Q: isight troubleshooting

Your posted system info shows you use hp, Windows XP.

First check that you have configured your XP ServicePack settings properly: http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/page12.html

If you use AIM, also check your other AIM XP chat settings: http://www.mvldesign.com/video_conference_tutorial.html#xp

If you suspect that the trouble is with your external iSight rather than any of your software or settings, use the "Standalone iSight cameras" suggestions here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090

If your iSight works with any app in any user account you test, your iSight is working.  In that case, your trouble is with some other system element.

If you have access to a Mac, you can also use the suggestions at http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html to double-check that your external iSight is the true source of the problem.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

I am having iSight problems too and my problem may be related to "some other system element" or another software program. I'm not sure.

I am using Delicious Library 2 (version 2.7.6) on a Mac Pro running OS X 10.6.8, which allows me to scan this into that program. The iSight camera, which is the standalone camera not the built-in, works fine in other applications like iChat or Skype. When I use the iSight camera to scan something into Delicious Library it seems the app focuses the iSight camera to a very close point. Later when I try to use iSight with either iChat or Skype the focus seems to be stuck at that close point and I am out of focus. The only way to fix the problem is to disconnect the wire from the computer then reconnect it.

I have tried removing the com.delicious-monster.library2.plist file but that made no difference.

Once I opened Delicious Library thinking the camera was off but I could tell it was on so I quickly turned it off before it had a chance to focus. I then quit the application and opened iChat. I opened the camera in iChat and for a second the image was sharp but then quickly went out of focus.

The camera seems to work fine if I don't use it with Delicious Library. Ca I be sure the app is cauing the problem or is it some other system element?

Do you have any suggestions with how to proceed?

(1) As indicated here, http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/09/wil-shipley-we-tried-to-do-too-much-fo r-delicious-library-2.ars, Delicious has caused problem in the past, so you are wise to check it out carefully.

The first thing you should check is that you have properly updated to the latest version that is compatible with your system.

(2) If the latest DL update does not resolve your trouble, follow Delicious' instructions to completely uninstall the app.  It is important that you uninstall per their directions.  Then restart and test again.  If the problem goes away, reinstall DL and test one more time.  If your trouble goes away every time you uninstall and comes back every time you reinstall DL, it is apparent that DL is causing a conflict with something in your system.

(3) Other external iSight conflict possibilities might merit consideration: http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage6.html

(4) External iSights are great webcams, but, as consumer electronics go, they are all now quite old.  It is possible that your iSight is beginning to show its age and may need repair or replacement.  You can test your external iSight using the suggestions here: http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html

I suggest you do this testing with other apps and user accounts while DL is NOT installed.

(5) If your iSight does show possible problems, repairing your external iSight might be more costly buying a new webcam such as one of these: http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/ (Even if you keep your external iSight, testing with another external webcam might help you in troubleshooting your problem.)

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.7.3

I am using the current version of DL2 and I checked to be sure that iSight was working per the link you provided. It is and as I noted it works fine with iChat and Skype.

I have tried using a different firewire port that did not help either. I am going directly into the back of the MacPro.

It will do me no good to uninstall DL2 because it is using that app that causes the problem. If I uninstalled it there would be no way for me to test to see if I still had the problem. I know the problem will go away if I uninstall it. I don't even have to uninstall DL2, the problem will go away if I don't use DL2. But by just opening up DL2 and truning on the camera, from that point on, even after I have quit DL2, the camera will be out of focus in iChat and Skype until I unplug the firewire and plug it in again. Then iChat and Skype will work fine until I use the DL2 camera again.

So I am guessing this is a bug and must be fixed on their end if it is going to be fixed?

MtnBreeze wrote:... I am guessing this is a bug and must be fixed on their end ...

Based on the fact that your problem is specific to the DL app, I think you have made the correct diagnosis.

If searching or posting in the dedicated DL Forums do not help you, you might want to seek technical support help via the DL Support Mail email address. 

The DL developer can help you get the very best possible performance from their software with your system.  If there is no solution with the present DL version, the developer will likely appreciate your reporting the problem you have found so they can consider it in a future product improvement update.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.7.3