Problems with Motion Eye Camera AR41M!

[monkeymuppet]

Hi,
I'm having problems using my Sony Motion Eye Camera as a webcam when using messenger. It keeps saying that the camera is being used by another program (which i'm sure it is'nt!). I have an VGN-AR41M, if this is a common problem why have'nt Sony done something about it?!
I'd appreciate any help/tips/advice anyone could give me!!

[Blencogo]

Hi monkeymuppet and welcome to Club Vaio.

The camera has been a bit of a problem since Vista was introduced.

The fix that used to work was: -

1. Make sure you have the latest versions of VAIO Camera Utility and the VAIO Camera Capture Utility.
2. Install Microsoft Hotfix KB931812

but there is some evidence that this is no longer working for recent Vaios. We on this forum have raised this issue with Sony Support and still await a response. Someone had some success by creating a new Administrator Account - the camera just started working on that new account only.

Does the camera work 'once only' when you first startup?
Have you made sure Skype is not starting automatically?

[monkeymuppet]

Hi,
Appreciate the reply. I've unistalled skpe as it's a program i don't use. However the problem still exists. The hotfix does'nt work as it says it's not for my model. It's very annoying if Sony know there is a problem but don'nt do anything about it!!
Any other ideas?
Cheers,
Monkeymuppet

[mike9586]

Hi,
Appreciate the reply. I've unistalled skpe as it's a program i don't use. However the problem still exists. The hotfix does'nt work as it says it's not for my model. It's very annoying if Sony know there is a problem but don'nt do anything about it!!
Any other ideas?
Cheers,
Monkeymuppet

Have you tried installing the Hotfix?

I had the exact same problem as you and the hotfix wasn't listed for my model either but I decided to risk installing it and it instantly fixed the problem, I can now switch between different programs without having any error messages about the camera.

[monkeymuppet]

Hi,
Appreciate the help, however i'm unable to run the hotfix as it keeps coming up with "this is not for my model" very frustrating!!
Anymore ideas? This is a real pain!!!

Thanks!!