Web cam which claims to be in use by other application

I have spent an entire afternoon trying to install (that bit went OK) and use (here we ran into probs) a Logitech Quickcam Express. I have done the troubleshooting bit and followed all their instructions to the letter. However the cam still insists it is being used by another application...I can't identiify which, if any, app is open. I've done the Crtl+Alt+Delete bit and waded through the list , closing whichever looked remotely likely to want to use imaging device.
I have downloaded and installed Directx 9..I was not sure where to install it so dropped it into windows system...did I do right?
I have a DV3300 Digital camera and the software is installed but the camera was not connected to a usb port at the time.
I have 224 MB RAM
51% system resources free
Available space on drive C: 33298MB of 38152MB (FAT32) Any suggestions (other than dump the web cam) would be appreciated

 

One thing that comes to mind right away is any instant messenging apps. I've got a logitec web cam too and if MSN Messenger is running I'll get the same error. So, if you have any IM program running try shutting it down and then see if it works. I don't know for sure but it wouldn't surprise me if Yahoo Messenger, AOL, etc. would do the same thing.

 

Thank you Zander...I'll give that a try...although it rather defeats the purpose of having a web cam if the two main outlets, MSN and Yahoo conflict with it.

 

You can use the web cam with the instant messenging programs just fine. The problem comes in when you try to use the webcam's software while the IM program is running. The webcam software considers the camera being used even if you aren't actually using it in the IM program at the time. If the IM program is open, the cameras already spoken for(so to speak).

The webcams software doesn't need to be running in order to use it in MSN or the other programs.

 

Thanks for the prompt response...as you may have guessed I am sitting here fingers poised over the keybpoard waiting for the next solution to my problem.
I should have pointed out that the programme recognises the cam as if I start it up with the cam unplugged it demands that I plug in the webcam...
The software is installed there in the registry.
I looked in the regedit.
One thing that concerns me is that I downloaded directx 9 and had to choose where to extract it to...I chose Windows/system...was this the right thing to do...

I will have another go at opening with the IM closed...thanks...

 

Still the same ...The camera starts to open then is overruled by the error message :Camera being used by another application'.
I have contacted Logitech direct and will telephone today also.There has to be a fault in the camera as the USB checker states that all are in order.
Thank you for trying to help me ...hope I didn't waste too much of your time

 

I failed to catch this before. When you extracted it did it go through the installation routine? I haven't installed directx for a while but it seems to me you have to extract it to a folder of it's own and then go to that folder and run the setup file. So, did you just extract the files or did it also install? You should have seen an installation dialog just as when you install any other program.

 

Now you have got me thinking ....The zip file asked where to be extracted to...I opted for Windows/system...I didn't do anything after that as I recall...so...you think there is a setup file waiting there...OK...will go check it out and if it is there will click and see what happens....

Back...
I relocated the downloaded directx file and extracted it to windows temp...from there the setup file installed directx...can only assume it knew where to go...Sheesh I am soooo dumb whenit comes to the innards of this computer!

 

Ok. Did you get the camera working then?

 

Unfortunately .....Nope.... I downloaded an updated driver from Logitech support last night as a last resort....installed new software and still the same result...I have to assume that this cam is indeed faulty...Now to convince 'Dick Smith' and or Logitech that it should be replaced without me having to return the entire package (keyboard, mouse and cam). I refuse point blank to be left without a keyboard and mouse for the 4 - 6 weeks that `Dick Smith` claim it will take to resolve this issue.

 

How do you have the camera plugged in? Is it plugged into a USB port on the computer or is it plugged into a USB hub? If the latter, try by-passing the hub and plug directly into a port on the puter. Also, you might try removing the camera in device manager. Reboot, windows will find it and reinstall the drivers for it. Might be worth a shot.

 

the tower has 4 USB ports...2 at front are the ones I use for camera etc., but good thought...I'll try those on the back.
I will also remove from Device Manager as you suggest....as you say...it's worth a shot.
By the time I have sorted this lil thing out I will have lost the will to use it LOL

 

HAPPY TO REPORT ALL IS NOW WELL WITH THE WEBCAM
I contacted Logitech and received the following advice***... Once I got DirectX installed correctly everything else fell into place...my original digital camera also responds to being a web cam again too .

Many Thanks Zander...A Very Happy and prosperous new year to You and Your Colleagues. From a very satisfied client
***
Camera Not Present or Already In Use

Question
When starting the camera I receive an error the camera's not present, or the camera is already in use.


Answer
Check for Other Running Video Applications
If another video application is running, the camera driver might still be in use by that application. Examples of other video applications are Yahoo! Messenger, MSN, Logitech VideoCall or Windows Movie Maker. If another video application is running, exit out of it and then start the application you wish to use with your camera. Keep in mind that only one application can use the camera at a time.

Install the Latest Version of DirectX
Before continuing with diagnostics, please make sure you are using the latest release of DirectX. You can download the latest release here.

Unplug the camera.
Uninstall the camera software using Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel.
Click "Start ", "Settings ", and "Control Panel ".
Double click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
Highlight the Logitech camera software and click the Add/Remove button. (Change/Remove if you are using Windows XP.)
Install the latest DirectX version from Microsoft.
Reinstall the camera software.
Verify That the Device Has Been Loaded in the Device Manager
When Windows correctly detects the Logitech video camera, it will load 2-3 entries in the Device Manager, depending on the camera being used. Please do the following:

Press the CTRL, ALT and DEL keys simultaneously to bring up the Task Manger.
End task on LVCOMS.EXE.
Open the Device Manager and remove the camera.
Click the "Start" button, "Settings ", then "Control Panel ". (For Windows XP and Windows 2000, click "Start ", then "Control Panel. ")
Double click on the "System" icon.
Click on the "Device Manager" tab. Windows XP and Windows 2000 users, click on the Hardware Tab, then the Device Manager button.
Click on the plus (+) sign next to "Imaging Device ". A properly installed camera will load an entry in this section entitled "Logitech USB Video Camera ". If this entry does not exist, or is listed with a yellow exclamation mark (!), remove it and proceed to the next step.
Next click on the plus (+) sign next to "Universal serial bus controller ".
Remove the entry for "Logitech USB Camera" and proceed to the next step.
(For cameras with a built in Microphone.) Click on the plus (+) sign next to "Sound, Video, and Game Controllers ".
Remove the entry for "Logitech USB Microphone" and proceed to the next step.
Unplug the Camera
Delete the Driver Folder and Reinstall the Driver
For the following step, please have the Logitech camera software CD readily available. Use the instructions that apply to the software version your camera uses.

 

Glad to hear it's up and running. Thanks for letting us know.