HP Pavilion g7 1070us Webcam not Listed in Device Driver

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Hi Loungers,

I’ve been researching this and trying several “fixes”, but still can’t get the webcam to work.

I did determine the driver is the correct updated one.

There is no listing for “Imaging Devices” anywhere in Device Driver, even after clicking “show hidden devices”. Also tried turning off the laptop, removing AC once it turned off; holding down power button for 15 seconds; reinserting AC and starting again. I did not remove the battery as advised since it is dead and we’ve been running on AC for months.

When the YouCam (Cyberlink YouCam 5) is opened from the start button list,  it says “no webcam detected’ and to turn it on if the webcam is integrated. Of course, I can’t turn anything on because I can’t find it. Ha.

The webcam has acted up a bit in the past although we haven’t tried to use it for a year or more. Right now, with COVID, of course, we need to have it working for video meetings.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get this working? Or does what I’ve tried so far suggest the thing has died? The laptop is 9 years old.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

Linda

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Does it work on another PC?

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Likely it has failed.  You can buy a new one for about $30 Cdn at Amazon.  That’s less than $25 USD.  Some very nice ones for that kind of price.

CT

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PKCano It’s built in to the laptop so I can’t try it on my PC. Apologies for not making that clear.

Canadian Tech Do you mean purchase an external webcam?

Linda

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Yes.  For sure.  They are designed to perch atop the screen.  Works just as well on a separate monitor on a desktop PC.  This example on amazon Canada web site for $26 Cdn.

https://www.amazon.ca/Microphone-Webcam-Noise-Reduction-105%C2%B0Wide-Angle-Streaming/dp/B0896VS4JH/ref=sr_1_30?dchild=1&keywords=webcam&qid=1598303044&sr=8-30

Most install without a driver and simply work.  Most all these new ones have much better images than the laptop built-in ones.  Added advantage that you can move it to another computer should want to.

I use one myself and many of my clients do too.

Early failure of laptop webcams and also DVD drives are common.  Both have relatively inexpensive, usually superior alternatives.

CT

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Hi again, Canadian Tech,

Not sure you’ll see this since it’s in an older thread, but …

Getting close to purchasing a webcam and had a couple of questions about the one you suggested. Reading the Amazon reviews only confused me!

The price is certainly appealing ($30 USD).

We will be using it primarily for Zoom sales calls and customer/prospect interviews.

Given these uses:

• Are the video quality and the sound quality adequate?

If so, it sounds ideal and the fact you, a Woody MVP, recommended it is a definite plus!

Thanks for your input on our decision,

Linda

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IME any cheap USB camera that has the right clip / sticky bit to attach to your PC is fine. Video quality does not need to be high, just good enough to see the person you are speaking to – video quality is determined more by link speed / delay than the camera.

I’d look carefully at where the camera will be located and choose one on the basis of the right method of keeping it in place.
A clip for your laptop, a flat base for the top of your PC, stick on to poke over the top of your monitor.

And  pay special attention to the background in your video call before you setup the call.

cheers, Paul

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Paul, thanks for this. I somehow missed it until just now so apologies for my tardy response!

A couple of further questions based on your advice:

1. I hope to be able to use it on both my PC monitor and the laptop. Would a clip work for the top of my PC monitor as well?
2. Would I need a separate microphone or does the built-in one usually suffice?

Thanks, too, for seeing this query and replying.

Linda

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Being able to swap between machines can be tricky. Maybe a clip-on unit that fits the laptop, then stick a bit of hard plastic on your monitor/computer to clip it onto.

The microphones in the cheap units are fine for the 600mm distance to you, but will not be good in an acoustically bright or noisy room.
You may find that a small tube around the mike is all you need to remove the extraneous noise. Make a 10mm long and wide tube out of a bit of paper and some sticky tape. Stick it to the camera around the mike and see how it fares.

cheers, Paul

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[IreneLinda]

Paul, what terrific suggestions! I love how you think in order to save some money, an important issue these days.

Will definitely see if I can make the unit fit on the monitor with the understanding it may not work. And your idea to improve sound if the home office proves acoustically deficient is perfect.

Once we get the camera ordered and working, I’ll post back on results.

Many thanks,

Linda

• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by IreneLinda.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by IreneLinda.

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That’s great, Canadian Tech. Really helps to know that this solution would work even better than the factory installed one…and I can switch it to my PC as well when needed. I love that it is so simple to install. Thanks so much for the information and your link.

Early failure of laptop webcams and also DVD drives are common. Both have relatively inexpensive, usually superior alternatives.

Very interesting to know this is a common occurrence. And that new ones are quite inexpensive.

I’m going to stop frustrating myself searching for how to fix the blasted webcam and work on purchasing a new one.

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

Linda

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since the old webcam is built into that HP laptop, you may as well have the laptop repaired at a local PC computer repair shop since they have technicians that can “replace” the internal webcam.

I saw similar posts in the HP support forums of the webcam not being detected:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebooks-Archive-Read-Only/Pavilion-G7-webcam-not-detected/td-p/2283443

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebooks-Archive-Read-Only/Why-does-my-computer-tell-me-NO-WEBCAM-detected-when-it-is/td-p/1742073

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EP, thanks for your suggestion. The reason I’m going for a separate webcam right now is that the laptop is on its last legs … not worth putting money out for a camera repair and not able to purchase a new laptop right now.

Linda

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Hello again,

Not sure whether I should start a new thread, but thought I’d try here first since this new post is related.

Before Christmas, the laptop webcam surprisingly worked in a Zoom call. As a result, we put off purchasing a replacement. Today we did some more testing to determine status and need for a new webcam.

First checked Device Manager: Cyberlink webcam is listed and is apparently working.

Started a new Zoom test meeting and the video worked showing the top of my head. To get a better angle I tilted the screen forward a bit to a 90 degree angle … and the video stopped. This happened each time I retested. Also tried having screen at the 90 degree angle before starting the “meeting” with the same result.

So obviously something is wrong. The webcam is operating inconsistently if at all.

Does this behaviour suggest a cause to any Lounger? Does this mean either repair (by technician) or purchase a portable one?

Thanks for any suggestions! And Happy New Year.

Linda

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Webcams are not expensive, typically work much better than the built-in one and are portable. I buy them for my clients on Amazon for $30. They are small and just sit on top of the screen.

CT

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IreneLinda wrote:

tilted the screen forward a bit to a 90 degree angle … and the video stopped

Sounds like dodgy wiring / circuit board. Time for a standalone camera.
Get the laptop one working and then disable it in Device Manager – don’t want it to start mid call.

cheers, Paul

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Thanks Canadian Tech and Paul. Sorry I’m late replying … somehow the notification email didn’t arrive to let me know you’d replied!

I agree with both of you. Time to buy that standalone camera! Thanks to this forum I’ve got suggestions for good and inexpensive ones to try.

Appreciate the tip about turning off the built in one, Paul!

Will post back once all is ready to let you know what we buy and how it all works out.

Many thanks,

Linda

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Here’s my update (at last) with some issues (apologies for the details, but want you to know what I’ve done):

• Purchased JoyAccess webcam as suggested but having challenges installing it on laptop
• It works because I could install it just fine on the PC, which is not its ultimate destination
• It is listed in Device Manager on laptop but an online webcam test says it can’t detect the camera
• I uninstalled the built-in webcam in case it was interfering (although it isn’t working and wasn’t listed in Device Manager)
• Tried uninstalling the new webcam (right click on it in Device Manager) and starting again
• I can’t seem to get the options that came up the first time I installed it. At that time, it had a list of 3: the top said it was “ready to use”, the next 2 were searching for drivers: the third got a check mark but the second has an X.
• So I tried “Update drivers” on the list that appeared when I right clicked the webcam in Device Manager. It just searches and searches and never gets anywhere (so far, after a lot of minutes)

When I reviewed the specs on the product site, it boasts it doesn’t need drivers but it certainly seems to.

If anyone can help me get this working, I sure would be grateful!! Right now “plug and play” worked only on the PC; on the laptop it’s been “plug and panic”, not to mention scream after over 2 hours trying to get it to work.

Thanks,

Linda

 

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So, diagnostically speaking, the problem is the laptop, not the webcam or its drivers:

In device manager, DISABLE, not uninstall the internal webcam. Uninstall will just re-install on next boot up.

In Win7 usually, the system will install the correct driver without any searching or otherwise provided drivers. I am not familiar with that particular one, but every one I have seen worked that way.

CT

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Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, Canadian Tech.

That is not great news if it is the laptop. Is there anything further I can try?

In device manager, DISABLE, not uninstall the internal webcam. Uninstall will just re-install on next boot up.

To clarify, I uninstalled the internal one via Uninstall in Programs as it never shows up in Device Manager.

In Win7 usually, the system will install the correct driver without any searching…

Yeah, I think that’s what happened in the PC.

Linda

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The uninstall in Programs uninstalls PROGRAMS, not drivers. I would re-install the internal one, then disable.

If you will give me a lot more info, I will look at the issue more broadly:

2. Age of computer
3. make/model
4. What processor is installed
5. Operating system installed (e.g. Windows 7)
6. 32 or 64 bit? (Right-click on Computer, choose Properties)
7. Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed? Same place as 5 above.
8. Capacity of disk drive, how much is in use? Pie chart shown in Computer
9. Model number of hard drive (click Disk in Device Manager)
10. If Windows has ever been re-installed since it was new, when was that?
11. Age of hard drive if not the original
12. How much memory is installed? (Right-click on Computer, choose Properties)
13. Please list ALL installed programs…..
14. What security software is installed?
15. Is your internet service wireless or wired?

CT

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Okay, Canadian Tech. Here goes …

2. Age of computer – 2011
3. make/model – HP Pavilion g7-1070us
4. What processor is installed – Intel i3 Core
5. Operating system installed (e.g. Windows 7) Windows 7
6. 32 or 64 bit? (Right-click on Computer, choose Properties) – 64 bit
7. Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed? Same place as 5 above.-  SP1
8. Capacity of disk drive, how much is in use? Pie chart shown in Computer – 148 GB free of 232 GB
9. Model number of hard drive (click Disk in Device Manager) New-ish SSD #CT250MX500SSD1
10. If Windows has ever been re-installed since it was new, when was that? No, original installation
11. Age of hard drive if not the original – 4 1/2 years
12. How much memory is installed? (Right-click on Computer, choose Properties) 4.00 GB (3.80 GB Usable)
13. Please list ALL installed programs….. See attached jpg
14. What security software is installed? Only Windows Security Essentials
15. Is your internet service wireless or wired? Wireless

Please let me know if I can send any other info that would be helpful. Really appreciate your digging into this so deeply for me!

Linda

 

 

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Thank you for providing all the details.

Let’s start by recognizing that this is a very old laptop. Life expectancy of laptops is about 5 years. Although, it looks like someone did a nice refresh 4.5 years ago.

Assuming everything is otherwise in good shape, I would do a Windows 7 re-install. I am deeply suspicious of Windows Update for Win7, especially over the last several years.

https://www.askwoody.com/2019/canadian-tech-how-to-rebuild-a-win7-system-with-minimal-snooping/

If you will precisely follow my detailed directions in this post, I am pretty confident this problem will go away. As well, I suspect performance would be greatly enhanced.

It is also possible that SSID is wearing out. I would run software to check that before I did anything like a re-install.

CT

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That sounds worth doing and you have provided detailed instructions which will really help. I know the best solution is a new laptop, but it’s just not in the budget.

I check disk health every morning with Hard Disk Sentinel. It rates the SSD with excellent performance and almost perfect health (almost because I didn’t realize you had to disable defrag on an SSD so it ran for 2 or 3 years with that enabled).

Should I run some other disk health check as well and, if so, is there one you would recommend?

Thanks so much for all the time and help you are offering!!

Linda

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Sounds like Sentinel says its good. Please feel free to come back for more help if you need it. I cannot emphasize enough the need to follow my directions precisely. The key to my strategy is it is based on the premise that Windows Update is not needed after May 2017. I have over 100 Win7 clients that have been running on that premise for 4 years now and there has yet to be a single infection or problem of any kind.

I strongly encourage you to install a better antivirus program. My clients use Bit Defender Antivirus + exclusively. No, I do not mean Bit Defender Security.

Also, consider making the system image as described.

CT

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Okay, sounds good. I was about to ask you if I would have to download all of the Windows updates once I’d reinstalled Windows, but you’ve answered that … and I’m glad it won’t be an issue.

I’ll take some time to review your instructions and post back any questions I have before I get started. Thank you for your offer to ask for further clarification as I go along should I need it. It really helps to have a technical guide in the background when I’m not technical!!

Back to you once I’ve absorbed your instructions …

UPDATE: Well, I don’t have the original install disk as the laptop came with it installed. Are all those disks I was asked to make on starting it up of any use for this?

Linda

 

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IreneLinda wrote:

UPDATE: Well, I don’t have the original install disk as the laptop came with it installed. Are all those disks I was asked to make on starting it up of any use for this?

Original disks as in Windows 7?

cheers, Paul

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You can borrow one. Brand does not matter only that it be for the same edition (home, pro, 32, 64) as your original factory install.

CT

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CT, would the disk I mentioned to Paul be of any use? I reviewed your detailed re-install instructions, but they totally intimidated me! Love the idea, but not sure I have the technical chops to carry it out!

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Paul, what I meant was that I was asked to create disks when I first started the laptop with its factory installed Windows 7. I have a disk labelled “Repair Disk Windows 7 – 64 Bit, Laptop” that I created when I set up the laptop. Would it be any good to “fix” the install?

Linda

P.S. Sorry this is late.

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Some computer manufacturers include instructions to create sets of DVD’s that can be used to restore the factory configuration. That is almost always a set of multiple DVD’s. One of the advantages of that set is that it can restore the factory image even on a new drive.

Windows 7 itself has a app to create a “System Repair Disk”. your description tells me that is what that disk does.

The System Repair Disk can be very useful when the OS on the drive will not boot. To use it, you need to insert the disk in the CD drive, start the computer and then direct it to boot from the CD. To do that you need to get a “boot order” list that allows you to select the CD. Many computers will do that when you repeatedly press F12 at start up.

When the system boots on the System Repair Disk, it loads an OS from the disk and then will offer you repair options.

The System Repair Disk will NOT re-install Windows 7.

CT

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Canadian Tech, thanks for your explanations.

Some computer manufacturers include instructions to create sets of DVD’s that can be used to restore the factory configuration. That is almost always a set of multiple DVD’s.

Yes, I have those DVDs as well. There are 3 of them. They seem to be for the PC but it has the same OS as the laptop.

Question/Confirmation

1. Would they reinstall Windows 7, at least in its 2011 version?
2. The Repair Disk is only used to boot and so won’t help me. Correct?

Thanks,

Linda

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1 yes 2 yes

The 3 disk set you made way back will simply restore precisely what was on the PC when it left the factory.

I strongly encourage you to consider replacing the SSD first.

I must prepare you, sometimes those DVD’s will not work. Once restored, you will have a lot of work to do. Now is the time to follow the Windows Update strategy that i recommended. Also, it is likely that there were a bunch of unwanted software programs that were on it as it came from the factory. You may want to uninstall them first.

CT

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Okay, got it. Good news is that I might be okay with the DVDs (provided they work).

You’re right … there will be a lot of unwanted programs to delete!

I strongly encourage you to consider replacing the SSD first.

The hard drive is fairly new (installed about 2 years ago) and is  “Excellent” according to HD Sentinel. Could I get by without replacing it?

Thanks again for all your advice.

Linda

 

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Stati gathered from the posts above –

Built-in webcam not detected.
– But it did work for awhile (reported Jan 3) when laptop lid was at a certain angle.
– Uncertain if problem (per other internet research) is loose connection, or bad cable.
New external webcam works fine on a desktop.
There is uncertainty as to status of device drivers on laptop; may be (some) missing.
Recommendation has been made to do Win 7 reinstall. This would be a big job.

Suggestion –
– (More convenient if laptop can be moved to be adjacent to desktop.)
Connect webcam to desktop. In Device Manager, make list of (or look at) Driver files.
On laptop, see if the files are present; most likely in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\… .
Since both computers are Win 7, copy missing files from desktop to laptop.
Restart laptop.
{Optional: see if native webcam is detected at (formerly OK) lid angle.
– If it is detected, and works, in Device Manager: Disable it.}
Connect external webcam to laptop.
Is it detected, and works?

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