I've just noticed

[Rik]

A folder on this machine which must have been there since I bought it. It's top level is NVIDIA corporation, the next folder level is Forceware, then nStant media. The folders below that contain some codecs and a bunch of BMP files.

As I have an ATI card, I'm not sure why it got there - anyone got any clues?

Thanks.

[Steve]

OEM all encompassing image of OS copied to primary disk drive?

[vitriol]

Sounds the most reasonable explanation Steve.

edit just thought, you might have an nVidia chipset motherboard Rik.  The forceware is the chipset drivers.  Do you know the make and model of your motherboard?

[Sebby]

Yep, I'd agree wit Steve. Quite often a particular model can come with a choice of graphics adaptors, for example.

[Steve]

The Nvidia video drivers are also called forceware and nstant media is some form of media player player I believe.

[Rik]

edit just thought, you might have an nVidia chipset motherboard Rik.  The forceware is the chipset drivers.  Do you know the make and model of your motherboard?

Asus P5W64 WS Pro, Vit. It doesn't appear to have onboard graphics, just sound, though I may be missing something.

[Rik]

The Nvidia video drivers are also called forceware and nstant media is some form of media player player I believe.

It's listed in Control Panel as NVIDIA Pure Video Decoder, Steve.

[Steve]

It's listed in Control Panel as NVIDIA Pure Video Decoder, Steve.

That's there H.264 video decoder I think

[Rik]

Can you expand a little, please, Steve?

[Sebby]

I think it's a video compression standard, Rik.

[Rik]

So, do I need it?

[Sebby]

If it's in the Device Manager, there must be something of an nVidia nature in there, so I'd leave it!

[Rik]

DM doesn't list any of the files under its video codecs.

[Sebby]

Strange. I'd still be inclined to leave it alone.

[Steve]

Its a plug in for WMP and WMC for DVD and mpeg2 playback, it obviously supports their graphic chipsets but also provides audio support i.e Dolby 5.1 to their onboard soundcard and also some creative cards. I purchased it about 2 years ago. http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html.

[Rik]

Strange. I'd still be inclined to leave it alone.

I probably will, Seb, I'm just intrigued to know what it's there for. I did find a bit through Google which said that, when the codecs were in use by WMP, the Nvidia icon would appear in the systray, but that's never happened. I suspect Steve is right at #1, all encompassing installation from master disk.

[Rik]

Its a plug in for WMP and WMC for DVD and mpeg2 playback, it obviously supports their graphic chipsets but also provides audio support i.e Dolby 5.1 to their onboard soundcard and also some creative cards. I purchased it about 2 years ago. http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html.

Thanks, Steve. I wonder if it's there for the Soundblaster card then?

[Steve]

You have to pay for it once the trial has expired, whether the audio option works without a Nvidia graphic's card I have no idea.

You do get an icon in the tray with WMP playing DVD using the plugin

[Rik]

Well, I haven't paid either.

[vitriol]

Having just read a review of your board it's an Intel chipset.  Interesting to note that it has 4 PCI Express slots ! Imagine the possibilities with four ATi Radeon cards in there running in crossfire mode ! Gaming heaven !

I don't see where the Nvidia stuff fits in at all, I don't think it will cause you any trouble, should be safe to just leave it.

[Rik]

Thanks, Vit. I content myself with a single card - games don't tend to cross my path.

[vitriol]

but if the Radeons had dual outputs then you could fit 8 Eizo monitors to it 

[Rik]

True. I'd also be looking for a new house and wife, I suspect.

[vitriol]

 

[Steve]

True. I'd also be looking for a new house and wife, I suspect.

She'd get half the Eizos