ArEmDoubleU
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: The built-in camera on my iMac fails to operate - green light goes out, image freezes, then message says 'no camera connected'.

Having reset PRAM, etc, took it to Genius Bar.  They couldn't replicate the problem until they unplugged their wired keyboard/mouse and tried a wireless keypad/trackpad as I use at home and then the camera froze, Facetime crashed.  They think it is to do with bluetooth and reinstalled Lion, but it did not solve the problem.  Before I return to the Genius Bar - any ideas, anyone? 

iMac (21.5-inch Late 2009), Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 28, 2012 12:44 PM

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ArEmDoubleU

Q: The built-in camera on my iMac fails to operate - green light goes out, image freezes, then message says 'no camera connected'.

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  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jan 28, 2012 3:03 PM in response to ArEmDoubleU
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Jan 28, 2012 3:03 PM in response to ArEmDoubleU

    HI,

     

    My Mid 2011 iMac came with a Blue Tooth Keyboard and Mouse.

     

    If you are using a Third Party Device can you tell use what it is ?

    Also what did they use in the Store ?

     

     


    11:03 PM      Saturday; January 28, 2012


    Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),

    "Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

  • by ArEmDoubleU,

    ArEmDoubleU ArEmDoubleU Jan 28, 2012 3:35 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2012 3:35 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hello,

     

    I use Apple wireless keyboard and wireless trackpad.  At the Genius Bar they plugged in their own wired keyboard and mouse and the camera worked!  Since posting my question, I consulted my son in New York and he thinks it's definitely a hardware problem re: the bluetooth using bandwidth and conflicting with the USB ports (which is all connected with the in-built camera).  I'm not so knowledgeable about these technical aspects, as you can guess!

     

    As it would be prohibitively expensive to put right (out of warranty), he suggested plugging in the wired Keyboard that originally came with the iMac, and keeping the wireless trackpad, and - hey presto! - the camera now works.  Only disadvantage - a white cable spoiling the look of my lovely PC.  Maybe your newer iMac has a bit more juice to cope with the bluetooth devices?  Thanks so much for taking an interest.

     

    Best wishes!

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jan 29, 2012 12:24 PM in response to ArEmDoubleU
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Jan 29, 2012 12:24 PM in response to ArEmDoubleU

    Hi,

     

    Your son is right in that Blue Tooth, the Internal Camera the Infra red sensor are all connected as USB devices internally.

     

    It could be that there is an Issue with Numbering devices (most common) and there is a resulting conflict.

     

    If a normal restart or even  Shut Down and reboot are not solving this then do the PRAM reset with the wired keyboard

    Shut down the computer.

    Restart it holding down Apple/CMD ( or ⌘)+ALT( ⌥)+P+R Keys until you have heard three Start Up Bongs.

     

    PRAM Keys

     

    As the wired keyboard and mouse would be "unpowered" items it does not seem like  "juice" issue.

     

    The USB Controller for the Camera and the Blue Tooth connection are linked to the same controller/Bus on my iMac.

    iMac

     

    Your computer should be able to cope with the Blue Tooth Keyboard and Mouse.

     

     

     

     


    8:24 PM      Sunday; January 29, 2012


    Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),

    "Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously