Why does plugin check show me an 'unknown plugin' with no description?
I check to see if my plugins are up to date.
The response includes two entries labeled 'Unknown Plugins':
Plugin Status Action
[blue lego brick] Intel web components {...} unknown [? Research] [blue lego brick] {this field is blank! ..???} unknown [? Research]
The first is bad enough: if it's 'Intel', how can it be 'unknown'?
... but the second is worse: how can one 'research' an 'unknown' something where there is no text description about it?
Thanks for listening.
Modified by pendantry
All Replies (14)
The plugin is nothing you need to worry about theirs lot's of weird plugins in the world. Just forget about it and enjoy firefox! Good Luck, Mitch!
Open a new tab or window. In the address bar, type about:support <enter> On the left side under the banner press the button; Copy Text To Clipboard. Return to this page and Paste into the reply box.
Thanks for trying to help :)
=================
Application Basics
Name: Firefox Version: 29.0.1 User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64; rv:29.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/29.0
Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days
All Crash Reports
Extensions
Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.6 Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}
Important Modified Preferences
accessibility.typeaheadfind.flashBar: 0 browser.cache.disk.capacity: 20480 browser.cache.disk.smart_size_cached_value: 358400 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.enabled: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size.use_old_max: false browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 6 browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20140506152807 browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20140506152807 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 29.0.1 browser.tabs.warnOnClose: false dom.mozApps.used: true extensions.lastAppVersion: 29.0.1 font.name.serif.x-western: Verdana font.size.variable.x-western: 14 general.autoScroll: false gfx.direct3d.last_used_feature_level_idx: 1 network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1401512933 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true plugin.state.npintelwebapiipt: 1 plugin.state.npintelwebapiupdater: 1 plugin.state.npnv3dv: 0 plugin.state.npnv3dvstreaming: 0 privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true storage.vacuum.last.index: 1 storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1399721117
Graphics
Adapter Description: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT Adapter Drivers: nvd3dumx,nvwgf2umx,nvwgf2umx nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um Adapter RAM: 512 ClearType Parameters: Gamma: 2200 Pixel Structure: R ClearType Level: 100 Enhanced Contrast: 50 Device ID: 0x0402 Direct2D Enabled: true DirectWrite Enabled: true (6.3.9600.16384) Driver Date: 5-19-2014 Driver Version: 9.18.13.3788 GPU #2 Active: false GPU Accelerated Windows: 2/2 Direct3D 10 Vendor ID: 0x10de WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) windowLayerManagerRemote: false AzureCanvasBackend: direct2d AzureContentBackend: direct2d AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo AzureSkiaAccelerated: 0
JavaScript
Incremental GC: true
Accessibility
Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0
Library Versions
NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.10.3 Version in use: 4.10.3
NSS Expected minimum version: 3.16 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.16 Basic ECC
NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.16 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.16 Basic ECC
NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.16 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.16 Basic ECC
NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.16 Version in use: 3.16
@Mitch I appreciate your comment, and to be honest my main concern, rather than solving the problem for myself (though that's always nice too) is that the 'plugin checker' appears to be misbehaving. If it's showing weird results like this for me then it will almost certainly be doing the same for others.
I'm a quasi-luddite: I object on principle to machines and systems that misbehave; when what it says on the tin is that they are supposed to make our lives easier but instead they offer confuzzling gibberish it tends to trigger my rant reflex :)
Okay. Now do the same with about:plugins There is no copy button, so you will have to mark the page manually.
pendantry, you are correct in wanting to check what is on your computer. A great many mal-ware, spy, virus and all kinds of junk can end up in the computer. Some without the user knowing it is there, For example, the last time you installed something on the computer, did you select the Recommended option? With some installers, using the recommended set up will install what you want. BUT it may also install other things like add ware.
Installed plugins Find updates for installed plugins at mozilla.com/plugincheck NVIDIA 3D Vision
File: npnv3dv.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\npnv3dv.dll Version: 7.17.13.3788 State: Disabled NVIDIA 3D Vision plugin for Mozilla browsers
MIME Type Description Suffixes image/jps JPEG-based stereo image jps image/pns PNG-based stereo image pns image/mpo Multi-Picture Format image mpo NVIDIA 3D VISION
File: npnv3dvstreaming.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\npnv3dvstreaming.dll Version: 7.17.13.3788 State: Disabled NVIDIA 3D Vision Streaming plugin for Mozilla browsers
MIME Type Description Suffixes application/mozilla-3dv-streaming-plugin npnv3dvstreaming rts Shockwave Flash
File: NPSWF32_13_0_0_214.dll Path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32_13_0_0_214.dll Version: 13.0.0.214 State: Enabled Shockwave Flash 13.0 r0
MIME Type Description Suffixes application/x-shockwave-flash Adobe Flash movie swf application/futuresplash FutureSplash movie spl Java(TM) Platform SE 7 U55
File: npjp2.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\plugin2\npjp2.dll Version: 10.55.2.14 State: Enabled Next Generation Java Plug-in 10.55.2 for Mozilla browsers
MIME Type Description Suffixes application/x-java-applet Java Applet application/x-java-bean JavaBeans application/x-java-vm application/x-java-applet;version=1.1.1 application/x-java-bean;version=1.1.1 application/x-java-applet;version=1.1 application/x-java-bean;version=1.1 application/x-java-applet;version=1.2 application/x-java-bean;version=1.2 application/x-java-applet;version=1.1.3 application/x-java-bean;version=1.1.3 application/x-java-applet;version=1.1.2 application/x-java-bean;version=1.1.2 application/x-java-applet;version=1.3 application/x-java-bean;version=1.3 application/x-java-applet;version=1.2.2 application/x-java-bean;version=1.2.2 application/x-java-applet;version=1.2.1 application/x-java-bean;version=1.2.1 application/x-java-applet;version=1.3.1 application/x-java-bean;version=1.3.1 application/x-java-applet;version=1.4 application/x-java-bean;version=1.4 application/x-java-applet;version=1.4.1 application/x-java-bean;version=1.4.1 application/x-java-applet;version=1.4.2 application/x-java-bean;version=1.4.2 application/x-java-applet;version=1.5 application/x-java-bean;version=1.5 application/x-java-applet;version=1.6 application/x-java-bean;version=1.6 application/x-java-applet;version=1.7 application/x-java-bean;version=1.7 application/x-java-applet;jpi-version=1.7.0_55 application/x-java-bean;jpi-version=1.7.0_55 application/x-java-vm-npruntime application/x-java-applet;deploy=10.55.2 application/x-java-applet;javafx=2.2.55 Java Deployment Toolkit 7.0.550.14
File: npdeployJava1.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\dtplugin\npdeployJava1.dll Version: 10.55.2.14 State: Enabled (STATE_VULNERABLE_NO_UPDATE) NPRuntime Script Plug-in Library for Java(TM) Deploy
MIME Type Description Suffixes application/java-deployment-toolkit Adobe Acrobat
File: nppdf32.dll,nppdf32.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 11.0\Reader\AIR\nppdf32.dll,C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 11.0\Reader\browser\nppdf32.dll Version: 11.0.6.70 State: Enabled Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape 11.0.06
MIME Type Description Suffixes application/pdf Acrobat Portable Document Format pdf application/vnd.adobe.pdfxml Adobe PDF in XML Format pdfxml application/vnd.adobe.x-mars Adobe PDF in XML Format mars application/vnd.fdf Acrobat Forms Data Format fdf application/vnd.adobe.xfdf XML Version of Acrobat Forms Data Format xfdf application/vnd.adobe.xdp+xml Acrobat XML Data Package xdp application/vnd.adobe.xfd+xml Adobe FormFlow99 Data File xfd application/pdf Acrobat Portable Document Format pdf application/vnd.adobe.pdfxml Adobe PDF in XML Format pdfxml application/vnd.adobe.x-mars Adobe PDF in XML Format mars application/vnd.fdf Acrobat Forms Data Format fdf application/vnd.adobe.xfdf XML Version of Acrobat Forms Data Format xfdf application/vnd.adobe.xdp+xml Acrobat XML Data Package xdp application/vnd.adobe.xfd+xml Adobe FormFlow99 Data File xfd
File: npIntelWebAPIIPT.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\IPT\npIntelWebAPIIPT.dll Version: 3.0.72.0 State: Enabled
MIME Type Description Suffixes application/x-vnd-intel-webapi-ipt-3.0.72 npIntelWebAPIipt-2-0
File: npIntelWebAPIUpdater.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\IPT\npIntelWebAPIUpdater.dll Version: 3.0.72.0 State: Enabled Intel web components updater - Installs and updates the Intel web components
MIME Type Description Suffixes application/x-vnd-intel-webapi-updater npIntelWebAPIupdater-2-0 intel_webapi_updater-2-0
Your question, Why does plugin check show me an 'unknown plugin' with no description? refers to Mozilla's PluginCheck webpage. The Plugin check page says, at the bottom,
Have more questions? Visit support.mozilla.org for more help!
Your question really isn't related to Firefox support. What I can do is to escalate this to the Helpdesk to see if a Mozilla employee can provide a better answer but maybe this will help:
The PluginCheck page identifies the plugins that your browser detects are installed. Plugins that are not included in Mozilla's plugin database have a "[? Research]" button (see this bug for some background but please don't comment in bug reports). Did that "Research" button not link to anything?
The plugin that does not have a description appears to be this one (as shown in your about:plugins list)
File: npIntelWebAPIIPT.dll Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\IPT\npIntelWebAPIIPT.dll Version: 3.0.72.0 State: Enabled MIME Type Description Suffixes application/x-vnd-intel-webapi-ipt-3.0.72 npIntelWebAPIipt-2-0
If you need more information about this plugin you'll need to research it yourself.
Here's another plugin detection website, if you want to compare results: http://browserspy.dk/plugins.php
Modified by AliceWyman
Thanks, AliceWyman.
This is some help, for my situation.
What I'm actually more interested in is in fact my original question, ie:
"Why does plugin check show me an 'unknown plugin' with no description?"
The answer to your question "Did that "Research" button not link to anything?" is this: it links to the following URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=current%20version%20plugin . As you can see, this is of no help at all -- unsurprisingly, since the 'plugin check' system links to an 'unknown plugin' with no description.
As I said to Mitch earlier in this thread:
I appreciate your comment, and to be honest my main concern, rather than solving the problem for myself (though that's always nice too) is that the 'plugin checker' appears to be misbehaving. If it's showing weird results like this for me then it will almost certainly be doing the same for others.
I'm a quasi-luddite: I object on principle to machines and systems that misbehave; when what it says on the tin is that they are supposed to make our lives easier but instead they offer confuzzling gibberish it tends to trigger my rant reflex :)
In short: thanks, but you're missing the point. The 'plugin check' is flawed.
You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to help, even just a little bit.
Like I said before, I've escalated your question, Why does plugin check show me an 'unknown plugin' with no description? to the Mozilla Helpdesk, so that a Mozilla employee can respond. Escalated questions normally get a reply within 72 hours.
Hopefully the HelpDesk can answer or at least tell you how to submit your concerns to Mozilla. I don't even know if you should use the Firefox feedback avenue input.mozilla.org/feedback to submit PluginCheck feedback.
I'll give the https://input.mozilla.org/en-GB/feedback link route a try.
Many thanks for your time, AliceWyman!
You can check the about:plugins page or the pluginreg.dat file in the Firefox profile folder for details like the file path of each plugin.
You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:
- Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Thank you, Cor-el.
However:
I appreciate your comment, and to be honest my main concern, rather than solving the problem for myself (though that's always nice too) is that the 'plugin checker' appears to be misbehaving. If it's showing weird results like this for me then it will almost certainly be doing the same for others.
No apologies for the copy-paste from earlier in the thread.
The plugin check page is only reliable for a few commonly used plugins and can best be ignored in case of unknown and otherwise not recognized plugins. When a newer plugin version are no longer supported on older platforms then things can be more confusing as this is usually not implemented or takes time to implement. An example of the latter is the Adobe PDF plugin (Adobe Reader) on Windows Vista (Windows 6.0).
That being the case the plugin tool needs a disclaimer to that effect. Telling the user that it's important to do something and then offering a flawed 'checking' tool is not a kindness to the user. Some of us have other things to do with our time.