TrueVision HD camera switched to spca2082 and is no longer showing image

[Fujicakes]

Model: HP Pavilion m6-1045dx

OS: Windows 7

So a couple of days ago my camera suddenly doesn't work. I suspect it's because of a recent windows update (it said it set up the spca2082 camera and a usb camera). My camera, which used to show as TrueVision HD on both Youcam and Skype, is now showing as spca2082, and all I get is a black loading screen. I've tried system restore, but because the update is automatic, me setting it as choosing which updates to allow hasn't been possible (unless someone can tell me if it is). 

The closest I could find to a solution in this forum was this, but I thought I'd ask anyway in case the answer is different since I have a different model. As you can see, I'm not super tech-savvy. 

Any help would be appreciated, please.

[Dragon-Fur]

Fujicakes,

That was my answer to the other post -- I did not hear back from the user so there is not way to know the outcome from the Power Reset.  Note that in that user's own notes, that the instructions in the link do call for just such a reset to clear the drivers -- again, it was not successful or the user did not report the details for other reasons.

The Power Reset is a good general fix for all notebook models and works for a variety of ills.   A Power Reset will not cure everything. 

The Power Reset cannot tell the difference between drivers - it does not analyse a driver before applying it.

EXAMPLE:

• If the driver on disk is the wrong driver before the Reset, it is still the wrong driver after the Reset.
• If the driver INSTRUCTIONS are tangled, messed up, or missing, then the Reset may fix the problem.

Notebooks- Power Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues- Sealed Non-Removable Battery

OR

Notebooks - Power Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues - Removable Battery

Why a Power Reset works to fix some issues: 

The Power Reset does not install anything on your computer, it does not remove anything from your computer, and the Reset does not "change" anything on your computer.  Your data and programs remain as they were before the reset was applied.  The Reset drains out the old instructions and makes the computer go to the Operating System on disk to get new instructions.

Why a Power Reset might Not Work:

If the issue is more than just entanglement, if the "good instructions" on the computer are not good enough -- that is, you need an update, a new driver, or there is a problem that cannot be "untangled", then the Reset will not work.

If there is a hardware problem the Power Reset will not work.

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You might try the following:

Out of curiosity, if nothing else - you might try looking at the Event Viewer to see if it knows what happened.

Control Panel > Device Manager > Imaging Devices >

Right Click on your now-named "spca2082" camera device >

Click on Tab "Events" > Click on "View All Events"

This will open the Event Viewer.  What will you learn from it?  Frankly, what you learn depends on how well you can deciper what is in the report.  The Event Viewer is a wonderful tool and its use is a mystery to most mortals.  It is convoluted, written in cipher, and dedicated to confusion.  Nonetheless, it can tell you volumes if you can but unravel the meaning within.

In other words, what happened to the camera is no doubt documented "somewhere" in the system logs.  How important it becomes to find the information depends on how difficult it is to reclaim the use of your webcam.

=====================================================================================

Something more practical to try:

• Download and do not yet install:

sp59986 Cyberlink YouCam V3.5.5.5811

• Unintall the existing driver:

Control Panel > Device Manager > Imaging Devices >

Right Click on your now-named "spca2082" camera device >

Uninstall > AND tick to DELETE the driver

• Reboot / Restart the computer and log in

• Install the downloaded Cyberlink driver

• Reboot / Restart the computer and log in

=====================================================================================

Good Luck!

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[benbrigman]

I was having the same problem and I did a power reset and it temporarilly solved the problem. It is almost like the spca2082 driver is a device to hack into the web cam...I don't know about that

[nholloway2007]

So, I am experiencing the same problem. The power reset only solves the issue temporarily. Also, if I move the lid on my HP Envy m4-1510dx, sometimes it will cause the camera to cut off.  I have watched it in device manager. It will begin as HP Truevision HD, and when the camera goes out, the driver under Imaging Devices is SPCA2082. Has no one come up with a permanent fix for this?

[Dragon-Fur]

nholloway2007,

Sounds like your webcam is suffering from a hardware problem.

The tiny wire assembly used to connect the webcam camera through the hinge area is quite delicate.  Any time after the notebook leaves the manufacturer, and this means any time after the notebook passes final inspection, the wires can be broken, crushed, or come loose.  It may never happen - I have notebooks that are years (YEARS) old in which the webcam works fine.  I purchased a new high-end performance notebook in which the webcam wires were broken when I opened the box.  Of course, I didn't KNOW the wires were broken; the webcam simply did not work no matter what I did -- that unit I sent in for repair and all has been OK since.

If the webcam fails when you close the lid, you might consider either sending in the notebook or attempting a repair yourself.  Whether or not the notebook is under warranty, you can call HP.  The repair, either by HP or your local reputable repair shop is not prohibitively expensive.  (Easy fix.)

Worldwide Support Portal

[nholloway2007]

Would a hardware problem cause the drivers to change?

[SuperMario1]

Hello nholloway2007. Any hardware problem does not cause your drivers to change. Have a great day!

Mario

[Dragon-Fur]

nholloway,

This may be some sort of Universal Webcam driver.

Can you get the Hardware IDs from the listing in your Device Manager?

Device Manager > click on / open Imaging Devices > Right-click on the spca device >

Properties > Details >

Under "Property" drop down menu > select Hardware Ids

The number shown should start with USB\VID_

================================================================================

Commentary

 I am thinking the "change" came from a recent program installation -- yes, a Windows Update might have done it, although I cannot find any direct evidence that Windows is pushing anything of this exact type.  My search methods may be at fault, of course.

If you have already tried using System Restore to take the system "back in time" to before this happened, then it is possible that the registry cannot recover OR that the setting is being reapplied -- again, perhaps by a user installed program.  I have little evidence for this except that that a Hard Reset did (for at least one person) did temporarily resolve the issue.

Restoring Windows to a Previous Point (Windows 7)

While the hardware issue (losing webcam when closing the lid) may not change drivers, it may disconnect the driver you do want -- if there is anything else on the system (universal or "other" controller for the webcam), then the issue may now be twofold:  You cannot control the driver and the system cannot reliably control the hardware connection to the device.

All speculation, of course, as I cannot duplicate the error on any of my notebooks.

[nholloway2007]

When Imaging Devices displays "HP Truevision HD," the Hardware ID for the camera is as follows: 

USB\VID_1BCF&PID_2C0E&REV_0719&MI_00

USB\VID_1BCF&PID_2C0E&MI_00

When it changes to SPCA2082, I will make note of the Hardware ID at that point.

If this gives you any information, thank you very much 😄

EDIT: Here are the Hardware IDs when the driver changes to SPCA2082:

USB\VID_1BCF&PID_2082&REV_0100&MI_00

USB\VID_1BCF&PID_2082&MI_00

[Dragon-Fur]

OK - no universal driver.  I did not know such a thing would get on the system without you knowing it anyway.  There are such and they run on Probooks and other business systems.  Nothing that I found, however, supports your particular hardware.  My search methods could be faulty.

===========================================================================================

The Webcam is a composite device; the HP Truevision Webcam driver is dependent on drivers in the system.   The USB Composite Device (listed in your Device Manager under Universal Serial Bus Controllers) supports the Webcam.

If the USB Composite Device driver is corrupted or out of date, then the Webcam driver may suffer consequences.

You might try

Open "USB Composite Device" >  Right-Click and Update driver

Open "Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller" > Right-Click and Update driver

NOTE:

Alternatively, you can Open the device > Right-Click > Properties > Driver > Select Update

Next,

Download and do not yet install: 

sp59986 Cyberlink YouCam

Open your Device Manager > Imaging Devices > Right-click on your Webcam driver > Uninstall AND tick the box to DELETE the driver

Perform the Hard Reset , boot the computer, and log in

Install the Cyberlink Driver >>

RESTART the computer and log in.

Check the device

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If that does not work, then you might try installing (from your computer's website) the "Essential System Updates" package.

HP Pavilion m6-1045dx Entertainment Notebook PC support

Operating System - Enhancements and QFEs

Essential System Updates

I am speculating about this part - I do not have a full list of what is contained within the package nor do I have a clear indication if what I seek is included in the patch.

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Warning:  You should have your backups up-to-date AND have a Restore Point set prior to making these changes to your computer.

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