Q: External iSight - no sound with Mac mini 2011

With external iSight connected, check  > System Preferences... > Sound > Input to verify that iSight mic is selected and input volume is set appropriately.

Also launch Skype and verify that Skype > Conversation > Mute Microphone setting is configured properly.

More on how to test your old external iSight: http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.3

You're welcome.

(1) Your new info indicates to me that there is probably something wrong with your cable(s), adapter(s), Mac mini's Firewire, or your external iSight itself.

You can eliminate most of these by troubleshooting with other cables, adapters, Firewire devices, and Macs as suggested in the info from my earlier link.

If no Firewire device you test on your Mac works with any connecting cable, resetting the Mac's Firewire bus may help. Apple's "how-to" article has been archived in this link.  (This link may be slow to load.)

If you have trouble displaying the archive page, here is the pertinent extract on how to reset the bus:

... If the issue persists, try these steps:

 

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Disconnect all devices and all other cables, except the keyboard and mouse cable(s).
3. Disconnect the computer from the power outlet and wait for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Plug the computer back in and turn it on.
5. Reconnect the device(s) (one at a time if there is more than one) and test. Test with each port if you have more than one.

 

If an individual third-party device leads to the issue, contact the manufacturer for more information and further assistance.

NOTE: Some users who try FW reset forget that "all" cables include the power cable.  Disconnecting power is important.

(2) If your troubleshooting shows that your external iSight itself is the problem, you can decide whether you want to have your old serviced.  If you do not have access to a local Apple-Authorized Service Provider, you can obtain cost and Apple contact info from http://www.apple.com/support/isight/service/

(3) Rather than spend more money on your old iSight, you may decide to consider a new webcam.  A new Mac compatible USB connected cam with a current warranty will be a faster fix, and it may be lower cost.  Some examples are at http://mac-compatible-web-cam.com. Moreover, compatible USB connected cams are not subject to all the same conflicts that sometimes effect external iSight.

Unless you already have a separate microphone for your mini, you can decide whether to buy separate mic or look for a new camera that has an inbuilt mic.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.3

Well done on your troubleshooting methodology and conclusions!

Properly applying the Combo version of updates can sometimes correct software problems.  While you wait to run your remaining tests, you can try applying the latest ML Combo Update as follows:

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

   download and apply the latest Combo Update.  For your Mac OS,

   the current one is 10.8.3 at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1640

• Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart

   that completes the Combo update.

If neither the Combo Update nor the other tests you have planned resolve your problem, and if you decide to keep trying to use your old iSight with your new min, my only remaining suggestion is to contact an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for professional help.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.3

Try this solution from http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=376766:

I could not get my audio to work then i came across this post and now the isight camera audio works

i was able to update my FireWire iSight to 1.0.3 under Leopard and this seems to have fixed the microphone problem. The iSight had 1.0.2 on it. We have this problem on at least 3 cameras.

I didn't have a 10.3.x system around, but was able to open the iSightUpdater103.pkg file by right clicking and selecting "Show Package Contents". Inside is a file called Archive.pax.gz. Double clicking created ~/Downloads/Applications/Utilities/iSight Updater 1.0.3/iSight Updater 1.0.3.app. I ran this and it updated the iSight with no hitches.

Hope this helps

Dominic

This solution has to be done on Leopard or older OS but once the firmware is upgraded, it should work on all OS's.

Excellent. I'm glad it worked!