WEBCAM Problem

[LenC]

I have two Vaio laptops (one is XP, one is Vista) and have had occasional problems with both of them regarding the WEBCAM. When I try to use it for an AIM video chat, I get an error message saying the WEBCAM is in use by another program. I'm not sure what that "other program" is. I haven't been able to identify any processes in task manager that would be using it. I now have a more serious problem with the Vista computer (model VGN-Z520N). The webcam is no longer showing up in device manager at all. Any thoughts as to how to fix this and prevent it from happening in future?

Thanks, Len

[tipstir]

-{ Quote: "I have two Vaio laptops (one is XP, one is Vista) and have had occasional problems with both of them regarding the WEBCAM. When I try to use it for an AIM video chat, I get an error message saying the WEBCAM is in use by another program. I'm not sure what that "other program" is. I haven't been able to identify any processes in task manager that would be using it. I now have a more serious problem with the Vista computer (model VGN-Z520N). The webcam is no longer showing up in device manager at all. Any thoughts as to how to fix this and prevent it from happening in future?

Thanks, Len" }-

Sounds like the driver is corrupted. Just download the latest driver and install it. Or uninstall the driver, then reboot the system, then reinstall the newest driver. Also sometimes if you don't shutdown the webcam properly you might have it still running then you go to turn it on again it would say the process is already running. You would need to stop that service or driver from loading. Best way is just to reboot the system to flush out system and start fresh.

[LenC]

-{ Quote: "Sounds like the driver is corrupted. Just download the latest driver and install it. Or uninstall the driver, then reboot the system, then reinstall the newest driver. Also sometimes if you don't shutdown the webcam properly you might have it still running then you go to turn it on again it would say the process is already running. You would need to stop that service or driver from loading. Best way is just to reboot the system to flush out system and start fresh." }-

I tried reinstalling driver - didn't help. The webcam is integrated into laptop, so I can't turn it on or off (can I?). Sony told me to reinstall camera utility software - I'll try that, but I'm not hopeful.

Rather than spend my life trying to debug this thing, I might try to use an external webcam and just kill the integrated webcam entirely. These vaios are very disappointing hardware - especially for the price - for this reason and others.:thumbd: I was foolish to buy the second one.

[tipstir]

-{ Quote: "I tried reinstalling driver - didn't help. The webcam is integrated into laptop, so I can't turn it on or off (can I?). Sony told me to reinstall camera utility software - I'll try that, but I'm not hopeful.

Rather than spend my life trying to debug this thing, I might try to use an external webcam and just kill the integrated webcam entirely. These vaios are very disappointing hardware - especially for the price - for this reason and others.:thumbd: I was foolish to buy the second one." }-

Oh you did buy a SONY well still better than most out there. The only problem with them is getting the right drivers. Did SONY have some sort of update for the camera utility software? Sounds like there isn't one. So there is a problem with the software and the OS.

You should have something in the system tray for the webcam to disable it and enable it? Thus is where the Webcam software is suppose to load it. Make sure the webcam service is eabled and set to auto. If you decided to disabled the built-in one go and get yourself the Logitech webcam.

[LenC]

Thanks Tipstir - This is actually my son's computer. I'll see him (and the computer) this weekend. I'll see what I can do.

BTW, I did read that a webcam can conflict with an all-in-one printer. It just so happens the computer is attached to an HP all-in-one. Do you think that is a possibility?

[tipstir]

-{ Quote: "Thanks Tipstir - This is actually my son's computer. I'll see him (and the computer) this weekend. I'll see what I can do.

BTW, I did read that a webcam can conflict with an all-in-one printer. It just so happens the computer is attached to an HP all-in-one. Do you think that is a possibility?" }-

Depends.. I have HP all-in-one and webcam. You can still use it has a printer by buying a small print server that has USB and LAN connection doing that would still allow you to print with the webcam active. If you want to scan/copy then you would need to remove or disable the webcam. Again it depends on the webcam might not have a conflict? Just try and see what happens.

[HKEY1952]

@tipster,
What would cause an conflict between an WebCam and an all-in-one-printer?
I am having an hard time understanding the logical problem/conflict, would you please shed some light on this for me/us?


Thanks,
HKEY1952

[tipstir]

-{ Quote: "@tipster,
What would cause an conflict between an WebCam and an all-in-one-printer?
I am having an hard time understanding the logical problem/conflict, would you please shed some light on this for me/us?


Thanks,
HKEY1952" }-

OP stated that. I have HP all-in-one home and business and don't have that issue but not saying just became I don't have that issue someone else might have some sort of conflict with certain brands of webcam.

But you must know that HP all-in-one software and drivers are known for issues when it comes to other devices connected to USB. Of course there are workarounds to fix these issues.

[LenC]

-{ Quote: "@tipster,
What would cause an conflict between an WebCam and an all-in-one-printer?
I am having an hard time understanding the logical problem/conflict, would you please shed some light on this for me/us?


Thanks,
HKEY1952" }-

Because the all-in-one has an imaging device (scanner) and the webcam shows up under imaging devices in device manager - that is what I read, I'm not saying I agree with it (or fully understand it).

I will have access to computer this weekend and will do some troubleshooting - as best I can. I'll report back on Monday.

[tipstir]

-{ Quote: "Because the all-in-one has an imaging device (scanner) and the webcam shows up under imaging devices in device manager - that is what I read, I'm not saying I agree with it (or fully understand it).

I will have access to computer this weekend and will do some troubleshooting - as best I can. I'll report back on Monday." }-

To fix that uninstall the HP-all-in-one driver and software. Reboot the system and install the webcam and test. Get that un and running. Then reboot the system. And install the HP all-in-one scanner/printer and test. IRQ conflict with devices on the same number.

[HKEY1952]

-{ Quote: "To fix that uninstall the HP-all-in-one driver and software. Reboot the system and install the webcam and test. Get that un and running. Then reboot the system. And install the HP all-in-one scanner/printer and test. IRQ conflict with devices on the same number." }-

That's it! :thumb:


HKEY1952

[LenC]

-{ Quote: "To fix that uninstall the HP-all-in-one driver and software. Reboot the system and install the webcam and test. Get that un and running. Then reboot the system. And install the HP all-in-one scanner/printer and test. IRQ conflict with devices on the same number." }-

First of all, Tipstir and HK1952 - thank you for all your help - I really do appreciate it - and need it.

One more question - what do you mean by "IRQ conflict with devices on the same number"? Is that something I'm looking for?

By the way, that is the order in which devices were installed. The computer came with the built-in webcam and I then installed HP hardware and software afterwards.

[tipstir]

-{ Quote: "First of all, Tipstir and HK1952 - thank you for all your help - I really do appreciate it - and need it.

One more question - what do you mean by "IRQ conflict with devices on the same number"? Is that something I'm looking for?

By the way, that is the order in which devices were installed. The computer came with the built-in webcam and I then installed HP hardware and software afterwards." }-

1. control panel
2. system
3. hardware
4. device manager
5. view
6. resources by type

Look under IRQ each device is assigned a number. Sometimes devices use the same number and sometimes it allowed. But in your case you don't want the HP-all-in-one and your webcam to use the same IRQ number.

[HKEY1952]

-{ Quote: "First of all, Tipstir and HK1952 - thank you for all your help - I really do appreciate it - and need it.

One more question - what do you mean by "IRQ conflict with devices on the same number"? Is that something I'm looking for?

By the way, that is the order in which devices were installed. The computer came with the built-in webcam and I then installed HP hardware and software afterwards." }-

IRQ stands for Interrupt Request

-{ Quote: "IRQ stands for Interrupt Request and refers to special numbered channels that are used by devices to get the processors attention.
For example, when you press an key on the keyboard, this sends an signal to the processor via the IRQ Channel one (1), to let the processor know that it needs to process some data.
The device sends an interrupt to the motherboard's interrupt circuitry by changing the voltage level on the interrupt request line. This voltage change acts via interrupt controller circuitry to
interrupt the processor to service the device needing the Central Processing Units (CPU) attention. The Central Processing Unit can be interrupted many times an second, the Central Processing Unit
will then temporally store the program and data it is working on in an area of memory known as: the stack, and load an routine "program" to service the interrupting device, service the device,
move that data out of its buffer, etc., and then restore the program and data it was previously working on and resume what it was doing.

IRQ conflicts can occur when two devices share the same IRQ Channel. So I must conclude that it is not the fault of Hewlett-Packard Software and Drivers, all-in-one printers, or WebCams.....
It is the fault of the Microsoft Windows Operating System for not returning the resources and flushing the memory when requested by the Central Processing Unit (Processor), although faulty or
outdated drivers and software can and will be an contributing variable. Rebooting the computer flushes out the memory and returns the resources, that is why things work afterwards." }-
It is an very deep and complex process, here are some links to help understand Interrupt Requests:

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/change-irq-settings.htm

http://www.duxcw.com/faq/irq/irq.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314068


HKEY1952

[tipstir]

HK so technical, okay for you and I but most might not understand all that techo info. Still good to know..

[Fly]

-{ Quote: "HK so technical, okay for you and I but most might not understand all that techo info. Still good to know.." }-

I suppose it's technical, but there is nothing wrong with understanding the basics of computing.

Decades ago I learned how to program in assembler. Understanding the technical foundations of computers can be useful, it prevents people from seeing the computer as a 'magic box'.

On the other hand, nowadays people don't have the kind of unrealistic expectations of computers like they did 20 years ago. But that's my impression.

[HKEY1952]

-{ Quote: "HK so technical, okay for you and I but most might not understand all that techo info. Still good to know.." }-

I believe the subject is explained on an level for all to comprehend.....Everyone has an brain capacity equal to or greater than my brain capacity or your brain capacity.....
The only difference between your brain and my brain compared to other brains, is that you and I trained our individual brains in an specific region for an specific subject.
Thus, you and I have an higher level of average knowledge in an specific region of our brains pertaining to an specific subject, however, everyone is capable of achieving
the same level of, or greater level of, the higher level of average knowledge that you and I currently exist pertaining to the same subject. Currently, the only difference between
your brain and my brain is that currently, my brain has the ability to understand that my brain is no better than any other brain, and currently, my brain understands that my brain
exists an above average intelligence in an specific region for an specific subject due to an gift from an higher power.
Your brain also exists the same or greater ability compared to my brain to understand what I just Posted.


HKEY1952

[tipstir]

-{ Quote: "I believe the subject is explained on an level for all to comprehend.....Everyone has an brain capacity equal to or greater than my brain capacity or your brain capacity.....
The only difference between your brain and my brain compared to other brains, is that you and I trained our individual brains in an specific region for an specific subject.
Thus, you and I have an higher level of average knowledge in an specific region of our brains pertaining to an specific subject, however, everyone is capable of achieving
the same level of, or greater level of, the higher level of average knowledge that you and I currently exist pertaining to the same subject. Currently, the only difference between
your brain and my brain is that currently, my brain has the ability to understand that my brain is no better than any other brain, and currently, my brain understands that my brain
exists an above average intelligence in an specific region for an specific subject due to an gift from an higher power.
Your brain also exists the same or greater ability compared to my brain to understand what I just Posted.


HKEY1952" }-

Boy what logic stated above.. Brings a smile to my face.. :thumb:

[HKEY1952]

-{ Quote: "Boy what logic stated above.. Brings a smile to my face.. :thumb:" }-

I am glad that I was able to cheer you up! ;D


HKEY1952

[LenC]

I have had difficulty consistently replicating or reproducing my webcam problems. It seems that

1)sometimes everything works fine

2)sometimes I can get no connection and I get messages from either or both computers that the computer has no webcam

3)sometimes I get a weak connection with garbled audio and choppy video

I'm beginning to think this is a connection issue and the problems are due to traffic on either the internet or on my son's school's network. Problems seem to occur most in early evening (around 8:00 or so).

So, thanks everyone for your help, I'll play with this some more and report back if I have any additional information.

[LenC]

I am trying to reinstall vaio webcam utility software. Program appears in control panel (add/remove), but not in my start menu and there is no folder in c\program files. So I assume there is a corrupted installation

So I start by executing "remove program" and it reports that uninstall was successful. I execute the reinstall, but the program files again do not appear in c:\program files and there is no shortcut in my startup menu.

I am baffled as to why the program will not install, but control panel thinks it has installed. Could there be a corrputed entry in my registry that is preventing correct installation? Sony Tech Support tells me to start over with a clean install from recovery disks. That will take so much time to rebuild that I'd prefer to just live without webcam.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Len