Glad to hear that the issue is resolved. Check the Ring Engineering Assistant periodically (or this forum) to see if there are any new updates. You'll want to always keep things updated as much as possible.
Regarding keep-alives and powered frogs. You really have to look at your situation to help make a decision. If you have your own layout and have the ability to add powered frogs, I would. If you are going to be running your locomotives on anyone else's layout I would install keep-alives. You have control over your own track, but you don't have control over someone else's. I, for the moment, have to run my stuff at other layouts, and I'm at the mercy of their trackwork, wiring, and cleanliness. Keep-alives are a must for me. If I had my own layout I would make the trackwork as perfect as possible and avoid the need for keep alives. They really aren't that fun to install in some locomotives.
-Kevin