Questionaire: 680i chipset, VISTA 64 and preferred AV program

[BonzaiDuck]

My VISTA 64 installation is proceeding, but I keep hitting snags.

So far, I've loaded the OS successfully, loaded the chipset drivers, and I've attempted to install Kaspersky Internet Security v. 7 . .125. KIS specs at their website show VISTA 64 as a compatible OS. But once KIS has been installed and asks for computer reboot, the system resets and makes it to the Windows splash screen w progress bar, flips into a BSOD which then causes a reboot so fast that you couldn't read the blue screen's first word.

IF YOU HAVE 680i nVidia chipset system and Windows VISTA 64, what is your best recommendation for firewall/AV suite?

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
My VISTA 64 installation is proceeding, but I keep hitting snags.

So far, I've loaded the OS successfully, loaded the chipset drivers, and I've attempted to install Kaspersky Internet Security v. 7 . .125. KIS specs at their website show VISTA 64 as a compatible OS. But once KIS has been installed and asks for computer reboot, the system resets and makes it to the Windows splash screen w progress bar, flips into a BSOD which then causes a reboot so fast that you couldn't read the blue screen's first word.

IF YOU HAVE 680i nVidia chipset system and Windows VISTA 64, what is your best recommendation for firewall/AV suite?

I use Eset Smart Security x64 which has compatible firewall, av, anti-spam and anti-spy.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Thanks for the advice. As robust as I've found KIS to be with XP Pro and MCE, I had worried that it was the source of my BSOD problem.

I should probably post these questions in a new thread, but since you apparently have the same chipset and OS, you may have some insights.

I've had worse problems installing new OS versions, patiently and tediously correcting problems.

First, I encountered the 4GB RAM -- won't install VISTA 64 without BSOD. I swapped in a 2GB kit in the meantime, and got as far as the desktop.

I noted that the OS recognizes the RAID0 array I created while setting up the BIOS, and couldn't be sure that I needed the drivers for it to continue the install. I also briefly confused the BSOD cause with my first and only attempt to install the drivers at OS installation, then discovering the 4GB-RAM problem.

After first successfully installing the OS, I let VISTA 64 go out and download a total of 67 update patches, of which 66 "seemed" to install successfully, and not seeing SP1 on the list, I assumed that this was the installation that failed. But rebooting left me again with a BSOD, and so I reinstalled the OS and disabled automatic update installation until I can get this sorted out.

Later, I installed the chipset drivers and the nVidia GeForce drivers, and set up SLI successfully. I installed the audio. Even so, after the first reboot from the chipset driver install, I noticed an nVidia RAID or RAID-management program that was "blocked," and I unblocked it. Then reboot resulted in BSOD, and I went back to the VISTA install disc to select "Repair." The list of installed programs still shows the nVidia drivers as successfully installed.

It SEEMS the the chipset drivers are properly installed, but there is some ACPI driver appearing on the Device Manager tree as "unknown device." I recalled that one of the 66 updates included an ACPI-related patch.

ALL OF THIS POINTS TO THE NEED TO UPDATE VISTA 64 to SP1.

MY BIGGEST QUESTION: IF I DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL SP1 FOR VISTA-64, DOES IT CIRCUMVENT THE NEED TO INSTALL ALL THE UPDATE PATCHES THAT PRECEDED IT? CAN I DO THAT? IT ALWAYS SEEMED CLEAR THAT EARLIER OSes PUT CUMULATIVE UPDATES AND SECURITY PATCHES IN THE LATEST SERVICE PACK.

 

[bsobel]

You dont need to install the earlier updates once you install the SP that also includes them.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Thanks. Ordinarily, I would not have sought advice about this, because it seems obvious as to your own observation, BSOBEL.

After the two or three decades of my experience with various OS installations, I know that a new one can be a headache. Nobody will blame me for seeking short-cuts here on the forums, I gua-ran-TEE!

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
Thanks. Ordinarily, I would not have sought advice about this, because it seems obvious as to your own observation, BSOBEL.

After the two or three decades of my experience with various OS installations, I know that a new one can be a headache. Nobody will blame me for seeking short-cuts here on the forums, I gua-ran-TEE!

Id suggest installing the latest service pack build you can and then run windows update until your fully up to date 🙂

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
Thanks. Ordinarily, I would not have sought advice about this, because it seems obvious as to your own observation, BSOBEL.

After the two or three decades of my experience with various OS installations, I know that a new one can be a headache. Nobody will blame me for seeking short-cuts here on the forums, I gua-ran-TEE!

Id suggest installing the latest service pack build you can and then run windows update until your fully up to date 🙂

Hope you can find time to respond to this. Here's my progress so far.

1) I downloaded the "full" [administrator] version of VISTA SP1. When I tried to install it, a message box popped up to say that the SP couldn't be installed, and I needed to use the 64-bit installer. I'm not sure whether this meant the "MSInstaller" -- or what. And I thought I scoured the Microsoft download site: there is only one SP1 download -- not a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version -- but just a single download.

2) Since the vid drivers, SLI, chipset drivers and audio drivers had been installed, I decided to try again with Windows Update. The Knowledge-base article on SP-1 recommends that approach, "if you are only installing to a single computer." [Fact is, I always choose to get the full version of service packs, but we passed that in (1) above.]

Windows Update raised the same 67 patches and updates that it had shown me before. [I should have cancelled the graphics driver install, since I'd got the latest GeForce driver from the nVidia website, anyway.]

3) This time, the Windows Update program reported that all 67 updates had been completely installed, but the installation wasn't complete until after reboot.

4) The reboot took me back to the same ol' BSOD situation, and I went back to the VISTA-64 install DVD again, choosing "Repair."

5) Repair was successful. I reviewed the update history. The Repair sequence had apparently reversed several of the installations, but the update history showed that 9 updates had been successfully installed, with the remaining 58 showing "installation failed."

So the question is this: What do I do now? Continue trying to install the remaining 58 updates? Or is there an installer I need to download from Microsoft so I can install the entire Service Pack 1?

In 20+ years dealing with this technology and something like 12 OS upgrades (DOS and Windows -- 3.0, 3.1, Win95, Win98, NT 4.0, Win 2000 Pro, Win 2000 Advanced Server, XP Pro and XP MCE 2005 -- this isn't the "worst" I've been through. Or it's not the worst I've been through when you count troubleshooting hardware and drivers, spending an entire weekend until everything works properly.

But I sure could use some short-cuts or advantage from someone who's successfully installed VISTA-64 and the SP-1. And I need to get the SP installed so I can swap my 4GB memory kit back into the machine.

 

[Vistaline]

1) I downloaded the "full" [administrator] version of VISTA SP1. When I tried to install it, a message box popped up to say that the SP couldn't be installed, and I needed to use the 64-bit installer. I'm not sure whether this meant the "MSInstaller" -- or what. And I thought I scoured the Microsoft download site: there is only one SP1 download -- not a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version -- but just a single download.

Oh, but there are two. 🙂 A 64-bit version should be here.

And I need to get the SP installed so I can swap my 4GB memory kit back into the machine.

A KB Article can be found here that resolves that issue. Not that you'll need it with SP1 install, should come included. Just in case...

IF YOU HAVE 680i nVidia chipset system and Windows VISTA 64, what is your best recommendation for firewall/AV suite?

I use Avira and the built-in Vista Firewall, you might be a little bigger on security though. I am on Intel but I haven't heard anything about the two not getting along.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Originally posted by: Vistaline

1) I downloaded the "full" [administrator] version of VISTA SP1. When I tried to install it, a message box popped up to say that the SP couldn't be installed, and I needed to use the 64-bit installer. I'm not sure whether this meant the "MSInstaller" -- or what. And I thought I scoured the Microsoft download site: there is only one SP1 download -- not a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version -- but just a single download.

Oh, but there are two. 🙂 A 64-bit version should be here.

And I need to get the SP installed so I can swap my 4GB memory kit back into the machine.

A KB Article can be found here that resolves that issue. Not that you'll need it with SP1 install, should come included. Just in case...

IF YOU HAVE 680i nVidia chipset system and Windows VISTA 64, what is your best recommendation for firewall/AV suite?

I use Avira and the built-in Vista Firewall, you might be a little bigger on security though. I am on Intel but I haven't heard anything about the two not getting along.

Thanks. I think I've grown rusty and sloppy in my old-age. I'm downloading the X64 version as I speak. As much as someone else suggests updating first through Windows Update to avoid "bugs," I think I'll take my chances with the whole Service Pack.

Making a "vLite" slipstreamed SP1 install disc may have been an option, but I could only do it through the initial VISTA install anyway, unless I wanted to use something like VMWare(?) on my XP machine.

For the 4GB problem, I chose to follow the workaround.

I'll report back here my troubles or successes. Lord knows -- I can use the advice.

EDIT: I'd been a true convert of Kaspersky's security software. Now, after the cyber-attacks on the Georgian republic and all this trouble over South Ossetia, I suppose I could worry. But I've always been impressed by its reviews and its robustness, and probably would only switch if it becomes "impossible" with VISTA 64. In that regard, I'll make a list of these other choices by fellow forum posters here . . .

. . . . [another] EDIT: "Yeeeeee-Haaaaah!! Yeeeee-Haaaaaah!!"

So . . . I believe this is it.

1) Install the [older] release if VISTA-64 if you don't have the SP1-release.
2) Install your chipset drivers, audio drivers and graphics drivers.
3) VERY IMPORTANT: with a 680i mobo, be SURE to find the ACPI virtual device drivers at the mobo manufacturer's web-site. My board maker (ASUS) had included the driver under a "Utilities" tab, and I missed it! the Device Manager tree showed an "unknown device." Cleared that up, I did . . . . !!
4) Install the 64-bit version of the Service Pack 1 -- and THEN . . . . worry about other "automatic updates."

Thank you, Paine-Webber . . . Thank you, Vistaline . . . . Thank you, Microsoft!!

[AND YET ANOTHER] EDIT: "Yee-Haaaah!" again. Recently activated KIS 7 installations get a free upgrade to "VISTA-compatible" KIS 2009. Talk about "robust." Schweeeeet!!