migarada
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Isight is detected but I get green screen

All of a sudden, my isight camera is working sporadically. It's being detected in system profiler, but I'll get a green screen or black screen in various apps. Often, after a period of time, it will suddenly start working. If I turn of video (Skype) or restart application (photo booth) it will be gone again. Then after some time it may reappear. Any ideas?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 19, 2012 1:11 PM

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migarada

Q: Isight is detected but I get green screen

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  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Feb 19, 2012 3:33 PM in response to migarada
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Feb 19, 2012 3:33 PM in response to migarada

    Some things that might resolve your trouble

     

    • Follow Skype's instructions and uninstall Skype.  Restart Mac and test.

     

    • Unless you have recently tried restarting your system (not only apps),

      restart your Mac and see if the fault frequency significantly decreases.

     

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

       suggestions do not help you, double-check that you are using

       the proper SMC/PMU "reset" method for your specific Mac model.

     

    • Use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions and then

       download and apply the latest Combo Update.  For your SnoLeo,

       the current one is at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

     

    • Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart

       that completes the Combo update.

     

    Properly applying the most recent Combo version can sometimes correct software problems, but intermittent, repetitive symptoms like you report can be an indication of hardware trouble.

     

    There are no user serviceable hardware components for Macs' built-in cameras.  If your trouble continues after you have tried all of the above, ask an Apple-Authorized Service Provider check your Mac and service it if necessary.

     

    Unless you have a current backup, make one before before taking your Mac for its checkup.

     

     

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

     

    Mac OSX 10.7.3

  • by migarada,

    migarada migarada Feb 19, 2012 3:31 PM in response to EZ Jim
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 19, 2012 3:31 PM in response to EZ Jim

    I don't think it's a hardware problem since on my Parallels virtual machine the video seems to be working ok. Problem seems to be only when working in Mac OS (e.g. Photo Booth, Skype). In windows, newest version of skype was problematic, but older version works fine. Very strange . . .

  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Feb 19, 2012 3:44 PM in response to migarada
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Feb 19, 2012 3:44 PM in response to migarada

    You may have a conflict arising from multiple third-party apps: Skype, Parallels, etc.

     

    You can try uninstalling all of them and restarting Mac to see if the problem goes away with the third-party apps.  If all works with only Apple apps installed, you can add back your third-party items one at a time.  Test thoroughly before adding a second.  If the problem returns when you reinstall one of those apps and always disappears when it is uninstalled again, you have identified the source of your trouble.

     

    If you don't get the answer you need here and do not want to seek professional help, try searching or posting in the dedicated forum for each of those non-Apple apps to see if yours is a known issue.  Some of the Skype, Parallels, etc., users may have already found the solution to your problem.

     

     

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

     

     

    Mac OSX 10.7.3