Has anyone had any luck finding a sure-fire fix for this problem?
I have a Dell XPS 15 L501x, running Windows 7-64 bit (came with the machine) since last January.
Up until recently, the webcam worked fine, except every once in awhile if I chose to bypass the Fast Access at startup the webcam wouldn't work. I'd have to reboot, wait for the Fast Access to do it's thing, and then it would work--thought this was just some stupid thing. Now, the webcam won't work at all...
I tried troubleshooting the webcam as per Dells Suggestion--did nothing. I tried plugging in my ipod while Webcam Central was open--did nothing. I tried downloading the Quanta driver--did nothing. I tried uninstalling/updating webcam central--did nothing.
When I open the device manager, the imaging devices tab shows Fast Access, but not the webcam. When I enabled the hidden devices as per a suggestion earlier in this thread I DO see the webcam, only it's grayed out, as if disconnected. There is, also a mysterious 'unknown device' showing under my USB Controllers, that no matter how many times I uninstall, always comes back--which I THINK is the webcam.
Any updates from anyone on this issue as I have been watching this thread for quite some time and have tried all the suggested fixes for the webcam and it still is a no go. Mine was working fine up until a Windows Update a couple of months ago. Ever since then my computer does not acknowledge that I even have a Dell integrated webcam.
This is without a doubt a driver issue--NOT A SOFTWARE ISSUE--BIG DIFFERENCE. Dell has yet to keep up with Windows 7 updates that no longer reckognize or support a driver that will work with the Webcam hardware they gave us. We are getting the full jam Dell so how about a fix?
An update on my problem: after remote diagnostics with dell, after they tried everything under the sun, they had someone come for in-home service and it turned out the webcam needed to be exchanged. So, if all else fails, it might just be a broken piece of equipment.
OR--it might be that they changed out your perfectly good integrated web cam with one that has a DRIVER that is supported by Windows 7 latest updates. The company that made that driver, Creative Labs is no longer supporting it so Dell was suppose to and obviously opted to just leave us out in the cold. If I go into my Device Manager, I can see that there is no driver loaded for the webcam and all of the previous drivers no longer work with the current version of Windows 7 as it has been updated.
I do not think Dell sold enough units out of warranty to justify developing a new driver. If you are under warranty, they tell you to send it in to them. That means they know they have to put new hardware in that Windows 7 updated will accept. Maybe we will see a class action against them. All I know is I will never buy a Dell again.
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
January 1st, 2012 10:00
Someone just posted this and it may or may not work.
http://community.skype.com/t5/Windows/Video-calls-crash-Skype-on-new-Dell/m-p/388467
Rick
rexelias
1 Message
0
January 9th, 2012 21:00
I am having Vostro 1014.
Reinstalled Windows 7 (retail). Installed all the drivers as per instructions.
Device Manager Displays Integrated WebCam under Imaging Devices.
But the device is not available for usage - GMail, Skype, MSN.
Installed WebCam Central - No Use - Blank Screen.
Reformatted the HD and installed Windows (8) Developer Preview.
Same Scenario as above.
BUT Camera works ONLY under Personal Profile Setup - Can take snapshot, Record Video.
Conclusion
1 - Nothing wrong with the DEVICE.
2. Definitely a DRIVER problem - which DELL must address.
Allthatsknown
3 Posts
0
January 15th, 2012 09:00
Has anyone had any luck finding a sure-fire fix for this problem?
I have a Dell XPS 15 L501x, running Windows 7-64 bit (came with the machine) since last January.
Up until recently, the webcam worked fine, except every once in awhile if I chose to bypass the Fast Access at startup the webcam wouldn't work. I'd have to reboot, wait for the Fast Access to do it's thing, and then it would work--thought this was just some stupid thing. Now, the webcam won't work at all...
I tried troubleshooting the webcam as per Dells Suggestion--did nothing. I tried plugging in my ipod while Webcam Central was open--did nothing. I tried downloading the Quanta driver--did nothing. I tried uninstalling/updating webcam central--did nothing.
When I open the device manager, the imaging devices tab shows Fast Access, but not the webcam. When I enabled the hidden devices as per a suggestion earlier in this thread I DO see the webcam, only it's grayed out, as if disconnected. There is, also a mysterious 'unknown device' showing under my USB Controllers, that no matter how many times I uninstall, always comes back--which I THINK is the webcam.
Allthatsknown
3 Posts
0
January 15th, 2012 09:00
...Continued from above...
I have the hardware under warranty but not the software (since I can normally troubleshoot software issues on my own).
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
usgrant21
34 Posts
0
January 15th, 2012 10:00
Any updates from anyone on this issue as I have been watching this thread for quite some time and have tried all the suggested fixes for the webcam and it still is a no go. Mine was working fine up until a Windows Update a couple of months ago. Ever since then my computer does not acknowledge that I even have a Dell integrated webcam.
Any more thoughts would be helpful.
Grant
usgrant21
34 Posts
0
January 15th, 2012 10:00
Any Updates to solving this webcam problem??
paujhn
1 Rookie
•
6 Posts
0
January 15th, 2012 11:00
Please am having problem with my webcam and am using Dell inspiron N4030
Please i need help and i have installed lots of webcam drives but still the same problem
Thanks
paujhn
1 Rookie
•
6 Posts
0
January 15th, 2012 11:00
Please am having problem with my webcam and am using Dell inspiron N4030
Please i need help and i have installed lots of webcam drives but still the same problem
Thanks
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
January 15th, 2012 14:00
What thread? You must reply to a thread to continue it, not make a new post.
fkhanbd
1 Message
0
January 27th, 2012 06:00
Hay Bro Can u Give me the Drive for Win 7 64bit of my Dell Inspiron 14 N4030 Web Cam Plz Mail Me If possible
usgrant21
34 Posts
0
January 30th, 2012 20:00
This is without a doubt a driver issue--NOT A SOFTWARE ISSUE--BIG DIFFERENCE. Dell has yet to keep up with Windows 7 updates that no longer reckognize or support a driver that will work with the Webcam hardware they gave us. We are getting the full jam Dell so how about a fix?
Allthatsknown
3 Posts
0
January 30th, 2012 21:00
An update on my problem: after remote diagnostics with dell, after they tried everything under the sun, they had someone come for in-home service and it turned out the webcam needed to be exchanged. So, if all else fails, it might just be a broken piece of equipment.
usgrant21
34 Posts
0
January 31st, 2012 06:00
OR--it might be that they changed out your perfectly good integrated web cam with one that has a DRIVER that is supported by Windows 7 latest updates. The company that made that driver, Creative Labs is no longer supporting it so Dell was suppose to and obviously opted to just leave us out in the cold. If I go into my Device Manager, I can see that there is no driver loaded for the webcam and all of the previous drivers no longer work with the current version of Windows 7 as it has been updated.
Ratrun
20 Posts
0
January 31st, 2012 07:00
How do we get Dell onboard to help us?
This has been going on for ages now and we have had no response yet alone action from Dell?
Do Dell monitor these threads?
What do we do to progress this issue?
Regards
usgrant21
34 Posts
0
January 31st, 2012 11:00
I do not think Dell sold enough units out of warranty to justify developing a new driver. If you are under warranty, they tell you to send it in to them. That means they know they have to put new hardware in that Windows 7 updated will accept. Maybe we will see a class action against them. All I know is I will never buy a Dell again.