Alienware M17x webcam problem.

Ok.. so I have an Alienware M17x and I was running windows vista fully updated and the webcam was working just fine. I did not check if it was ever in the device manager, since it was working. I had installed the A00 drivers that came on the alienware resource CD, also the same ones on the dell website for my service tag. One day I decided to finally upgrade it to windows 7. Everything was working well, and then I tried to use the webcam again. It didn't work, so I figured I'd try to reinstall the drivers. At about 90% in (a very quick process) it pops up an error with window name "Setup Integrated Webcam Driver" saying "An error occurred while setting up the driver". So, since my windows 7 wasn't patched, I figured I would try that. Fully patched, same result with the error popping up. So I decided to swap back to windows vista, clean partition. Attempted to install the webcam before other drivers, after other drivers, before windows patching, and after windows was fully patched, all with the same result of the error window popping up during driver installation. The webcam is not in device manager as far as I can tell.

Anyone have any ideas, or need more information on the problem?
All help will be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Yes, I've tried the Fn F9 to enable it. It does nothing, doesn't pop up the camera on the screen. Acts as if there is no webcam.

 

There are 3 M17x laptops currently. Which one do you have? Are you trying to install the driver from the Dell website? Did you reinstall OSD?

 

I believe its the M17x R1, there weren't any others out when I recieved it. Yes, I am installing the drivers from the Dell website. I thought at first maybe it wasn't working because the resource CD is scratched a little. Yes, I reinstalled the OSD from the Dell website. Everytime I reformat I usually just download all the drivers from the website after typing in my service tag, to keep everything up to date.

 

Assuming you do have a M17xR1 and hoping to run windows 7, then you are trying to install the vista driver for the webcam as Dell did not release a Windows 7 version. Ensure you have OSD and command centre installed, it is probably best to install the latest graphics card driver from nvidia and not dell. I only ask this as when I start my machine, when I get to the login screen the display switches off very briefly and comes back on with the webcam working ready to recognise my face.

If possible could you add your system spec into your signiture so we can confirm what laptop you do have.

 

I don't really mind if I'm using Vista or 7, as long as the webcam works again. I did install the OSD and command center.

Intel T9600 Duo 2.8, 4 gig ram, GTX 260M/9400, 17 inch HD . 1440x900, 500g HDD

 

Reinstalling the Command Center did put my webcam in the device manager, but with a driver that did not work... facap something. Running the .exe from the dell website for the webcam still has the same error result, so I tried right clicking the webcam in the device manager and manually selecting the driver (automatic results show the facap driver as the best one) but when I click install, it works for a moment, then gives me a blue screen with a memory dump.

 

Are you under warranty, as I think a call to dell my be required. Could be something serious if you get BSOD installing a driver for a webcam, although i'm no super expert.

 

I'm no longer under warranty. I called Dell a few days ago, and they said I would either need to pay $139 for this one time troubleshooting, or $250 to renew my warranty.. either way, it'd be cheaper to buy a brand new HD webcam, hah.

 

Anyone else have any ideas? Any help will be greatly appreciated!