I Need Help from any computer geeks!

[sunnygrl]

This has absolutely nothing to do with Mexico!!! But I'm pulling my hair out over this!!
We bought a new Dell XPS 400 with Media Center 2005 in January, 2006. It's great. We've always had a Dell and never anything else over the last several years.

I wanted a webcam. Here's my problem. I bought a Logitech Quickcam Fusion. Installed it and my computer crashed!!! Not once, but several times!!! Blue screen over and over. I had read that there was a compatibility issue that they are working on. OK.
We ended up taking the webcam back and swapping it for a Creative Labs Live! Ultra. No blue screen this time, but we've gotten word that there was a problem with the installation on our "new hardware found". When we have the webcam screen come up, it just says that there's no plug in found and to plug in our USB to continue. I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times. We've done the "clean boot" (where all programs are shut off). In the installation message are 2 different things to install. One is just the ultra and the other is with the ultra drivers. I thought there might be a conflict with the drivers so I unchecked the "ultra drivers". Still no sucess. I'm ready to give up!!! Is it something with Dell or the Media Center? BTW. I decided to install it on my son's computer and it worked just fine!

I'm ready to take this one back and exchange it for Microsofts new LifeCam VX-6000? (Just out!)
I have an extremely rudimentary knowledge about drivers, BIOS and such. We have never had a problem loading programs on any of our other computers. We thought there might be a conflict with our Kodak easyshare. But I don't think so.

Anyone have any ideas? Of course, Dell wants to charge us to check things out. I'd really like to solve this without them. If possible.

Any help or insight would sooooo much be appreciated! I just don't understand!!!

[Mikey]

May I suggest the Logitech Pro 4000 or 5000.....I have used them both for the web casts that I have done from Playa and they work with no problems....I use them on my XPS and Toshiba laptops....Have you tried any other usb devices with your laptop and gotten the blue screen?

[YWGDon&Deb]

You could try going to Windows Update for the latest patches and drivers for your computer...

[sunnygrl]

Thanks peeps.
Mikey, I knew I could count on you! I haven't tried the lesser versions. Do you think they would work? It's not a laptop. Which is one reason why this has me stymied! I've not tried it on any other computer, laptop or otherwise. (I already took the Logitech Fusion version back to the store). Unfortunately, I didn't try the Logitech Fusion on my son's computer like I did the Creative Labs. Now that I think about it, I don't think we've done any installations with our USB 2.0. Unless you count our Kodak easyshare.
Don and Deb, I did think of that...but I think we have the latest. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, again.

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by sunnygrl

Thanks peeps.
Mikey, I knew I could count on you! I haven't tried the lesser versions. Do you think they would work? It's not a laptop. Which is one reason why this has me stymied! I've not tried it on any other computer, laptop or otherwise. (I already took the Logitech Fusion version back to the store). Unfortunately, I didn't try the Logitech Fusion on my son's computer like I did the Creative Labs. Now that I think about it, I don't think we've done any installations with our USB 2.0. Unless you count our Kodak easyshare.
Don and Deb, I did think of that...but I think we have the latest. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, again.

Well they both work on my XPS pc also.....You might go to the site where you can download the latest drivers for your cam....Save it to a folder on your desktop and try reinstalling.....When I installed the logitech Pro cams which I am a huge fan of into the laptop or the PC the installation box pops up and says check the internet then gives you the option to use the disk that came with the cam.....When you plug yours in to the usb port is that when you get the blue screen...I am also running XP with media center on all my computers so there is no conflict there......

[james]

the issue likely has nothing to do with the computer being a Dell but the installation of the drivers, which drivers you used (normally newer ones are available on the manufacturer's website) and the fact that you are running Media Center Edition. As Don mentioned, get all your updates (it's probably set to do this automatically), use the latest camera driver, and read the installation instructions. Some gear can be picky at install; requiring you to install before the camera is attached. HTH.

[YWGDon&Deb]

Originally Posted by james

... read the installation instructions. Some gear can be picky at install; requiring you to install before the camera is attached.

James is right on. I forgot about this from my own experience installing my Logitech QuickCam Express a few years ago. The instructions were very blunt about connecting the camera only at the specified point in the installation process!

I played by the rules and had no issues. Hope you are making progress with this!

[JimmyMN]

When I first read your message, I suspected that Logitech doesn't include drivers for the new (and somewhat lame) XP Media Center Edition of Windows. So, I checked Logitech's website and also did a search. Here is an excerpt from Cnet:

APRIL 2006
When I purchased this webcam, there was nothing on Logitech's site which said the cam would not work on the Media Center Edition of XP. When it failed to install after multiple attempts, I contacted Logitech and they apoligized, and let me know that none of their webcams work with MCE XP.

Jimmy

[sunnygrl]

Originally Posted by YWGDon&Deb

James is right on. I forgot about this from my own experience installing my Logitech QuickCam Express a few years ago. The instructions were very blunt about connecting the camera only at the specified point in the installation process!

I played by the rules and had no issues. Hope you are making progress with this!

Yeah, I did exactly what I was instructed to do. Never plugged in the USB until told to do so. In fact, on Microsoft's plug is a covering saying do not remove and plug in until the software is installed.

An update: Returned the Creative Labs Ultra and bought the new Microsoft VX-6000. FAILURE! Again got the message that there was a problem with the installation and it might not work properly in my "new hardware found" box. A screen kept saying to plug in my USB. I had already done that. Sooooo, another trip to the store where I bought it. (Not good for saving gas! ) Talked to the computer geeks at the store. Said they would install it and to bring in the computer. Well, we did. They can't figure it out either. They've done a search and said they would have to contact Dell, because an "INX" (?) file was not found. Does that ring a bell with anyone? Anyway, I've left my computer with these guys, hoping and thinking we haven't made a huge mistake!!!! We have other USB 2.0 plugs in our computer, so why would this one be an issue? I told the tech guy to maybe install another webcam that only uses a 1.0 USB plug and see if that makes any difference. I just don't know what to make of it. Have never had a problem with any computers like this.

One thing we did read about the Logitech in particular was that the SigmaTel audio/mic had to be disabled for theirs to be installed. This was after we had already returned the webcam. So didn't get to try it out.

This is really driving me crazy. I love problem solving and nothing I'm doing is working out. I'm on my son's computer now. I think I've finally realized I'm addicted.

Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it. Just keep your fingers crossed I get my computer back, at least the way I left it. I don't have to have a webcam.

[sunnygrl]

Originally Posted by JimmyMN

When I first read your message, I suspected that Logitech doesn't include drivers for the new (and somewhat lame) XP Media Center Edition of Windows. So, I checked Logitech's website and also did a search. Here is an excerpt from Cnet:

APRIL 2006
When I purchased this webcam, there was nothing on Logitech's site which said the cam would not work on the Media Center Edition of XP. When it failed to install after multiple attempts, I contacted Logitech and they apoligized, and let me know that none of their webcams work with MCE XP.

Jimmy

Thanks, Jimmy. I'm going to check out CNet now for any further comments.

[JimmyMN]

Originally Posted by sunnygrl

Thanks, Jimmy. I'm going to check out CNet now for any further comments.

From the forum threads I've scoured, it's not necessarily a driver problem. Seems that the associated application software from Logitech appears to be incompatable with XP Media Center Edition.

Well, I hope you didn't take your computer to BestBuy's Geek Squad!

Jimmy

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by JimmyMN

When I first read your message, I suspected that Logitech doesn't include drivers for the new (and somewhat lame) XP Media Center Edition of Windows. So, I checked Logitech's website and also did a search. Here is an excerpt from Cnet:

APRIL 2006
When I purchased this webcam, there was nothing on Logitech's site which said the cam would not work on the Media Center Edition of XP. When it failed to install after multiple attempts, I contacted Logitech and they apoligized, and let me know that none of their webcams work with MCE XP.

Jimmy

I don't get that at all....I have XP Media center on all my computers and never had a problem with installing logitech cameras......Any cameras for that matter.....And have the Pro 4000-5000 and the Quickcam PTZ.....They all installed without any problems.......Ran the CD then when it asked to plug in the camera/cameras did and they worked.....

[JimmyMN]

Originally Posted by Mikey

I don't get that at all....I have XP Media center on all my computers and never had a problem with installing logitech cameras......Any cameras for that matter.....And have the Pro 4000-5000 and the Quickcam PTZ.....They all installed without any problems.......Ran the CD then when it asked to plug in the camera/cameras did and they worked.....

On the forum threads I perused, this particular failure seemed to be a somewhat common problem. Of course, it really doesn't surprise me that yours works. Dell is extremely aggressive in patching the BIOS to work around known problems. Since your computer was purchased more recently than SunnyGirls, it's possible that yours was included with a fix. Also, when someone does the automatic Microsoft Update, they don't get the hardware or software updates, only the critical security updates.

And... the BIOS patches and driver upgrades would be something extra you would download from Dell.

I have a rule for all of my business clients. Don't install any hardware from a CD until you've checked to see if there are newer drivers from the hardware vendor's website. Most computers are brought to their knees by out-dated software drivers...

Jimmy

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by JimmyMN

On the forum threads I perused, this particular failure seemed to be a somewhat common problem. Of course, it really doesn't surprise me that yours works. Dell is extremely aggressive in patching the BIOS to work around known problems. Since your computer was purchased more recently than SunnyGirls, it's possible that yours was included with a fix. Also, when someone does the automatic Microsoft Update, they don't get the hardware or software updates, only the critical security updates.

And... the BIOS patches and driver upgrades would be something extra you would download from Dell.

I have a rule for all of my business clients. Don't install any hardware from a CD until you've checked to see if there are newer drivers from the hardware vendor's website. Most computers are brought to their knees by out-dated software drivers...

Jimmy

Gotcha....That makes sense.....Thanks.

[sunnygrl]

Originally Posted by JimmyMN

On the forum threads I perused, this particular failure seemed to be a somewhat common problem. Of course, it really doesn't surprise me that yours works. Dell is extremely aggressive in patching the BIOS to work around known problems. Since your computer was purchased more recently than SunnyGirls, it's possible that yours was included with a fix. Also, when someone does the automatic Microsoft Update, they don't get the hardware or software updates, only the critical security updates.

And... the BIOS patches and driver upgrades would be something extra you would download from Dell.

I have a rule for all of my business clients. Don't install any hardware from a CD until you've checked to see if there are newer drivers from the hardware vendor's website. Most computers are brought to their knees by out-dated software drivers...

Jimmy

Yeah, makes sense to me, too. The Logitech we got the blue screen from said something about BIOS and device drivers. I did check the Dell site and saw there were some updates, I'm just not sure which ones I need for ours. Under the "drivers" updates were several. I have no idea which to pick. I did update the BIOS one as it was the only one they had and the date was after we got our computer.

And yes, to my horror and chagrin I let the geeks at Best Buy have a chance to install the Microsoft webcam VX-6000. It was the last one I bought. They got the same message. There deduction is our Kodak easyshare has completely taken over and deleted a file we need. INX or INS. The geeks couldn't find it. They tried to find a patch or fix for it, but couldn't do that either. They didn't "do" anything to our computer....thank God! I woke up at 3:30 this morning thinking our Dell would never be the same!! And I couldn't go back to sleep.
So our problem is still a mystery.

But I got our Dell back and it seems to be running great. Thanks for scaring the shite outta me, Jimmy. Never again.