Z11: Webcam died?

Hey.

For whatever reason, my webcam died. Have no idea why, haven't used it for a while and haven't installed any drivers for it or updated or similar.

When trying to access it, there is no error reported. I get the green led next to the camera light up, but only a black screen from the cam.

Anyone have any ideas?
Am I the only one with this problem?

 

I've read through the ENTIRE Vaio Z owner's thread and i've not seen anyone report a problem with the web cam going out on them. I use mine almost every night and i haven't got a problem. Maybe you should try reinstalling the drivers? Also what program did you use to access the camera? Did you try using different programs?

 

Me also, searched for any similar probs, but nothing.

Tried both Skype and the ArcSoft webcam program that was bundled.... same results.

Hmm, having difficulties finding drivers for the cam.

 

i am not sure why sony put a weakass camera in the Vaio Z. you would have thought they would upgrade it to at least 3 MP by now. sony have been churning out many generations of Z.

i rather have no camera then a pity 0.3 MP. 0.3 MP might have been amazing in 2003 but not by today's standards.

and i am suprirsed sony doesn't use their camera capture utility anymore and opt to use Arcsoft's web camera companion.

 

uninstall the arcsoft and try older version of cyberlink youcam...

 

Have you found a fix for this as i seem to have the same problem with my f11????

 

The webcam in my VGN-Z690 died for some reason as well, unfortunately it was a hardware failure - a certain cable got loose, had to go to Sony repair center, got it fixed. If no drivers work, even not after a complete clean install of any operating system (Windows 7 I assume), the hardware issue is most possible option left
...and as pyr0 stated, if there's no sign of the webcam in the device manager, oh boy...
Good luck

 

Does the Webcam show up in the device manager without problems? Can you see into the lens?

 

There is a design defect the way cable run through hinges. If you open and closes LCD 4~6 times a day, camera cable will be the first to fail after a year. It happened to both Z I owned in history.

If driver update failed and u r out of warranty. Just take off the keyboard and hinge covers, try to wiggle the cable a bit. Make sure it not caught during movement.

 

Since the cable is max 4 lines, it should be easy to repair.