topic Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems in PCs & Accessories

VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

bpshah — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:05:23 GMT

The integrated motion eye camera is doing my head in, it just doesn’t work.

It fails with Skype and it works once after restarting the laptop using Sony’s Vaio camera capture utility. But the minute you close it and try to use it again you get a message saying “an attempt to initialize the camera failed”!!!

The Vaio update never actually seems to inform me when updates are available yet I have made sure I have updated all the latest software from the support site.

I am even trying to update the Vaio camera capture utility but it dies half through the installation wizard.

What is this company doing, This is brand new laptop with the Vista on it but in their wisdom Sony decided to include Adobe software that all need upgrading to Vista why haven’t they done this before selling the damn thing.

And from reading this forum it is clear that I am not the only one having problems with the camera, why don’t they provide a fix,

Get your act together SONY!!

PLUS YOU CAN'T EVEN SEARCH IN THE BLOODY FORUMS!!!

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

Blencogo — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:26:23 GMT

Hi bps1 and welcome to Club Vaio.

Yes the lack of the search facility is a real pain.

You need to download and install the Microsoft Hotfix KB931812 - DOWNLOAD FROM HERE

You need to install the Vaio Camera Capture Utility Version : 2.2.01.04100 - DOWNLOAD FROM HERE. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. You have to run the installer file TWICE. Once to uninstall the old version and once to install the new.

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

bpshah — Mon, 14 May 2007 16:14:46 GMT

"NOTE: This utility is only for use with the products identified above and sold in the United States, Latin America, Canada, or Brazil. Not all models are sold in all countries."

The hotfix page states the above information and says it is for AR370 mine is VGN-AR31S is it ok to use?

As for the update to Vaio Capture, I downloaded it, but it simply fails to install, the wizard pops up and then simply disappears, I have even tried watching the install on the task manager and yes it starts and then simply disappears, do you think installing the above hotfix will allow me to install it?

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

Blencogo — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:06:49 GMT

The Microsoft Hotfix is, I believe, the same for all models of PC in all countries.

If you want to check, phone Microsoft to get the Hotfix direct from them MICROSOFT KB931812

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

bpshah — Tue, 15 May 2007 21:06:45 GMT

I applied the hotfix the camera seems to work, but as for the second part the update fails to install, it starts but then simply disappears, when I start the camera utility it still shows Ver 2.2

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

Blencogo — Wed, 16 May 2007 00:26:51 GMT

when I start the camera utility it still shows Ver 2.2

Version 2.2 is the new version - if you have this installed you should be OK.

Is the camera working properly now?

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

jumpsuit — Wed, 16 May 2007 08:10:56 GMT

I have the same problem running that update.
I have the Vaio Camera utility version 2.0 and the update just disappears off my screen.
I have tried running it as administrator, disabling windows defender, manually extracting the files and running setup but still with no luck.

Bizarrely I don't actually have the Vaio Camera Capture Uility on my pc.
It is absent from my start menu - all programs and there is no reference at all to it in any folders / directories.

while I am now able to use the camera in skype after the hotfix, I cannot use it for the CV video competition etc. (hence my recent submission 'A Study In Black' was refused

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

jeffer — Wed, 16 May 2007 09:11:40 GMT

The Update to 2.2 is an update, not an installer. If you don't have the Camera Utility on your machine at all, then the update will fail (as there is nothing to update). You need to restore the Camera Utility using the restore tools, and then apply the update. The update "disappears" off the screen because Camera Utility is not installed. A proper error message would have been nice, hm Sony?

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

jumpsuit — Wed, 16 May 2007 09:31:21 GMT

Hi

Ha Ha this all gets very confusing with 2 apps called virtually the same. I have the camera utility but not the camera capture utility.

And yes in my case that makes sense why the camera capture utility update won't install.
still the question is...why is it missing?

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

bpshah — Wed, 16 May 2007 19:16:38 GMT

I have a program called "Vaio camera capture utility" IT STILL fails to update, surely if it updates then the version should change from 2.2 to something else. Like I say it simply disappears, what is Sony doing, why is more available on the US(COM) site then on this UK europe site, really getting angry with this company, used to be so good in the old days!!

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

Blencogo — Wed, 16 May 2007 19:56:42 GMT

I have a program called "Vaio camera capture utility" IT STILL fails to update, surely if it updates then the version should change from 2.2 to something else

As I said earlier bps1, if you have Version 2.2 your Vaio Camera Capture Utility HAS UPDATED. This update changes the version FROM 2.0 TO 2.2. You already have the latest version and it cannot update further.

Is your camera working?

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

greenwavesurfer — Thu, 17 May 2007 12:21:26 GMT

I don't have use of the built-in MotionEye camera either, one of several vista upgrade problems. Have applied hotfix and tried to run (twice) the latest Camera utility driver 2.2...4 as opposed to 2.2....2 which is still listed on sony support site for FE31Z and guess what? Doesn't work. I'm almost suprised Where is the camera utility installed on the machine? Under what name? When I look at it in Control Panel's Program list it says version 2.0 not 2.2, which makes me think the installer isn't working for me either. Mind you this pales in comparison to the 'battery not detected' problem I have ...

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

bpshah — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:27:15 GMT

The camera appears to be working, can you confirm what version of Vaio update I should be running I currently have 3.0.00.13220, however it has never told me to update anything even when there are updates, also I keep geeting a message saying host processes for windows have stopped working

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

dreamydays — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:21:45 GMT

Hi there, AR31s user having the same problems with my camera all the problems that have been posted but seemed to have turned a corner so here's what i done...camera wasn't working so uninstalled the camera utility from programs and features, when you do this it also gives the option to delete drivers of which i did. i then reinstalld the driver for camera utility from C:\Drivers\Camera\VGP-VCC4 - DPInst32. i then installed the camera utility from the preinstalled utilities i downloaded from the support site 'Utils Installer VAIO Camera Capture Utility' and that was that! version 2.1 installed. haven't installed 2.2 yet have to set system restore point and the rest but quite frankly i'm enjoying the fact that it's working! if it ain't broke then don't fix it! Now onto the blasted blue ray drive which either doesn't work or goes out of sync?!

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

bpshah — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:53:38 GMT

Although the camera appears to be working can't seem to vidoe call using Skype, I can capture a photo using skype to display but video calling just does not start, do both ends need a camera to make a call or do they both need exactly the same version...the quest continues....

Re: VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

Thalamus. — Mon, 21 May 2007 15:19:35 GMT

Hi bps1,

you can check if your web cam works in Skype..

Click tools > Options > Video Settings..

In the select webcam ensure that Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-V is selected..

You should then see the image from the webcam in the window..

To have a video conversation you need to be talking to someone who also has a webcam..