topic Re: Built in Webcam wont start in PCs & Accessories

Built in Webcam wont start

dnosoluk — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:32:08 GMT

Hi I just purchased a vaio vgn fz18m with built in motion eye cam. The only way I can get it to work with MSN etc is to disable the driver, reboot then re-enable the driver. Is there any long term fix for this as restarting each time i wanna cam is a pain. All I get normally is the error "cant start as camera is in use with another application"

any help/advise very much appreciated
thanks Dno

Re: Built in Webcam wont start

Blencogo — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:48:39 GMT

Hi dnosoluk and welcome.

This is a long standing problem with Vista. We have reported it to Sony but are still waiting for a solution.

There is a solution which is to disable Vista’s 'User Account Control' – you know the thing that keeps popping up annoying messages saying “Are you sure you really want to open that program”.

However, this may make your Vaio less secure so try these two things first which do work for some users: -

1. Install Microsoft Hotfix KB931812 which is specifically for this problem. However, it will not install on everyone's vaio

2. The camera appears to work 'once per session' and will work with only the first application opened. You should be able to re-boot and use another application - but check Skype does not open automatically at startup and grab the camera.

If these don’t fix it the only solution I know of is to disable Vista’s UAC. I should point out that UAC is a security feature incorporated into Vista and disabling this may make your Vaio less secure. This has to be your choice but it will probably fix the camera!

To disable User Account Control: -

Press the Windows key on the left of your keyboard and press R

Type in the command
MSCONFIG
and press OK -> Continue.

Open the Tab “Tools” and scroll down to ‘Disable UAC’ and click Launch. At the black screen, click OK and restart your Vaio.

Re: Built in Webcam wont start

dnosoluk — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 08:28:46 GMT

Hi many thanks for your help. I have requested the hotfix and will see how it works after then. All the best Dno

Re: Built in Webcam wont start

Thalamus. — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:52:52 GMT

Hi many thanks for your help. I have requested the hotfix and will see how it works after then. All the best Dno

Hi dnosoluk

I've attached Microsoft Hotfix KB931812 file below..

Re: Built in Webcam wont start

dnosoluk — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:34:22 GMT

Hi thanks but i got the hotfix from msoft, installed correctly and still getting the same problem 😞 Maybe will have to go the more unsecure route. thanks again though

Re: Built in Webcam wont start

dnosoluk — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:57:35 GMT

Hi ok it seems to be working but only when I disable Vista’s UAC which is a shame. Hope Sony get this worked out soon. Cheers Dno