Built in webcam not working

[Mokles]

Hi,

 

The webcam on my Advent laptop isn't working. The blue light next to it comes on just after I switch the laptop on but quickly goes off again.

 

I've been in Device Manager but there isn't an Imaging Devices menu. I've looked in all the other menus on there but can't find anything that looks like it refers to the webcam.

 

I hope someone can help. :confused:

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Mokles, can you let us know the full model name and number of your Advent, we might be able to find some information from that.

However, with there being no Imaging devices in Device manager, it could be that it is duff, or the cable that goes from the lid through the hinges has broken, as it looks like Windows cannot see it at all.

If you know what the name of it is, as an example, mine is Acer Crystal eye. Type whatever yours is called into the search option after clicking start, see if it come up with anything..

 

Nev.

[Mokles]

Hi Nev

 

It's Advent Roma 3001.

 

Sorry, but I don't know the name of the built in webcam.

 

Should I try re-installing device drivers?

 

Mokles

[Plastic Nev]

If it is not showing in device manager, there will be no drivers to replace or update.

I will go have a look at what information I can find first regarding the webcam and let you know what else to look for, however, providing the web cam did once work, (I did once come across a situation where it hadn't even been fitted) I still feel it may be duff or a broken cable, as it should be in device manager as "Imaging devices". If it is duff, Windows won't be able to find it to put it into device manager.

 

Nev.

[Plastic Nev]

Ah, from a spec sheet I have found here :-

 

http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/advent/laptop/roma3001.htm

 

That the combination of the Fn key and F11 will either enable or disable the camera, try that key combination just in case it has been disabled by accident.

 

From searches, it seems the normal user manual is all that is available, there seems to be no service manual available. Advent or ECS want you to send it to their repairers and not giving any info for other repair shops.

 

so if it eventually comes to it, as far as actually getting into the laptop to replace the camera, there doesn't seem much help out there apart from a video of someone replacing a screen.

 

Nev.

[Mokles]

Thank you sooo much Nev. The function keys did the trick, it was just disabled and I think I know who the culprit is.

 

I can't understand why it didn't show up in the imaging devices though :confused: so that I could've just enabled it through the Device Manager.

[Plastic Nev]

Possibly that the disable through the key combination hides it so well even Windows doean't know it's there. Any way glad that is all it turned out to be and thanks for letting us know.

I will mark it solved later if there is nothing more.

 

Nev.

[Mokles]

You're right.

 

I enabled it, then went to Device Manager and there it was, but it disappeared before my eyes when I disabled it with the keys.

[Plastic Nev]

:D It explains it all doesn't it. :D

 

If no more problems I will mark this one solved in the morning.

 

Nev.