Lion can't recognize built in iSight...

My Macbook Pro is a 4,1 model Early 2008. I do like Lion but did use Skype reguarly until the upgrade to Lion and now cannot use any camera function. Essentially the USB hub does not see the inbuilt isight and some have said it a the 32bit/64 bit issue. Like you I have tried everything and I would like a statement from Apple that this is recognised as a fault and a possible fix date. I can downgrade to Snow Leopard but remain hopeful that a fix will come.

I also have been unable to get the built-in iSight on my mid-2008 MacBook Air to work since upgrading to Lion. I've tried all suggestions I've found online (shutdown and unplug for 15 min; reset SMU/PMU with Shift-Control-Option-Power for +30 sec; reset PRAM/NVRAM with Cmd-Option-p-r during boot and allow multiple chimes; & hold shift after pressing Power to perform a SafeBoot) EXCEPT removing the battery (because it is an Air). I've tried various programs (Photo Booth, iChat, creating a digital signature in Lion Preview) using both my account and a "test user" account I created. I do not have any external USB devices attached. No picture - no matter what!

In my case, the iSight DOES appear in the system profile (unless I boot in SafeMode):

I have not noticed anything else not working properly or taking longer than before. I do not use the camera much and probably won't downgrade back to Snow Leopard, but I hate the idea of having something not working.

I agree with Hunter45S that a statement from Apple that this is recognized as a fault and some indication of a possible fix date would be nice.

[Windows 98 - maybe. Still not as bad as the Vista fiasco!] --SLS

Thanks for the tip, but I do not have a USB hub - I have a MacBook Air with only one external USB and nothing plugged in. The other USB items shown in the system profile pic I posted are internal - built-in like the iSight. Of course, that does not mean that the problem isn't the same -- these internal USB devices could be blocking the iSight. This will be a problem with every MBA, if that's the case. The devices are disabled, but I know of no way to physically disconnect them. Any suggestions on that?

For the record, I made an appointment with Apple Support and they spent an hour on the phone with me, walking me through all of the steps I had already tried (SMU reset, PRAM rest, etc.). In the end, the tech said it must be hardware and suggested I take it to the local Apple dealer. That was just over a week ago - I have not had a chance to do it yet. What I'm afraid of is that I'll have to pay for them to replace something that does not need to be replaced. If it's not really hardware, then a new camera wouldn't work either - right? And in that case I should not have to pay for it - right? I do not have any experience with this.

Ouch - that's why I can't even think about a clean install of Snow Leopard just to check the iSight. Like I said, I don't use the camera much so I can probably wait it out. Not that coincidences don't happen, I'm also inclined to agree that this is not hardware issue. And, I'm very surprised Apple has not responded to you or even come out to say they know about it and that they are working on it. Not a good first impression of the new Apple regime!!

Update...... The Isight is now recognised and is working correctly in all apps - probably always going to be a mystery. Maybe Apple fixed it? Anybody else report mysterious fix?

Not working for me -- but my problem was different. My iSight was/is showing up in the system profile and the green light goes on in all apps. It's just that there is no picture; black screen in Photo Booth, iChat, etc. --SLS

Had the same problem. "Disk Utilities > Repair Permissions" fixed it for me tho- Give it a try?

Thanks for the tip, but I tried "Disk Utilities > Repair Permissions" and it did not work. ~~SLS

Tried all of the above, nothing has worked to restore a perfectly good iSight. No camera recognized in any apps, nor in system profiler...since installing Lion! whaaaa???

• If Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090

suggestions do not help you, continue with the following.

• Use Disk Utility to repair permissions and then

download and apply the 10.7.2 Combo Update:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1459

• Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart

that completes the Combo update.

The Combo version of updates can sometimes correct

strange problems like yours.

If your built-in iSight is still not recognized as a USB Hardware device in your Mac's System Information utility, see your AASP for professional help.

Thank you for responding! I already had the 10.7.2, and i did repair disc permissions, and do the restart yesterday...but maybe it all just needed to rest...shutdown last night, and this morning iSight is back. whew! thanks!

I repaiered disc permissions, ran 10.7.2 Combo update, and repaired disc permissions again, but still no iSight. Maybe I should try sutting it down for a full night.