USB camera install/uninstall=BSOD

Hi All: I am really baffled (as usual) by this one.

I have a Creative web cam, Web Cam Pro, Model: PD1030. It has been installed for a couple of years and the Creative program, "PC Cam Center" that came with it has always worked.

I was having trouble with "Paper Port ", a software program for my Visoneer scanner.

I followed Visoneer's web instructions for curing the scanner problems by uninstalling and re-installing Paper Port.

A part of those instructions are to go to Device Manager, View Hidden Files, "Imaging Devices ", and uninstall all USB imaging devices listed, hidden and unhidden.

Along with the Visoneer scanner, (5 entries) there were numerous hidden/unhidden entries including "Creative Web Cam Pro" as well as hidden listings for hardware I hadn't had installed for some time. Uninstalled them all.

After following those instructions and re-installing Paper Port and scanner drivers, the scanner works as advertised.

The next step was to reinstall the web cam.

Using the original "Creative Web Cam Pro" CD, I reinstalled the web cam software and drivers per installation instructions, before connecting the camera to a USB port.

Then plugged in the web cam and instantly got a BSOD. Restarted with cam plugged in, Windows Splash Screen, BSOD.

These results are easily repeated anytime camera plugged in.

Un-plug camera, XP boots. Go to device manager to look for yellow ?. None of course, no camera plugged in.

View hidden imaging devices, see new entry as a hidden device:

"Dual Mode USB Camera Plus"

No Idea what it is, where it came from, never saw this entry before. It was not in there just prior to Paper Port install. So I figure to uninstall it.

Right click and click "uninstall ". Instant BSOD.

AARRRGH!!!

Restart, go to view-hidden imaging devices, "Dual Mode USB Camera Plus ", go to driver details. 30+ drivers listed for this item. 1 from Creative, some from OmniVision, a couple from Texas Instruments, a bunch unknown, some from MSFT.

Restart in Safe Mode, go back to device manager hidden entry for "Dual Mode USB Camera Plus" try to uninstall. Get message: the device is part of OS and cannot be uninstalled.

Download updated drivers for cam from Creative. Site says version 1.03.xx, so does file name. Try to install drivers, along with other error messages, XP says drivers are 1.02.xx, same as loaded, "install will not continue "

Normally to fix a problem like this, I would do an image restore, but if I do that, I'll loose the Visoneer/Paper Port fix and have to do it over with the same results?

Anybody in here have any ideas?? Like how to get rid of this non existent web cam and it's 30 + drivers? Think that would cure the problem? Other solutions??

Any and all replies will be greatly appreciated.

Take care,

Martin

 

Hi Martin, trust things are going well.

I would suggest to try uninstalling in Safe Mode. The "Dual Mode USB Camera Plus" may be appearing because Windows is misreading the plug and play information, it knows that it is a webcam, but it has installed the wrong drivers.

Uninstall any webcam software in Add/Remove programs as well. If you run software installation again later, see if there may be a stage where , say, the wrong model has been selected.

If you are still stuck, consider emailing Creative. There may be a file that both the webcam and scanner software share, but both use different versions of that file.

Matt

 

Hey Matt, Thanks for the response. I tried deleting in safe mode, I got a BSOD.

I have deleted everything that ever pertained to the Creative web cam, uninstalled the programs, deleted every reference anywhere, still no joy.

I'll follow your advice and email Creative if I can find their email address.

If anybody has any ideas on how to get rid of that camera and/or those drivers in device manager, I'd sure like to hear from you.

Mattman, you take care.

Martin

 

Creative technical support:
http://dmzweb4.europe.creative.com/wwenglish/general/contact_techsupport.htm

Troubleshooting procedures:
http://dmzweb4.europe.creative.com/...english_add,VARSET=ws:http://us.creative.com/

Matt

 

'Mornin Matt: I have emailed Creative. See what happens.

Thanks again,

You take care,

Martin