Nvidia might not provide full support for Windows Vista as some disgruntled customers have alleged, and could face a potential class action lawsuit for failing to deliver on its Vista ready products, but the company can not stay away from the operating system.

Together with Microsoft, Nvidia has kicked into gear a competition revolving around Windows Vista that promises to award NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards for participants that will write code for the operating system. "Take part in the exclusive contest for Windows Vista Gadgets organized by NVIDIA in association with Microsoft India for a chance to win exciting prizes, including NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards and many NVIDIA-branded goodies," reads an invitation posted on the Nvidia official website.

The Vista contest is designed to produce additional content for the Windows Sidebar. Microsoft itself has held a similar competition on the heels of the Vista launch. Behind these two initiatives lies the need to supply Windows users with a constant stream of gadgets and associated content that will enhance the Vista desktop via the Windows Sidebar.

The Nvidia Windows Vista Gadget Contest will run for one month from April 25 through May 24th, 2007. Nvidia revealed that the winners will be made public May 31. BIG GeForce 8800 GTS, BIG GeForce 9500 GT and SPARKLE GeForce 6200 AGP are the top prizes that will go to the participants with the most impressive gadgets for Vista. Additionally, Nvidia will reward every fifth participant with various branded goodies. All you have to do is register and then submit your code.