Logitech Web Camera

I am having difficulty with viewing images from my Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000. I installed it on my computer running Windows Me. Everytime I open the logitech utility to view the feed, it instead tells me that the device is being used by another program. I have shut off virtually every program, however I am still given the same result. However, the other day I turned on Windows Netmeeting and I was able to view the feed from the webcam, without recieving the message. I had uninstalled netmeeting and tried again and the logitech utility gave me the same error. I have uninstalled/installed the drivers countless times and I am given the same result over and over again. Is there maybe a more experienced problem? Is there something else that I must do to fix the problem? Is it a driver? Hardware configuration? It only does this to the logitech camera. When I attached another camera, that camera utility never told me it was being used by another program! This problem has taken up long hours of my time and now i turn to you for help!

Thanks! I would be glad to answer anymore questions you have in resolving the issue.

 

Hi,

Long list of webcam problems and a few solutions here:
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2002Aug/gee20020816015891.htm

Relating to the Logitech 4000, a suggestion was to update DirectX.

If the error says it is already in use by another program, disable any programs that could be using it from running at startup and only open them when you want to use them. I think MS Messenger defaults to running at startup, disable that in the Tools -> Options menu. Look in msconfig > Startup tab and see if any programs may be loading the webcam.

Do you have more than one messenger program? They may be conflicting. My daughters use MS Messenger, I occasionally use Yahoo Messenger. I have Yahoo Messenger completely disabled unless I want to use it.

See if the Logitech software can be disabled and only run it if you need it. It may be a problem with the software rather than the drivers (this may be why NetMeeting works with the webcam).

I just wonder if the same program has been started twice. Do Ctrl+Alt+Del -> Task Manager and see what programs are running before you try using the webcam, then again when you get the error message.

I am not a webcam user (installer, yes, troubleshooter, yes, when my daughters complain ). What programs will want to run the webcam?...messenger programs, NetMeeting, the logitech software...anything else? Something is running it before you want to use it.

Matt
EDIT: Reading back, it may be the "other camera's utility" that has taken control. Does it run in the background?

 

Hello!

The other camera's utility would not play a role because i have uninstalled those after using them. That link you sent, kinda helped, but I didn't know how it would help me How can update Directx?

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx
For DirectX 9.0c you will be OK if you have a AGP 4X graphics card or higher. If you have less, say AGP 2X or 1X I would find out if it is supported by that version of DirectX first.

If you don't know the AGP rating of your graphics card, get Everest (in my signature). It is under Bus in the Display/Graphics section.

Matt
Edit: DirectX FAQs say that Win ME users can restore to a previous version using System Restore.