Internet Problem

[ibarskiy]

Just set up an X2 4200+ on DFI LanParty nV4 SLI-DR (dual ethernet - nVidia & Marvell)
Clean WinXP Pro SP2 install (non-raid partition)
Install nVidia drivers just released (7/15)
Install all other device drivers (Leadtek 7800GTX, Audigy 4, Logitech Keyboard/Mouse)

At this point, everything works good with network cable plugged in the nVidia port.

Then, run WinUpdate, install Microsoft Office 2003, Adobe Photoshop, Webroot Spysweeper and MS AntiSpyware Beta.

Here, I get major errors downloading large files. E.g. download an nVidia demo - executable file - it downloads fine, but when you go to install it says that the files extracted from .cab do not match those installed - bad source media. Another example, download a .zip file - you can open it, but can not extract it.

Edit: by the way, I should mention that the DL problem goes away if I switch from nVidia to Marvell. So it must be driver, or something. But what screws it up?!

Further, IE all of a sudden is super buggy - would randomly close (completely without a warning) or give a critical error which lead to closing. This goes away if I disable SpySweeper. The other problem stays, though.

Anybody?! Please help.

 

[sykopath79]

Given that the problem goes away when you use your Marvell ethernet port, I suspect one of two things: buggy driver for the NVIDIA network adapter, or a physically faulty controller for that network adapter (which would mean RMA the motherboard).

If IE is randomly closing and the problem goes away when you disable SpySweeper, that's a problem easily solved. For one, I would just get rid of SpySweeper (I don't much care for it anyway, there are plenty of free programs that do the same thing, and do it better). For two, use Firefox.

 

[ibarskiy]

Tx for the quick response.

Lol re: firefox. Would that I could. It still can't do all of the IE tricks and I need most of them for work (50/50 work/pleasure on the system)

I would ditto SpySweeper, only it helped me out a couple of times in the past, so I'm keeping it for that sake. Anyway, I just found out that MSAS and SpySweeper don't like each other, so it's one or the other.

Re: NIC, it's gotta be the driver. I did a clean install and tested the DL right after drivers but before everything else - it works. I mean, not once or twice - multiple times.

I think the driver must be conflicting with one of the updates, I can't imagine it's software...I thought maybe somebody would know if that's true.

 

[sykopath79]

Try installing the previous release of the NVIDIA ForceWare driver and see if that remedies the problem. Could be perhaps an issue that arose with the latest driver version.

I highly doubt downloading a Windows Update could be causing or precipitating the issue; what you're getting is corruption of data as it's being downloaded, which is a bit lower-level issue I suspect (especially given the observation that switching to the Marvell solves the problem).

 

[ibarskiy]

I will try it when I get home; however I doubt it is the driver version. Again, since it was working initially.

I do not know nearly enough to be able to tell what it could be. In the end, the DL thread is still IE, which does get patched through Win Update (in fact, most of the patches address IE). Maybe some of the new code conflicts with the new driver?! I don't know. It's definitely a weird issue, and difficult to put a finger on without tedious [install this upgrade - see if it still works - repeat] cycle...:disgust:

Edit: it would also be interesting to try a DL manager. I guess that wouldn't work if they simply call some kind of IE function...I told you I don't know enough...

 

[sykopath79]

Originally posted by: ibarskiy
In the end, the DL thread is still IE, which does get patched through Win Update (in fact, most of the patches address IE).

But you said that the download corruption problem goes away when you use the Marvell network port, yes? Therefore, the problem is with the network port itself (or its driver), not IE or any applications. Application problems would persist regardless of which NIC you used.

 

[ibarskiy]

Oh definitely the port or the driver. I'm just thinking it could be some kind of a conflict that arises only with updated IE app...That's what I meant...Or even a lower level than IE, I suppose updates go deeper (is there a layer between driver and app?)

 

[sykopath79]

I highly, highly doubt that (in case you can't already tell ). But if you want confirmation: download and install Firefox, and see if the problems occur when using Firefox instead of IE.