Vaio VGN-SZ5VWN/X web cam no longer working (and noisy fan)!

[anonimau5]

Hi All,

This is my first post to see if I can get help with the above. I gave up (finally) on using Vista Business... truly awful... and down/up graded to XP Pro. I followed the process as outlined on this site installing drivers and utilities - everything - in the order that was recommended. Now I have a fine machine but the one thing that doesn't appear to work is the built in web cam. Using the Vaio Camera Utility reports "that an unknown error occurred" and launching Skype the camera isn't detected. Anyone got any clues?

On an unrelated note. After loyal service I 'bumped' the corner of the laptop where the fan is situated and it's now whirring very noticeably at varying levels. I've blown air through and even careful vacuumed the intake and exhaust ports with no luck. Is this a new fan job? If so anyone got any clues as to a replacement model? I've noticed that this is a common fault through various forums on the web.

Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Blencogo]

Hi anonimau5 and welcome.

For the camera, check if it correctly installed in Device Manager -> Imaging Devices. If it is not there then check to see if you have an 'unknown USB Camera' somewhere else in Device Manager. If this is the case you may need to reinstall the driver (Attached to the bottom of this post.

For the fan you should hope that something else is vibrating in sympathy because removal and replacement of the fan is particularly difficult for the SZ-Series Vaios. You can take the bottom panel off and check the Heatsink is not vibrating and get to see a bit more of the fan. To get at the fan proper is best avoided if you can because you virtually have to take the whole machine apart.

[anonimau5]

Dear Blencogo,

Thank you for your kind welcome to the 'club' and the advice.

I followed your advice as directed and have the following to report:

Going to the device manager > imaging device shows a USB video device. Clicking on properties > general reports the device at location 0 and enabled and the status as the video device is working properly. Using the troubleshooting button does nothing (it isn't connected to a port). Using the driver tab reports the driver is;

Provided by Microsoft
Driver date - 01/07-2001
Driver version - 5.1.2600.2180

Using the update driver button reports that it cannot continue the update wizard and that it could not find a better match for my hardware.

I should point out that before the down/upgrade to XP the camera worked fine in Vista.

As for the fan, I think that I'll try the easy option and do what you recommend first. I actually have the PDF that your supplied image came from so if I really do need to take apart I am fully prepared! It looks daunting but do-able!

[Blencogo]

Hi ananimou5.

You will have to force the camera to install with the Sony driver.

Download the driver from my last pot (9_Camera.zip)

In Device Manager, right-click on the Unknown Camera Device and choose 'Update Driver'.
Choose 'No, not this time' -> 'Install from List or Specific Location' -> 'Don't Search, I will choose a driver to install' -> 'Have Disc' and browse to the downloaded driver folder and point at the .INF file (\\ 9Camera\R5U870FL.INF).

[anonimau5]

Hi Blencogo!

Outstanding! Thank you for all your help and efforts! Skype is working like a dream. I noticed throughout the forum the mention of utilities to enable capture of images/video. Are there any versions available for XP based systems such as mine?

There is a Vaio Camera Utility folder in C > Program files but VCUSet reports an unknown error occured (although I don't think that this is the application). This is where my lack of knowledge lets me down. Any more help would be greatly appreciated but don't worry if not... I'm happy that Skype works! Going to try Messenger next!

Once again... many thanks for your efforts, they are very much appreciated.

Regards,

Mark

[Nazitf]

I have an SZ4 and my fan has started to get a bit noisy. Probably one of the bearings in it. How can I contact VAIO to get a quote for its replacement?

[anonimau5]

Hi Nazitf,

My Vaio SZ5 is well out of warranty so I haven't made any attempt to contact Sony for any help. If I were you I'd create a new forum thread and hope that someone picks up on it. Sorry I can't be of any further help!

[Blencogo]

Hi Mark,

On XP Systems it was the Vaio Camera Utility that was used to capture images. I believe it used to appear in 'My Computer' and the camera window could be opened by double-clicking there.

It may be worth checking that you have the XP Version of this Utility and try reinstalling it. Have a look in Version.txt in the directory - the XP Version is 1.0.00.12270. I also think that this utility needs to be added to the Startup programs group to run automatically at boot.

Things were different with Vista where the Vaio Camera Utility was slimmed down and a new Vaio Camera Capture Utility was added but this will not work on a XP System.

[anonimau5]

Hi Blencogo,

Once again many thanks for your help and advice!

I'll check the version (it certainly doesn't appear in "My Computer" or the start menu) but I think that I am confusing the abilities of the Vista version with that of XP or vice versa.

To be honest I am very happy that I can now use Skype and that anything else in terms of functionality is an added bonus!

Thank you again for your time, efforts and patience!

Best Regards,

Mark