Wendy Dunham
Level 1 (10 points)

Q: FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in) has corrupt Serial Number

I have an iMac 27 inch (late 2013) and the FaceTime HD camera used to work.  But now it no longer functions, the light no longer comes on, and the mic also no longer works. The camera does show up under System Hardware overview, however, the Seial Number is corrupt, compared with my Thunderbolt Display FaceTime HD Camera:

 

FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in):

 

  Product ID: 0x8511

  Vendor ID: 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)

  Version: 72.30

  Serial Number: øë_î z¼i |v14

  Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec

  Manufacturer: Apple Inc.

  Location ID: 0x14700000 / 3

  Current Available (mA): 500

  Current Required (mA): 500

  Built-In: Yes

 

FaceTime HD Camera (Display):

 

  Product ID: 0x1112

  Vendor ID: 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.)

  Version: 71.60

  Serial Number: CC***********DFX

  Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec

  Manufacturer: Apple Inc.

  Location ID: 0x80150000 / 4

  Current Available (mA): 500

  Current Required (mA): 500

 

I'm not sure if this happened as a result of upgrading to Yosemite (as several others have reported non functioning FaceTime HD Cameras afterwards) or if it somehow occurred several months ago after an Apple authorized repair of a broken internal spring that holds & maintains the attitude of the monitor stand, where they had to disable the iMac.

 

After trying Combo Updates, PRAM, Permissions repair, Disk Utility, Hardware Tester and every other suggestion on Apple Discussions to no avail, my question is:

 

Do I have to take this into Apple for repair again, or is there a way to fix that corrupted serial number?  I'm pretty convinced that corrupted serial number is the smoking gun as to why this camera shows up in hardware but fails to operate after selected by any video app including QuickTime, ScreenFlow, Final Cut Pro X.

 

<Edited by Host>

Posted on May 23, 2015 11:41 AM

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Wendy Dunham

Q: FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in) has corrupt Serial Number

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  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim May 23, 2015 12:53 PM in response to Wendy Dunham
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    May 23, 2015 12:53 PM in response to Wendy Dunham

    Hello Wendy.

     

    You have certainly been thorough in your troubleshooting and fix attempts.  I think you have correctly identified your corrupted serial number as one more symptom of your camera failure.

     

    Having tried Combo Updates, PRAM, Permissions repair, Disk Utility, Hardware Tester and every other suggestion on Apple Discussions to no avail, contacting Apple or your Apple Authorized Service Provider for service is all that is left to do.  The service tech will be able to fix your problem with the least possible additional disruption for you.  Be sure to have a current backup of all your important files before tendering your iMac for service.


    Before you leave the repair facility to take your iMac home, I also suggest that you look at the serial number in System Information and ask for a demonstration of the camera, mic, and green camera indicator light.

     

    For possible benefit of future readers who might encounter a similar problem, when your iMac is working again, please post back and let us know what the Apple Techs did to correct your problem.

     

    Cheers,

    EZ Jim

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

    Mac OSX 10.10.3