not then is your PSU plug a 24 pin one? Have you plugged the extra 4-pin connector to the motherboard? How many Amps does your PSU supply on the 12V rail?

 

[bob661]

His sig says he's got a dual 12V rail. Many people are having problems with the dual 12V rail power supplies. Take a look around on the first page of this forum. There should be a power supply thread or two.

 

[Beaks]

I found whilst doing nothing in particular i was accessing the internet all the time, looking at services i found loads i didn't load myself, things like server and workstation.

It appears the hardware firewall programs loads all these, and as a result significantly slowed my machine down, removing the hardware firewall speeded things to what i would expect them to be.

Macaffee, whilst software based doesn't slow my machine down but still gives better control over program access than Nvidia's did (in my opinion anyways), so i won't bother reinstalling the nvidia firewall.

BTW 'The NIce Guy'

- every startup I get a RUNDLL error "Error loading wf2kcpl.dll, Invalid access to memory location". Is this something to do with my video card?


I get this as well, not a good start fresh from the cd installation.

 

[babyjocko]

Originally posted by: Tanclearas
Why use a software firewall rather than the nVidia hardware firewall?

Why do you think NV Firewall is worth using? It's just another software firewall. The "hardware" firewall is ActiveArmor and it ain't all that, either. All it has over a software firewall is SPI, which many routers have. Do you have a router? Check to see if it has SPI. If so, you don't need NV Firewall or ActiveArmor. If not, you still don't need this junk. Have you ever been hacked? Hackers ain't gonna be concerned about you when there are bigger and more valuable challenges in the world. If anything, you need a good anti-virus and anti-spyware to keep the trojans away.