My webcam hates the Internet

July 13, 2009 10:36 AM

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.

posted by mthomps00 to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Are you connected via a USB modem? There could be some weird conflict there... no idea otherwise.
posted by Magnakai at 12:32 PM on July 13

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

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

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