G73JH-A2 Webcam Problems

Hey guys, just picked up a G73JH and the webcam has some issues...

Forum searched here and got the driver issue solved I think since the green light comes on now when a camera program is opened up.

Problem is the camera just shows a black screen instead of the camera seeing anything... can shine a flashlight directly into it and the screen stays completely black so don't think it's a light sensor since that normally still shows something with a flashlight shined into it...

Any idea on what the issue might be or is that an indication I just need to replace the webcam entirely?

 

What is the name of the imaging device in Device Manager?

What version driver is it currently running?

Does Device Manager indicate a problem with the camera (i.e. exclamation mark in a yellow circle)?

 

USB Video Device. It was showing up as UVC before I did some of the driver fixes now it's USB Video Device.

Driver: 6.1.7601.17514

No problem is indicated, has no problem indicated before I switched drivers either but the green light never came on when it was recognized as UVC now that it's USB Video Device the green light comes on but there's no picture.

 

What software are you using to test the webcam?

If you install Skype and configure the video, does it work?

If you wiggle the lid or press firmly around the webcam, does it change behavior? If so, that would indicate a hardware issue.

When you talk about switching drivers and how the webcam was recognized as a different device, I wonder if corrupt driver remnants from previous driver installations are causing a problem. If that is the case, I would boot into Safe Mode and use Driver Sweeper to uninstall any remnants of the UVC driver, and possibly run CCleaner to clean up the registry. I would then uninstall the current Microsoft driver and REBOOT to allow Windows to replace it.

 

LifeFrame and the Smart Logon program.

No idea... never used skype.

No change in behavior...

If I completely uninstall the webcam and let it reinstall itself or use Asus drivers then it shows up as "USB 2.0 2.0M UVC Webcam" and whenever I try to use it it says it's in use by another program and the green light never comes on. If I install it with microsoft drivers then it shows up as USB Video Device and the programs say it's working and the green light comes on but there's no video.

 

To confirm if it's hardware or not, run the install for Ubuntu 12.04. It has built in drivers for the camera and the camera works during the installation (to take your user account picture). This will confirm 100% if it's hardware or not. If you still get a black screen, likely the image processor is busted.

 

Awesome thanks, I'll have to download Ubuntu I haven't used it since version 10.0 something.

 

Have you tried checking to see that the webcam has not been disabled under Device Manager?

 

May need more help with webcam in the future, currently have to get it unbricked somewhere. Did a bios update and it bricked the laptop. Apparently a common problem with asus bios updates even when done correctly... first laptop I've had that it's an issue.

 

It's the Ezflash . I always flash using Aflash2 that's stored on my usb stick.

 

I did it off a fat32 usb bootable with aflash2, still bricked. Reading up on it it seems hit or miss regardless of how you do it but usb bootable is the suggested method for the highest chance of success. Unfortunately I needed the laptop for a 16 day trip so I ended up just buying a second one and swapping the hdds I had already fresh installed the os and transferred all my stuff onto into it same hardware so windows is none the wiser. Will now have one to re-sell when I get back from my trip and get it fixed though...