M17xR3 "No supported webcam connected", *need Clean Install Help Please*

I'm at a complete loss here people. This is my first Alienware laptop and my first laptop with an integrated webcam for that matter.


I do not have facial recognition. I used the camera a day or two after receiving my laptop, just took one goofy picture, worked fine.

I tried to opening it last night through the Start menu>Integrated Webcam> Live! Central. I have killed it through the task manager, disabled auto-start, and checked the registry. The program will open but at the bottom of the program window it just says "No supported webcam connected". The camera does not show up in the device manager, which seems odd to me.

I have gone through as many threads as I can looking for a solution to try and avoid making an entirely new thread but I have had no luck whatsoever. I have tried Dell's website, Creative, and god knows where else. My service tag is not recognized at Dell which is a whole other topic I will deal with after the weekend.

Any and ALL help would be greatly appreciated, I'm loving the computer and this is my only issue thus far. Thanks everybody.

 

Anybody? Bump

 

have you tried toggling the camera on and off with the keyboard sequence? Its [FN] + (the button top row with camera.)

I had accidentally turned mine off one trying to hit another function key sequence.

 

Follow what he said about FN + F9. I just had the same problem and went away went I pressed the cam button...thank god!

 

God I swear if that works I'm going to beat my own . Unfortunately I won't be able to try it until I get back up and running. I'm currently having some serious problems due to a fresh install of windows 7. I used Respawn to make a backup usb, not I'm just trying to get it to boot. And even better, I can't install windows7 while running in Raid0 so I had to switch to AHCI to reinstall win7. So even if I manage to get everything back up and running like new...I'll still be stuck in AHCI, can't find a solution for that yet.

BUT ANYWAYS...Hopefully the camera will fix itself and I really appreciate the info guys.

 

I don't know the guy, but the user on here name "BatBoy" is a damn life saver, his posts just saved me so much hassle. I should be able to get everything reinstalled and not feel like such and idiot.

 

rk, thanks for the kind words, I do try to help out where I can.

If you need to reinstall the Creative Webcam software, I believe you'll find it here for download (you'll need to log in with your Dell info):

https://smartsource.dell.com/

What happened with your AlienRespawn?? Were you not able to boot up with the recovery media? Shoot me a PM if you want and I'll try to assist you further.

 

Based on your message, from what I recall of the 17xR3 BIOS, the default setting is RAID (even though you may have a single drive). I'm sure one of our R3 owners can confirm and walk you through the process of booting up with the Windows disc to start a clean install but I believe its ok to leave the BIOS alone (defaults).

Is there an error message being displayed when attempting to boot with the windows disc?

Give it a bit of time and the community will get you up and running...

 

Running a single drive.
Default setting is Raid, unable to install Win7.

 

See this thread (doesn't matter that you are not using an SSD - just look at what he suggests in terms of starting the windows install process from step#2) -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...install-ssd-instructions-recommendations.html

As long as you have that alienrespawn rescue media created, dont fear anything.

I'm out for a bit so others will have to pick up and chime in... hang in there. You'll be up and running soon...

 

ALRIGHT, just attempted install running RAID. It got all the way to the final stage and then I got the error:
"Windows Setup could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware."

I currently have the computer wiped clean right now. A different said to Install the RAID drivers, during Win7 Install, I asked them how to go about doing that so hopefully I can get
I'm not sure if this question has already been answered but sorry I'm a newbie. How would I go about installing the RAID drivers during Win7 install? If I could get the instructions for that I think that would solve my problems.

 

I have not tried this myself, as I don't run RAID on my laptop, but I believe the issue you are experiencing is due to the fact that one of the SATA ports for the HDDs are SATA II and the other is SATA III.

I don't think you need to install seperate drivers. Just make sure it is enabled in the BIOS, and make sure to set both those drives into an Array, which should combine your total GB of HDD space into one (ex. 2x 750GB HDDs should show up as 1.5TB or so as a single drive).

If it is the RAID drivers, you should be able to install them prior to installing Windows. It should be the JMicron driver I believe. Dells site is really slow so I can't link it at the moment.

 

Running single HDD anyways. I got the instructions from another thread on installing drivers during Win7 install. I really appreciate the advice though buddy.

 

i just did a clean install and i had a problem that didn't get resolved for 2 days but was able to get it done..i will go over it through memory
1.for a clean install put the windows CD in and when its starting press f 12 until boot options screen comes out

2.select CD/DVD

3. Once you get to the Where to install windows with all the partitions(right after the language) click on advance and delete each partition and install.

** this is where i had a problem so if u have this try it, my computer said (paraphrasing) the OS was not compatible with my hardware at the very end of installation.
**i downloaded "intel rapid storage technology driver" (from a alternate computer on Welcome to Dell Technical Support)
**put it on a USB, you must unzip the file or it wont read it.
**put the usb in ur comp. at the partitions window, after deleting everything, click format on the advance button for your primary partition, than load drivers and unclick the hide drivers check button and download the first and last one. than just click next.

4. after you have installed windows again just call alienware and ask for the "Drive Team" they may give u an appointment but call them if there is no call back because i waited all night when they said theyd call at 2. they will connect to your computer (u will need your resource cd to get the internet driver) and set everything up for you. takes about an hour and a half but sit back and relax lol