Windows 7 64-bit Webcam Drivers for dv5t-1000 [ Edited ]

[NotBuggy]

I have to say, the dv5t has been rock solid and performs admirably for the 3+ years that I've had it.  In terms of operation it is nearly perfect.

Here's my problem.  I upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate 64.  Everything works except for the webcam.  It is not detected as an unknown device.  To the OS, it appears that it just doesn't exist.

Here's what I have tried:

Installing all the drivers for 32 bit and 64 bit Vista and Win 7 that could possibly related to the webcam to include various iterations of "HP MediaSmart Webcam Software" current, past and old versions for all the related dv5t models.  The software will not install due to no detected webcam.   I did get version 2.2 to install and it runs but you can't do anything due to no webcam being detected.

Then, I went to the Intel website to ensure I had the most current chipset offered.  According to Intel, everything was valid or current except my wired NIC.  I updated that.  Still, to no avail.

I have done numerous hardware scans and still no detection of webcam.  I have all the latest patches from Microsoft and HP where applicable.

I tried to look up the actual manufacturer to the webcam for a model number and work backwards from there, but I was unable to find any info on that.

Contacting customer support didn't yeild any results. (they have been great in the past, btw)

I tried seaching in the HP forums and across the internet.  In the forums there are others that do and don't have the same problem but it wasn't clear which flavor of dv5t they had.  I tried the solutions offered in the forum but still nothing.  The internet didn't get results on this issue either.

The webcam did work with Vista Home 32, the OS that orginally shipped with the laptop and i have tried those drivers too.

If I had to guess the is just some disparity between the OS, webcam or motherboard.

Please, if you have a solution, post and share the wealth.

Really, I am satisfied with the dv5t as it's the only model of that type at the time to offer a 16 x 9 screen (all others were 13 x 8 and WOW what a difference).

Anything definitive to resolve this would be great.

Thank you in advance for your time on this.

[Mumbodog]

It does not show up in Device Manager at all?

[NotBuggy]

Not at all.  Not under "unknown" or under any other category.  I read a rumor that this is a usb device and checked the USB category but nothing under there related to a webcam.  And i have searched every line in the device manager to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

[Mumbodog]

In device manager tick Show hidden devices, under view on the toolbar.

If DM cannot see it you cannot install a driver, not sure why that hardware will not get detected.

[NotBuggy]

Thank you so much, going to try this in a little bit.  I will post my results here.

[NotBuggy]

I checked for hidden devices under the Device Manager and the webcam is not listed anywhere.  Don't know where else to look or why there is a difference in detection from Vista 32 bit to Windows 7 64 bit.

Again, thank you for your time and suggestion.

[NotBuggy]

As an afterthought, I wonder if it would be possible for HP to post the manufacturer of the actual webcam?  That way I could search the OEM for the webcam itself.  I am guessing this is probably integrated into the monitor itself, so maybe there isn't a specific driver just for the webcam.  Maybe there is a driver for the monitor that somehow integrates the monitor and provides connectivity to the webcam.

So if it is possible, maybe HP could provide the manufacturer for the monitor itself.  I will investigate my monitor in the Device Manager.  Could be a chance that the generic monitor drivers do not incorporate the webcam and this causes the Device Manager to not see the webcam.

I will check this out and continue to check for updates on this thread.

Thank you in advance for any help with this issue.

[NotBuggy]

I just tried installing the listed graphics driver for the the dv5t-1000 as it provides improved connectivity withHP's Media Tools.  This didn't resolve the issue.  I will update to the latest or roll back this driver.

I suspect there is a monitor driver that is inclusive of the webcam.

[Mumbodog]

Webcam driver is physically part of the monitor but is a separate piece of hardware.

[NotBuggy]

I agree.

Because the webcam is part of the monitor, I am wondering if the webcam driver got integrated with the monitor.

Don't read the following text in this post.  It's just random thoughts on the process.

i am guessing HP ordered monitors with and without webcams in the panel from the OEM and in production they grabbed the monitor/chassis with the right resolution and webcam option required for the build. 

In the past, when I had to place service calls with other vendors for replacement monitors for laptops it was a single unit with all the dangly bits and connectors hanging.  In some cases the webcam was integrated in the single molded connector and sometimes it was a separate labeled wire/connector.  Of course it would come this way, it's a replacement.

Other random thoughts.  I would think webcam would be USB.  And USB is pretty loud about there being a new USB device with a popup and such.  So I checked through that on the Device Manager and the Non-Plug-and-Play drivers showing hidden devices (thanks Mumbodog).  But nothing definitive.

The only reason why I keep digging for a specific driver is because this would not be the first time I installed hardware and the OS didn't detect it until after I manually installed drivers and the OS recognized the device normally thereafter.

Yes, I have beaten this dead horse.