Microsoft Life Cam - Studio Model

Hi.

I replaced a Life Cam 5000 with a newer "Studio Model" and it ran fine under windows 8.0, 32-bit version.

Then, I upgraded to 8.1 and suddenly it didn't even appear in my programs list, and the desktop icon was gone. So I simply reinstalled it, but was unable to get it working and still, no desktop icon.

I removed it completely, using REVO Uninstaller, as that app removes everything.

I restarted the system and reinstalled the software from the downloaded version. But I did not disconnect the USB and, of course, it failed again.

One last try, disconnecting the USB connector, then using REVO again, restarting, reinstalling from the downloaded (from Microsoft) software, plugged in the USB when prompted, and did exactly the correct procedure.

Big surprise! Still did not work and still no desktop icon.

So, after I post this call for advice and help, I will install the software from the earlier version, which I have on the CD which accompanied the older Life Cam, and see if it works. I figure that by the time I know if it did or did not work properly, I will have heard from someone here.

As an added strangeness, the only time I actually tried to see whether Skype could access the camera, it told me some other something had control and it couldn't use the camera. The microphone, however, worked like a charm!

And for extra credit: when I did install it correctly - USB plugged in at the prompt and all - Device Manager showed it as being installed and working just dandy. (It lied!)

If this rings anybody's memory bells, please do let me know. It's new enough for me to call Microsoft but I'd rather get help here - for obvious reasons.

Thanks all, very much.

Alex,

 

Thanks, Tony.

I did download the firmware and driver last week, when I realized that the Studio Cam no longer worked. So when I downloaded the files you suggested, I appended a "-2" to each, prior to the ".exe" and then compared the file sizes.

They are exactly the same.

Now, the most recent time that I tried to make this thing work, I had unplugged the USB prior to removing the software. I used Revo Uninstaller, as I am more confident that it gets everything, including Registry entries, and wipes the whole thing out.

I then ensured that there were no folders in Program Files for the Life Cam, or Microsoft Life Cam, and did the same thing in Program Data, to be sure.

What I did not do was look in Windows\System32 or other sub-folders under Windows, like drivers, or INF, etc. as I felt that Revo had removed everything.

I then restarted the system, with the USB still unplugged, and ran only the studio software to install, as I had already done the firmware. And, BTW, the camera does work on my wife's Win 7 64-bit system, with a USB 2.0 jack.

But again, I installed a USB 3.0 dual jack in an expansion slot inside the PC, just for this in the event that it might work better under USB 3.0.

All that, and it did not put an icon on the desktop, nor did it give me any way to start up the Life Cam Studio software. And the only time I tried it under Skype it told me that some other app had control, so it would not be able to access the camera.

I imagine I should see if the old Win Messenger or another iteration of the old stuff exists, and make sure it is gone, before trying all of this again.

Do you think it is worth going through this once more? I am certainly willing to give it another shot, if there is a chance that this thing will finally work.

Once more, thank you very much,
Alex

 

Hey!

Another thing I just discovered: Neither Device Install Service nor Device Setup Manager have started in Services.

Could this have anything to do with my problems?

Again, thanks,
-a.