Got a Web Cam Problem ?
If you’ve got a
web cam problem , it will generally fall into one of two
categories, either software or hardware.
The majority of
software problems occur due to incompatibility between the
software and the operating system, it has simply been installed
incorrectly or the driver has become corrupt or damaged, this
usually happens if part of the software or registry is changed
is some way, usually when some other software is installed.
If the web cam has been working ok, the first thing to do if you running
Windows Xp or Vista is to simply run a system restore, you can
find out how to run this simple procedure from our out other
article.
Running a system
restore will put a computer back to a set date that you choose,
any installed software after this period will be removed. Any
files created after this should always be backed up, although
they should be ok.
The next thing to
try is, looking for software updates for the web cam, it has
been known for Microsoft and manufacturer updates to
occasionally cause issues when fixing others. Generally when
installing a USB web cam run the installation CD before plugging
in the web cam , otherwise it may try to install the software
incorrectly.
When it comes to
diagnosing and fixing hardware web cam problems they can be
harder to fix, and usually this is the time to return or replace
the hardware, BUT of course there are a few simple things we can
attempt before this.
Firstly it’s always worth trying another USB port, do other USB
devices work ok in the same port ?
Will the web cam only
work in a USB 2 port, and does your computer only have USB 1 ?
you can find this out by simply RIGHT clicking on MY COMPUTER ,
select PROPERTIES, choose the HARDWARE tab, DEVICE MANAGER,
scroll down to
Universal Serial Bus Controllers, If you see Standard Enhanced,
then you have USB 2, if not you can add a USB 2 card either to a
Desktop which would need a USB 2 PCI card or a PCMCIA type for a
laptop.
Next we have the
dreaded firmware upgrade, firmware updates fix many similar
problems such as low power in USB ports, better laptop battery
life, plus lots more.
If you choose this
option, make sure you have the right firmware update, your
supplier/manufacturer will be able to help with this, one word
of warning, make sure and doubly sure you have the right upgrade
for your machine, the wrong upgrade can simply render your
computer useless.
The last point to
mention is the amount of power needed to power the web cam,
sometimes a USB port may not provide sufficient power to enable
a USB device such, if this is the case, then either a powered
USB hub or a USB splitter cable is the answer, this basically
allows a USB device to occupy both of the USB ports thus
receiving double the power.
Luckily if the problem turns out to be a hardware web cam problem
then this usually means a case of a new web cam, otherwise you
could be looking at faulty USB ports which will be much more
expensive if you choose to get it fixed.
want to try and fix your web cam
problem with a system restore, read more here
computer adviser
web cam problem article |
