AmyDavid

Well I now have the side bar that pops up for the webcam - but it just keeps telling me it has failed and to re-start the computer...grrrrrrrrrrr

AlexInBC

Most up to date version of the software is here:

http://209.167.114.38/support/Downlo...7.175.0123.zip

Is yours the same version? (Usually find that info in "help, about"...)

Also, regarding an earlier question you posted about BIOS updates. Having a look at the Toshiba support site seems to indicate that the majority of laptops of your model (don't know your specific part no.) have had BIOS updates published since they were sold. If yours has one available, it's well worth doing. They don't release them unless they've encountered problems that need solving. You can go for years on an out of date BIOS without issues, but then again, you could be one of the unlucky ones that really needs it.

It's dead simple as they've released theirs in the form of a simple Windows application that does it all for you, but if you have anything irreplacable on the machine, do back it up first.

Then go to: http://209.167.114.38/support/techsu...chSupport.asp# and enter your details to get the right BIOS update software to download. Make sure you choose the Vista version, NOT XP!

Download it to your desktop and then double-click on the icon and it'll run a Windows application to Flash the BIOS.

Just be very careful to follow any instructions that are along the lines of not pressing anything at a particular stage, even if your PC seems to not be doing anything!

AmyDavid

Many thanks for this - I will back up my pictures later and then give it ago!

ugacrew

Don't flash the BIOS unless you really have to. It sounds like you are missing the application the runs your webcam properly. The reason I state this is that you are most likely missing drivers. I know that's the case for my Logitech webcam if I don't have the application installed. I recommend installing that suite of software from the drivers section of Toshiba's website. I'd check your Programs list to see if you have any kind of Web Cam software installed such as Logitech or Creative. You might already have what you need. BTW, what is your model number?

AmyDavid

Am slowly loosing the will to live...! I cannot find any kind of Webcam Software listed. And for the life of me I cannot find what model number my laptop is!!!

ugacrew

There should be a sticker on the bottom of your laptop. Don't loose the will just yet. You'll get there.

AmyDavid

OKay - it states that it is a Toshiba Satellite A200 - 03V and then just serial numbers and supplier numbers

ugacrew

It looks like I'll need those. I'm looking for something that says Part Number. It might look something like this.... PSAE0C-AH106C. It might not be that exact number but that's the format that I'm looking for. I want to be sure to point you to the right software.

AmyDavid

OKay - PSAE3C -03V08C

ugacrew

Try downloading direct from this link.

http://support.toshiba.ca/support/Do...7.175.0123.zip

AmyDavid

All done...and it is still coming up saying "Webcam driver open fail. Please restart camera or computer". Head is now banging on the table...

ugacrew

I'm sorry it has taken me a while. I've been doing more research on your issue while I've been at work. It appears that a lot of people have issues with the built-in web cam installed in Toshiba Satellite computers. I did find something interesting that may correct the issue. Perhaps you can install Vista SP.1 if you haven't already. I think it might take care of the bug that's plaguing the driver issue.

Download it from Microsoft's Website here...

http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/d...displaylang=en

AmyDavid

Will this wipe things off my system if I download it? By the way, many, many thanks with your help on this. Your a star

ugacrew

No. This will only update issues dealing with Vista. I've already installed it on my system that I use at work and I haven't had any issues with it. As a matter of fact it has corrected some of the issues that I've noticed when I first moved from XP to Vista. Feel free to go forth with the update.

AlexInBC

I, being always the pessimist, would still recommend you do your photo backup thing first (as the installation will warn you to do, anyway.)

ugacrew's positive experience is definitely the norm., but we have had a couple of people who've had issues with the installation of SP1.

There's no doubt that it is necessary to improve Vista's stability and 99% of people will have no problems. I think the ones we knew, that had issues, were people who downloaded and installed it when it very first came out, rather than waiting until it was offered to them during their auto' updates. (Prior to that, some PC manufacturers hadn't yet produced updates that were needed to work with SP1's changes to Vista.)