Saundhaus
Level 1 (85 points)

Q: Isight stopped working 10.9.4

The camera had been working fine with FaceTime, Photo Booth and Skype under 10.9.4 and then something happened. I run FaceTime and the camera screen comes up, but it's black with no sidebar. I had this happen once before when the serial number hadn't been put back after they replaced the motherboard. It's back in now and was working fine. I did have to install Google hangouts plug in, but FaceTime was working fine after that and I've since uninstalled it after FaceTime stopped working and it still doesn't work.

 

I did have AirParrot and SoundFlower installed which the camera worked with, but uninstalled them as I saw something about a possible problem. I've reset SMU and PRAM, nothing.

 

Permissions have been checked and checked again and there's no problem. The mac sees the camera as being there so it shouldn't be a camera problem, but the apps while seeing the camera aren't getting any input [and no it's not blocked. ]

 

Eric

iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), 2.4GHz Core Duo/4Gb Ram/320 HD

Posted on Sep 7, 2014 6:09 PM

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Saundhaus

Q: Isight stopped working 10.9.4

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  • Helpful answers

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed Sep 7, 2014 6:25 PM in response to Saundhaus
    Level 7 (27,755 points)
    Sep 7, 2014 6:25 PM in response to Saundhaus

    Intel iMac require resetting the SMC, which is slightly different than resetting the SMU or PMU.

     

    For more, click on > How to Troubleshoot iSight

  • by Saundhaus,

    Saundhaus Saundhaus Sep 7, 2014 6:56 PM in response to den.thed
    Level 1 (85 points)
    Sep 7, 2014 6:56 PM in response to den.thed

    My bad. I meant SMC, not SMU. I've also been through all the troubleshooting as well.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 7, 2014 7:42 PM in response to Saundhaus
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Sep 7, 2014 7:42 PM in response to Saundhaus

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.

    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.

    Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

    The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed Sep 7, 2014 7:47 PM in response to Saundhaus
    Level 7 (27,755 points)
    Sep 7, 2014 7:47 PM in response to Saundhaus

    Seems like good time to make a service appointment.

     

    Screen Shot 2014-09-07 at 7.42.20 PM.jpg

     

    Apple - Support - Service Answer Center

  • by Saundhaus,

    Saundhaus Saundhaus Sep 7, 2014 8:40 PM in response to Saundhaus
    Level 1 (85 points)
    Sep 7, 2014 8:40 PM in response to Saundhaus

    Actually I solved the problem myself in the end.

     

    Apple's rules for reseting the SMC for desktops apparently isn't right. I've done it several times:

     

    1. Shutdown computer

    2. Unplug Power Cord

    3. Wait 15 seconds

    4. Put in power cord

    5. Start up computer.

     

    That's not right. When you have the power cord out you have to press and hold the power button for 5 seconds THEN plug it back in and start it up. Everything works fine now.