Just finished my first build - questions

[Doghouse Riley]

I put this box together last weekend, parts advice from here and a couple of other sources.

case - Antec Sonata III
mobo - Abit IP32 Pro
CPU - Intel Core Duo E6750
RAM - Corsair DDR2 800 2 x 1 GB
video - EVGA 8800GTS 320 MB
HDD - 2 x Seagate 750 GB SATA
CD/DVD - Lite-On 20x SATA

Everything worked on first power up, system running like a champ on XP Pro (plan to add Ubuntu dual boot soon), just two little glitches and a question.

First, there is an "unknown" device showing up in the system hardware screen. I have updated the drivers from both Abit and nVidia and it's still there. How do I figure out what this is?

Second, when using headphones plugged into the front panel jack there is a lot of "system noise" (whistling and chittering) in the background. Is there any fix for this other than a separate sound card? I would prefer not to have to buy one and take up a PCI slot if there is an alternative.

Third, I've read in several places about using thermal paste between the CPU and cooler. My Intel came in the retail box with CPU and cooling fan but no paste. I attached the fan right to the top of the CPU and so far it's fine. Anything for me to worry about here??

Thanks!

Doghouse

[Doghouse Riley]

Typo in above - mobo is Abit IP35 Pro

[flanzig1]

As for the thermal compound question, the Intel heatsink has a thermal pad on the heatsink, so your OK.
To verify that the on-board sound device is making the noise, plug the headphones into the jack at the back of the motherboard. If the noise is not there, then it is the connections to the front case header, may has the connections to the motherboard not correct.
For the unknown device, in Device Manager could disable that device and see if something doesn't work.

[Doghouse Riley]

Thanks for the reply. Tried the headset jack on the mobo itself and still get the same problem. Taking the question to the A/V section of the board.