topic Re: FE41Z Problems in PCs & Accessories

FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 13:12:06 GMT

Hello all,

I purchased my FE41Z approx 1-2 weeks ago. Not my first Sony laptop. It comes pre-installed with Windows Vista and so the problems start.

First of all I installed my own full edition of Office 2003 and after that the inbuilt webcam no longer works. I removed it and it works again! Very disappointing indeed. Then I went on to put internet security on my computer. I don't use Norton and use Kaspersky as I've always used that and have paid license. Installed that and checked webcam after... doesn't work again! Removed that and still doesn't work so I did system restore to before installation and webcam works again.

I then called Sony support and was surprised by their less than helpful advice, which was "Don't use that software then!" Since then I've installed Office 2007 and webcam works after then. Tried a different internet security (BitDefender) and again problems with in-built camera starts again. So rolled back to before that again.

Right now I'm running my computer without security, which is not what I want with the high amounts of adware and viruses circulating on the web. I've been able to use the webcam without those installed.

I went to install another one of my software today (Namo) and again the webcam doesn't work after. These do work on Vista fine, so I cannot see why they interfere with the webcam.

Sony support have asked me to do various tests such as MSCONFIG and disable all start up programmes. Done that and webcam still doesn't work. They also asked me to reinstall drivers. Again, done that and still doesn't work when my much wanted programmes are installed.

I have no idea what to do now. Any help appreciated. Sony support are looking into this but I don't feel a fix will be coming from them anytime soon.

Thanks for reading.

Lisa

Re: FE41Z Problems

groovejohn — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 13:18:33 GMT

I've got EXACTLY the same problems with my FE41E...
😞

Re: FE41Z Problems

Thalamus. — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 13:57:08 GMT

Hi Lisa,

Welcome to Club Vaio..

As you've seen on another thread you are not alone with this problem, there have been several posts on the forum regarding the Motion Eye camera problem, this has been reported to Sony and we are waiting for an fix..

A possible solution has been posted in this thread ..

According to Kaspersky, Internet Security 6.0 is Vista compatible , if you have version 5 check here for upgrade details, so you should be ok to install this on your FE41Z..

I'm surprised to read the responses that you have received from Vaio Support regarding the Motion Eye camera problem, as they are aware of the problem and have told us that they are working on a fix..

Nice photographs buy the way..

Re: FE41Z Problems

Thalamus. — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:23:42 GMT

Hi groovejohn,

Welcome to Club Vaio..

Does the reply above help with your problem..?

Re: FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:43:10 GMT

Hi Lisa,

Welcome to Club Vaio..  

As you've seen on another thread you are not alone with this problem, there have been several posts on the forum regarding the Motion Eye camera problem, this has been reported to Sony and we are waiting for an fix..

A possible solution has been posted in this thread ..

According to Kaspersky, Internet Security 6.0 is Vista compatible , if you have version 5 check here  for upgrade details, so you should be ok to install this on your FE41Z..

I'm surprised to read the responses that you have received from Vaio Support regarding the Motion Eye camera problem, as they are aware of the problem and have told us that they are working on a fix.. 

Nice photographs buy the way..

Thanks for that and the link. Tried it and still doesn't work.. pah!

yes I already have the Kaspersky IS 6. Just weird how these programs interfere with the webcam. Yes I was surprised with Sony's response too! Annoyed me and I had to explain more than twice that it's not my problem, it's their duty to find a fix. I await their fix.

Thanks for the photo comments

Regards,
Lisa

Re: FE41Z Problems

Thalamus. — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:49:34 GMT

You're welcome, sorry I can't help further..

Hopefully the Motion eye camera fix will be released soon..

Re: FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 17:28:27 GMT

I fixed it!!!!!

And ther best thing is I have all of my wanted programs installed and it's still working woo! :smileygrin:

Lisa

Re: FE41Z Problems

Thalamus. — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 17:34:27 GMT

I fixed it!!!!!

Excellent Lisa..

Could you post how you fixed it it may be useful to other members..

Re: FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 17:44:43 GMT

I fixed it!!!!!


Excellent Lisa..  

Could you post how you fixed it it may be useful to other members..

Sure. I don't know if this was actually 'it'. As I've spent a while playing, but what I did was made sure EVERY single software installed is Vista compatible. If I didn't know I googled *software name* + vista and see if there was any patches, if so, download them.

Then I ran the tutorial in this thread. I will paste below so you can see in this thread...

Pasted from that thread:

In the repertory c:/Drivers/camera I found two applications DPinst32.exe and dpinst64.exe

just right click on both, then select properties, compability, and mark the square "execute this program as an administrator"

It worked for me.

You should also check in the control panel that your identity is considered as an administrator.

All the best, Luc.

As well as this, I checked the checkbox on the compatibilty and made sure the program ran in XP SP2. I did turn "Account Control" off too. Restarted, tested webcam... worked. Turned account control back on (to see if it might have been that) and it still worked.

Fixed for me. Hope it works for others too.

Lisa

Re: FE41Z Problems

Thalamus. — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:00:03 GMT

Then I ran the tutorial in this thread.

Thanks for that and the link. Tried it and still doesn't work.. pah!

What did you do differently to the last time you tried the solution I posted a link toabove , was it just to check the checkbox on the compatibility..??

Re: FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:19:55 GMT

Yes and upgrading all software.

I think it will be a temporary fix though. I have a feeling it will stop working again soon.

Lisa

Re: FE41Z Problems

Thalamus. — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:30:58 GMT

I think it will be a temporary fix though. I have a feeling it will stop working again soon.

Hopefully not before Sony releases the fix.. :smileygrin:

Re: FE41Z Problems

joesant — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:39:26 GMT

I tried what was suggested - re marking the compatibility checkbox to be used as administrator, however the option is greyed out even though i am listed as administrator. Any ideas on this irritating problem please. 10x

Re: FE41Z Problems

kee-lo_ — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 12:24:07 GMT

Thanks Lisa, now I can Skype

Re: FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 11:44:40 GMT

I tried what was suggested - re marking the compatibility checkbox to be used as administrator, however the option is greyed out even though i am listed as administrator. Any ideas on this irritating problem please. 10x

My 64 bit one was like that, although my computer is 32 bit and the 32 one checked no problem. Do you have user account control switched on? If not, that's probably why it's not working. If not, try right clicking and select "run as administrator"?

Also VAIO phoned and said there is a fix for this. They said they'd email me the link on Microsoft but nothing ever arrived. He seemed to have a bit of a problem spelling Lisa when I was reciting my email address to him :smileyd_oh:

I have searched Microsoft and found these fixes, there are two which are linked below for you

Sony Capture utility crashing - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931812/
VAIO Webcam fix (ignore vaio version, no more than that listed) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323322/

Good luck,
Lisa

Re: FE41Z Problems

jeffer — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:25:44 GMT

I'm getting similar problems on my AR31S. Camera is always "in use by another program". I will try your fix tonight. Any idea how to get the Microsoft updates? The links you posted simply said "contact Sony". There's nothing in the updates and drivers section on this website. I'm not sure that Microsoft is describing the same bug either...

Re: FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Fri, 04 May 2007 20:52:58 GMT

It's stopped working again. Anyone know of the link for the offical fix?

Lisa

Re: FE41Z Problems

Thalamus. — Fri, 04 May 2007 21:14:30 GMT

Hi Lisa,

You can download the Microsoft KB932142 Hotfix (found in the other section) and the VAIO Camera Capture Utility from the FE41Z Driver and Updates site ...

Re: FE41Z Problems

dazwan — Fri, 04 May 2007 21:33:00 GMT

You're welcome, sorry I can't help further..  

Hopefully the Motion eye camera fix will be released soon..

umm i have the VGN-FE41Z too and i got it to work so that there are no problems thanks to thalamus and richie and other sony forum admins=)

and also my motion eye works 100% which no1 else has claimed 0.o,

but i only have one problem.
the timer for closing the screen always resets itself please suggestions?

Re: FE41Z Problems

lisa.cleverley — Sat, 05 May 2007 10:42:37 GMT

Hi Lisa,

You can download the Microsoft KB932142 Hotfix (found in the other section) and the VAIO Camera Capture Utility from the FE41Z Driver and Updates site  ...

What other section do you mean? I've looked on the Sony website and see an Other section but no links etc. Just reg problems, e-support etc.

I did a system restore on my computer to 2 weeks ago and that's why the camera isn't working. Everything is set to run as admin still so no idea why it's decided to stop working.

OK scrap all the above it's now working since yesterday (what the h*ll, do I hear you say!?)

It seems my computer has a mind of it's own and loads what it wants to. No spyware, no viruses. Vista is just weird on here!

Lisa