VGN-AR31S---Camera problems

[bpshah]

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!!!

[Blencogo]

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.

[bpshah]

"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?

[Blencogo]

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

[bpshah]

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

[Blencogo]

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?

[jumpsuit]

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

[jeffer]

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?

[jumpsuit]

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?

[bpshah]

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!!