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Posted: Aug 05 2011 07:52 pm

So I've got a Toshiba Qosmio 305X, with an integrated webcam on the monitor. I rarely use it, but will need it soon. When I tried to activate it, I get an error message that reads, "webcam is either disabled or has failed. Please check your webcam settings."

I went into the device manager, and the webcam doesn't seem to exist anymore. I tried hunting down and installing the software and drivers for the camera, but when I try to install them, it tells me its already installed. Tried again, rebooted, the whole works, still nothing in the device manager, and it won't find the camera when I search for it.

I'm a bit at a loss here, and I'm not sure what could have caused this or what else I could try installing to fix it. OS is Vista, if that makes a difference. (Yes, I know I should be using Windows 7. I'll upgrade soon.)

Any thoughts?

Posted: Aug 05 2011 08:03 pm

No idea.

Also: webcam jokes will probably be modded.

Banned Joined: Sep 13 2008 Posts: 3129

Inb4 GP fixes everything

can you give me a screenshot of device manager?

Also Hawk MODDED FOR INAPPROPRIATENESS This Is A Joke

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Before I begin, I might have had a little too much to drink tonight. I apologize for... well... drinking and typing.

With that said, I would begin by reinstalling the device driver.

You can find drivers in the downloads section here:
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/home.jsp

If you can give a more specific model, I'll be happy to dive deeper tomorrow when I have a clear head.

Also, if the computer came with Vista, don't worry about Vista being the OS. It will work just fine.

Posted: Aug 06 2011 01:32 am

or if you need it and are willing to spend ten bucks, Big Lots typically has them.
Then there is amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Webcam-Camera-Vision-Meeting-compatible/dp/B0015TJNEY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312608706&sr=8-1

Posted: Aug 06 2011 09:14 pm

You know GP, I tried reinstalling the drivers, but all I got was a "this is already installed" message. I tried repairing the installation, but no dice--it still won't appear in the device manager. Wtf?

Joined: Jun 08 2010 Location: Termina Field Posts: 1541

I assume you would have also uninstalled the drivers for the webcam (if any) before reinstalling.

If you have been doing this, and getting that error message, something odd is going on.

Wizard Joined: Jun 12 2009 Posts: 4209

Mr. Satire wrote:

I assume you would have also uninstalled the drivers for the webcam (if any) before reinstalling.

See, I was going to suggest this, but it sounded too obvious.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

SoldierHawk wrote:

You know GP, I tried reinstalling the drivers, but all I got was a "this is already installed" message. I tried repairing the installation, but no dice--it still won't appear in the device manager. Wtf?

Uninstall it through the control panel, see if you then get an error in the device manager. If not, you may have to go device ID fishing.

Posted: Aug 08 2011 03:33 pm

Okay so prepare to laugh at me...one of the issues I was having is that I was trying to install the WIN 7 driver for the webcam, not Vista. However, the Toshiba website doesn't seem to HAVE a Vista webcam driver for my make and model. Am I missing something? (FWIW I tried googling around other driver sites too, with no luck.)

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

SoldierHawk wrote:

Okay so prepare to laugh at me...one of the issues I was having is that I was trying to install the WIN 7 driver for the webcam, not Vista. However, the Toshiba website doesn't seem to HAVE a Vista webcam driver for my make and model. Am I missing something? (FWIW I tried googling around other driver sites too, with no luck.)

Do you have a CD or DVD that has drivers on it?

How about a Toshiba Updater software or something like that?

Posted: Sep 02 2011 11:04 pm

Bumping at GP's request, since this is easier than PM.

Still same issue, won't appear in device manager despite numerous attempts to reinstall the drivers. I don't have 'em on CD, sadly, so I've been depending on downloaded ones from the Toshiba site.

Also, the full model is X-305 Q705

Posted: Sep 03 2011 03:44 am

Wow people actually made inappropriate webcam jokes to Hawk? Don't they know that she'll fucking cut them?

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Hawk,

They don't list a camera driver for your system. They do have software for Windows 7 though.

Windows 7 Camera Software:
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/support/downloads/driver_camera_chicony_TC40054600B.exe

Not exactly what you are looking for, but it might work. If it doesn't...

Open the Device Manager, select the webcam device, tell it to search for a new driver. Point to the "C:" drive and let it search for a new driver (make sure it searches subdirectories).

Posted: Sep 03 2011 08:03 pm

I would GP, but the camera doesn't appear in Device Manager.

Banned Joined: Sep 13 2008 Posts: 3129

Back when I was an intern it was always the Toshiba laptops that gave us hell... a 64 bit system with no 64 bit drivers available... (shudders at the memory)

Hawk I understand trying to get the camera on your laptop to work, but in my experience laptop cameras are of really low quality, is buying an external webcam not an option

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Laptop webcams are usually of lower quality than stand alone webcams, but that isn't to say that they are of poor quality all together.

Hawk, my suggestions to fix the computer going forwards are all somewhat dangerous to the OS and buying an external webcam might be an easier choice.

At this point I would be looking to run the System File Checker.
http://goo.gl/1dpyI

Code:

sfc /scannow

YOU MUST HAVE A VISTA DVD AVAILABLE.

Have you contacted Toshiba support yet? I would send them an email.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Hawk.

Exit and quit Skype or any other video app.

Close the laptop to a 15-20 degree angle.

Slowly open the laptop to a 60 degree angle.

Wait about 30 seconds.

Load your video app.

If it works, open the monitor slowly until it is about 80 degrees open.

Bringing the monitor beyond that point may cause it to fail. Quit the video app and retry.

Find the sweetspot through trial and error.

This post is not a joke. I swear I think it will work. Seriously, not a joke. Stop thinking that I am joking, I am not. Fine, think it is a joke, but try it anyways because what if I am telling the truth. I am telling the truth.

Banned Joined: Sep 13 2008 Posts: 3129

Did you forget your medication again?

And I get it, it could be a short in the camera.

Joined: Apr 13 2011 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 27

Well, a short, or a problem with the contacts that are supposed to turn off the camera when the lid is closed.

Posted: Sep 10 2011 03:26 pm

Interesting. Will try it as soon as I have computer access again.

Posted: Sep 10 2011 08:22 pm

Humbug, it didn't work on my first three attempts. I'll keep playing around with it though--it could just be that my idea of angles is all wrong.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

On Friday someone brought me a Toshiba laptop running Vista with the exact same problem. I swear to you, the fix I found was online and worked. Someone else paid me to figure this out.