How to turn webcam ON?

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Level 1

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How to turn webcam ON?

The webcam is not recognized by Skype, iChat, or Photobooth. Is it possible for it to be disabled or off? Where do I go to control the settings? I want to turn it on for Skype, but it does not find the device in the list.

I've read that the camera can only be used by one program at a time, but currently I dont think it's being used by any program.

Thanks!

Macbook Pro

Posted on Oct 23, 2010 6:45 PM

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Answer 1

eww

Level 9

53,028 points

Oct 23, 2010 7:01 PM in response to mle0002

Apple menu > About This Mac > More Info > click "USB" under Hardware in the left pane of System Profiler. Does the iSight camera appear under one of the USB buses in the right pane?

If not, reset your MBP's SMC:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Then look again. If it still doesn't appear in System Profiler, take your MBP in for service under your warranty.

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Answer 2

mle0002 Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 23, 2010 7:45 PM in response to eww

Thanks.

I don't see anything about iSight in the USB pane, only the keyboard, trackpad, and bluetooth controller.

I looked at the link about resetting the SMC...but that looks like what to do if the computer is acting up. I did tried all the pre-reset suggestions (force quit, sleep, restart, etc) and that didn't change anything. The computer doesn't have any of the symptoms listed to suggest resetting it.

Its from 2008, so I don't think this is still under warranty.

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Answer 3

eww

Level 9

53,028 points

Oct 24, 2010 4:44 AM in response to mle0002

Go ahead and reset the SMC. Doing so sometimes brings back USB ports that have been shut down or USB devices that aren't being powered.

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Answer 4

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Oct 24, 2010 8:46 AM in response to mle0002

mle0002 wrote:
... I don't see anything about iSight in the USB pane, only the keyboard, trackpad, and bluetooth controller.

Does the info here help?

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12471889#12471889

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.4); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.4)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

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