My webcam hates the Internet
July 13, 2009 10:36 AM Subscribe
My webcam keeps kicking me off the Internet! How do I diagnose this?
For weeks, I've been using a Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 webcam to conduct video calls over Skype with no problem.
Then, last week, I installed software (SkypeCap) to record one of these video calls. It worked all right, but the video of the call recipient was sluggish, so I tried installing another video call recorder (Pamela). That's when the trouble started.
After I installed Pamela, my video calls started happening like this: I'd call the person (or they'd call me), turn on my video (or start with video), we'd chat for a few seconds, then the video would freeze, the call would end abruptly, and my wireless Internet connection would stop working altogether. I'd have to right-click on the Wireless Network icon in my taskbar and ask Windows to repair the connection before I could get back on the 'Net.
I've uninstalled Pamela and Skypecap, upgraded to the latest version of Skype, tried making a video call with another app (ooVoo), and the problem persists. It must be some conflict with the webcam, because it doesn't matter which software I use to make the call -- Skype or ooVoo -- the call ends shortly after beginning, and the Internet stops working.
I have no idea where to begin diagnosing this. Does this sound like a device driver conflict? How do I repair it?
My setup is Windows XP SP3 (Core 2 Duo processor, 3.25 GHz, 3 GB RAM). My broadband speed is 1544 Kbps download and 705 Kbps upload.
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
For weeks, I've been using a Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 webcam to conduct video calls over Skype with no problem.
Then, last week, I installed software (SkypeCap) to record one of these video calls. It worked all right, but the video of the call recipient was sluggish, so I tried installing another video call recorder (Pamela). That's when the trouble started.
After I installed Pamela, my video calls started happening like this: I'd call the person (or they'd call me), turn on my video (or start with video), we'd chat for a few seconds, then the video would freeze, the call would end abruptly, and my wireless Internet connection would stop working altogether. I'd have to right-click on the Wireless Network icon in my taskbar and ask Windows to repair the connection before I could get back on the 'Net.
I've uninstalled Pamela and Skypecap, upgraded to the latest version of Skype, tried making a video call with another app (ooVoo), and the problem persists. It must be some conflict with the webcam, because it doesn't matter which software I use to make the call -- Skype or ooVoo -- the call ends shortly after beginning, and the Internet stops working.
I have no idea where to begin diagnosing this. Does this sound like a device driver conflict? How do I repair it?
My setup is Windows XP SP3 (Core 2 Duo processor, 3.25 GHz, 3 GB RAM). My broadband speed is 1544 Kbps download and 705 Kbps upload.
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
You may have some sort of driver issue. Check the Logitech website for a newer driver and known issues. Also update the drivers for your wireless card. What happens when you run a call with a wired connection?
posted by JuiceBoxHero at 1:06 PM on July 13, 2009
posted by JuiceBoxHero at 1:06 PM on July 13, 2009
I'd try a system restore to before you installed the first of the call-recorders. If that doesn't help, I'd uninstall ooVoo, Skype and the camera driver and add them back, one item at a time. It sounds like one of those made a change that has survived the Skype upgrade.
posted by TruncatedTiller at 3:15 PM on July 13, 2009
posted by TruncatedTiller at 3:15 PM on July 13, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks, folks. I uninstalled and reinstalled Skype and my Logitech software, and now I'm waiting for an opportunity to test video calling.
Magnakai, I am using a USB wireless modem, but it wasn't giving me any problems until Friday.
posted by mthomps00 at 9:41 AM on July 14, 2009
Magnakai, I am using a USB wireless modem, but it wasn't giving me any problems until Friday.
posted by mthomps00 at 9:41 AM on July 14, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Magnakai at 12:32 PM on July 13, 2009