Help with webcam. 4530s

[BeaversFtw]

Hey, when I go into device manager, it shows that my "HP HD Webcam [fixed]" has no drivers installed. So to try to fix it, I went to the drivers page for the 4530s, went to Arcsoft, and I downloaded it. Then, I ran it. I uninstalled it, then ran it again and tried reinstalling it. When I tried to reinstall it, it said "This computer does not have any HP compatible hardware." What do I do?

[ManjunathTech]

Hi

You have a couple of options as I see it please click on the weblink given below might help you to resolve your issue on your unit.

Fixing Webcam Problems in Windows

Let us know how it goes!

*Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.

****Click the White Kudos star to say thanks****

****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****

Regards

Manjunath

[Dragon-Fur]

Beavers,

Welcome to the Forum!

It is unclear to me what you mean by HP HD Webcam [fixed].  Do you refer to the builtin webcam?

You did not state your OS.

• At least some of the 4530s do come with a builtin webcam.
• If one searches a bit then there is "ArcSoft Companion 3" software that is available for Windows 7 32bit and XP.
• There are two versions of the patch that I found with a preliminary search, there may be others.

ArcSoft Webcam sp49049 V3.0.6.355-A - netbooks and notebooks

ArcSoft Webcam sp53106 V3.2.3.132 -  netbooks ONLY (Mini dm1-4s)

After you have gone through the suggestions from the Post from ManjunathTech, you might try a computer Reset.  It is unlikely to affect this particluar situation unless the error is due to a "mixup" and a mangling of the Device Manager's setup connection with the webcam.  Nonetheless, it may be worth the couple of minutes it takes to complete - Reset does sometimes work on "I Can't See You" problems.

Hard Reset:

Sometimes all you need to do is kick the computer.  This method works for a variety of connection and ‘stuck’ program issues.

• Disconnect all external devices first.
• Remove AC power and the battery
• Press and hold power button for at least 30 seconds
• Reinstall only AC power for first startup ** See Note
• Power on - Log in
• Next time you shut down the system, reinstall battery.

** Note:  If time is short, reinstall battery the first time and be done with it.

Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues

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Remember:  The more information you provide, the better help you receive.

Always Include:  (Notebook) Product Number , Printers – Model Number ,

                   Operating System, and an Error Description

                        Never give out your Serial Number

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                           2012 Year of the Dragon!

[BeaversFtw]

I don't know where to go... This is confusing. Sorry I am so dumb... 😛

[BeaversFtw]

Yes, I am referring to the built-in webcam on my 4530s. And I am using Windows 7. I will be trying these in a minute.

[Dragon-Fur]

Hi Beaver.

No worries.

Finding Software is hard to do sometimes... Doing anything with a computer is difficult sometimes.

You'll be fine.

OK... I am removing the "netbook" patch. You do not want to use it.

I was not sure what you are doing or where you are getting your software... I was wondering if you are trying to load that netbook patch and would say, "Oh, that is what I was doing.  No wonder it didn't work."

Do try all the different steps in the Post from ManjunathTech .  Take a look at the document and make sure you are familiar with what is there and what options are available.

The webcam may be stubborn, stubborn.  The fix I told you about may or may not work.  These things (webcams) are sometimes not easy to fix.

IMO:

Do not give up easily, but when it comes down to it, do not lose sleep over it.  If all fails and the silly thing won't work - go buy a decent Logitech 9000 and connect to your notebook.  It is an awesome webcam, it works, and you won't go crazy.  Or, call HP if you have a warranty.  Or, if you are brave, fix the thing.  Depends on what you know, who you know, how much you want to spend, and how much time you are willing to spend on it.  It's a webcam.

Good Luck!

Let me know how you fare...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Experts work hard to help!

Click the Kudos Star on the Left as "Thanks for the Help!"

Mark this Post “Accept as Solution” to accept a Fix or Workaround to an issue!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: You can find “Accept as Solution” boxes on Subjects started by you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember:  The more information you provide, the better help you receive.

Always Include:  (Notebook) Product Number , Printers – Model Number ,

                   Operating System, and an Error Description

                        Never give out your Serial Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           2012 Year of the Dragon!

[BeaversFtw]

Okay, I installed that notebooks and netbooks patch and it gave me a folder on my desktop named "Photos" and it also gave me Webcam Companion. I also have "ManyCam" on my laptop from before this happened. That is the only thing I can use now. I don't want to use that. I just want to use a regular camera like I used to. But there isn't a regular camera listed. The only thing there is ManyCam. What do I do now?

[BeaversFtw]

Oh, and when I go to select a webcam source or whatever on Skype, to test it, my laptop's webcam isn't even listed. It is just two many cam sources. And when I click on a manycam source they don't even work because I don't have an actual webcam, because, my webcam has no drivers installed.

[Dragon-Fur]

Beavers,

The WebCam Companion is the ArcSoft Software for the Webcam.  It appears it did install.  If you call up the WebCam Companion and that works, then you have the drivers installed, too.

I do not know why the software installed but you do not have connection to your webcam for Skype.

I will see if I can find something more on this.  I have different software so cannot test or check on my own systems. 

[BeaversFtw]

I HAVE FIXED IT! I have no idea what I did, but when I went to video sources, the HP Webcam was just sitting there waiting for me to see it! Thanks for your help anyways! 😄