[Cerberus262]

Hello,

My built-in webcam on my Sony VGN-FJ270 laptop is not working. The Device Manager lists the model as VGN-VCC1, but has the yellow circle next to it. I've spent hours online with Sony support, but they haven't been able to solve the problem. Tried updating driver, uninstalling and reinstalling, nothing seems to work. Any ideas what I might be able to do to get it working?

Running Win XP SP3, no special modifications to the system...

Thanks,
Mark

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Hi Cerberus262
Have you tried uninstalling the actual device and rebooting to see if it is reinstalled?

[phillpower2]

Hi Cerberus262
Have you tried uninstalling the actual device and rebooting to see if it is reinstalled?

[Cerberus262]

Hi Cerberus262
Have you tried uninstalling the actual device and rebooting to see if it is reinstalled?

I have tried uninstalling the device through Device Manager, rebooting and reinstalling. I can seem to get the device to show OK, but I can't use it with any programs.

If you mean a physical removal of the hardware device, it's a built-in webcam. Can't do that without taking apart the laptop screen. Not that committed to this project...

[phillpower2]

If you mean a physical removal of the hardware device, it's a built-in webcam. Can't do that without taking apart the laptop screen. Not that committed to this project...

No not suggesting this.
When you right click on the device in Device Manager what options are you given.

[Cerberus262]

If you mean a physical removal of the hardware device, it's a built-in webcam. Can't do that without taking apart the laptop screen. Not that committed to this project...

No not suggesting this.
When you right click on the device in Device Manager what options are you given.

Update Driver..., Disable, Uninstall, Scan for hardware changes, Properties

[phillpower2]

Which would normally suggest a driver issue as you suggested, try downloading and running DriverMax http://www.innovativ....com/drivermax/ you are allowed to download two drivers a day for free from there.

I am only suggesting the free driver downloads and in no way suggesting that you use any other product or service at the link.

[Delbrugge]

Anything change before it stopped working on your laptop?

[Cerberus262]

@Delbrugge - I bought the system used about 18 months ago and never tried to use it until now. Not sure it ever worked...

@Phillpower2 - downloaded DriverMax and it found an updated driver for the webcam. Updated, reset, no change. Still will not work with the cam software. Same condition in Device Manager - shows working properly under device status, same four choices I referenced before. It is a different driver.

There are about 15 other drivers to be updated - 5 of them are for USB Host Controllers. Think they might need updating to solve the issue as well?

[phillpower2]

Try reinstalling the original chipset (Motherboard) and camera drivers from http://esupport.sony...ad#/downloadTab

[Cerberus262]

Tried reinstalling MB drivers - get a message saying that "This driver was not intended for your computer model". Will not proceed...

Is this because when I check System Information it shows the model as "Reserved" vs. the sticker on the computer that gives me the model number VGN-FJ270?

[phillpower2]

Please Run the PCPitstop.com OverDrive Full Tests

Here's how:

You must use your Internet Explorer for this procedure. (doesn't work so well in Firefox or others). If your machine is running Vista or Windows 7, you must Select IE to “Run as Administrator”. After completing PCPitstop OverDrive you can close your IE browser and re-open it Normally so that you are no longer running as administrator.

Go to: http://www.pcpitstop.com
Click on "Free Computer Check-up" listed below PC Pitstop OverDrive
In the User Login - Click on "Sign up FREE!"
You'll need to submit a valid email address and create your own password, then click - Create Account(button)

Now enter your email address and password to Log in, Select - Scan this system Now!(button)
You will then be asked to download an ActiveX component and allow it to install.
It is safe and does not compromise your privacy.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install the ActiveX and to allow the Full Tests to be run on your machine.

The Full Tests take about 2 1/2 - 3 minutes on most machines.
When complete, a Results - Summary - Recommended Fixes will be displayed.

Please post the URL internet address, from your Results, back here into this Topic Thread so that we can review the configuration and present performance levels of your machine.

Note: During the graphics 2D and graphics 3D testing, your screen will display some rapidly moving objects.
If you are sensitive to visual flashing, it may cause dizziness. Therefore, look away from the screen during that portion of the testing.

After reviewing the results we will be more informed and may be able to provide better recommendations for you to work towards improving your machine's performance.

While PCPitstop does offer a variety of Paid Products, the PCPitstop OverDrive testing is FREE. Please ignore the references to Paid Products. We prefer to provide manual solution instructions that you can apply directly to your machine.

Thanks to rshaffer61 for the PCPitstop instructions

[Cerberus262]

URL for test: http://www.pcpitstop...?conid=24753102

[phillpower2]

You have the latest available driver for the device installed so that may not be the cause of the issue, I notice that you have Symantec software installed and I suggest that you uninstall it as it is both old and known to cause issues http://www.symantec.....jsp?asid=23348 and http://www.symantec....2001.10.05.html + having more than one security system (you also have Avast free) can lead to system instability, use the proper Norton uninstaller to remove their software, see https://www-secure.s...n=1&pvid=f-home

Please return to the PCPitstop results and address the items that have a red X against them, if you hover the cursor over the item you will be given a description of the issue and if you click on it you will be instructed how to correct the problem, post back when you have done this.

[Cerberus262]

I have done what was recommended with the following items left on the list:


Clear IE Cache Performance 53 MB (Already did this, but wants me to do it again...)
Delete Temporary Files Performance 716 MB (Again, already did this...)
Defragment Drive C: Performance 49% (Haven't done yet)
Reduce System Restore Capacity Performance 1324 MB (I can't lower the threshold any more than I have...)
Update Sound,video and game controllers Driver Drivers 11/30/2010 5.10.0.6257 (This update is not listed on Sony's site, nor found by DriverMax utility)

Is that enough for us to proceed with the troubleshooting? I can't imagine a defrag will solve my problem.

See the updated test at the link above to confirm what I've done.

Thanks for your time and efforts - it is appreciated!

[phillpower2]

Please provide a url for any updated PCPitstop results.

I have done what was recommended with the following items left on the list:

Clear IE Cache Performance 53 MB (Already did this, but wants me to do it again...)
Delete Temporary Files Performance 716 MB (Again, already did this...)
Defragment Drive C: Performance 49% (Haven't done yet)
Reduce System Restore Capacity Performance 1324 MB (I can't lower the threshold any more than I have...)
Update Sound,video and game controllers Driver Drivers 11/30/2010 5.10.0.6257 (This update is not listed on Sony's site, nor found by DriverMax utility)

Please note that these are recommended fixes which are being suggested to improve the overall stability of your computer so do as much as you can, troubleshooting is a process of elimination so these issues must be dealt with so as to be ruled out.

Regarding the Symantec software;

Having more than one AV software is not advisable as it can make your system unstable, your system can also become unstable if you do not uninstall AV software correctly by using the products own uninstaller as even a trace of another AV program can cause various issues https://www-secure.s...n=1&pvid=f-home