Solved Windows 7 can't use my webcam after reinstall

[Kraix]

I recently installed the RTM version of Windows 8 to see how it is and after a while i went back to Windows 7. My webcam wasn't working on windows 8, but i assumed it was because it hasn't been finished yet and because my camera might pe incompatible.
After i reinstalled Windows 7, i still can't use my webcam, but before i installed win8 it worked perfectly. Can anyone help with a solution?

Thanks.

 

[AC]

Do you have the latest driver for it? Can you completely fill out your system specs please?http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html#post1530002

 

[Kraix]

Sorry, forgot to mention that my webcam isn't made by a very popular brand and there are no drivers for win7 for it. I assumed i am doing something wrong as it worked before and now it doesn't.

Anyway, here are the specs :
MB : Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. GA-MA770-UD3
BIOS : Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
OS : Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
(I don't think the rest are relevant)

And the camera is TechPoint and the only driver i have is for WinXP, but it worked on Win7 for almost 2 years and now it suddenly doesn't.

 

[AC]

Have you reinstalled the driver? And yes, the rest would be nice. (Credit to karlsnooks for this)

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Ø Manufacturer and Model OR Custom build.
Ø ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

With Speccy, you can select with your mouse/touchpad info from the display
and paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.

 

[Kraix]

Sorry for that, I entered all info.
Yes, i tried reinstalling the driver several times, tried plugging it in again and I even tried installing the driver from a newer model that has a Vista driver and it still didn't work.
I really can't remember what i did to make it work the last time. Could it be because of SP1 ? I don't think i had it last time i installed it.

 

[AC]

How to uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
You might try uninstalling and see what it does.

 

[Kraix]

This is so frustrating :

1. I uninstalled SP1
2. I unplugged the camera (the driver uninstall required so)
3. I uninstalled the driver
4. Plugged the camera back in (Windows couldn't find any driver for it)
5. Installed the driver on the CD
6. Still nothing.

I think it would work if i could somehow convine windows to read the driver as if it were on vista because the driver is for Windows Vista. (Running the setup in compatibility mode did nothing)

If there is nothing else i can do, thank you very much for trying to help me.

 

[AC]

Can you try running in compatibility mode for XP?

 

[Kraix]

I already did that. I tried with all XP and Vista service packs, but i had no luck. I think Win7 simply doesn't accept my webcam, even though it worked before.
A while ago i tried running the webcam on a virtual machine with WinXP and it worked, but because it was a virtual machine it was very laggy, but atleast now i'm sure it isn't broken. It just isn't compatible.
If you have any idea, i'm glad to try it. Otherwise, thanks again.

 

[AC]

What's the exact make and model of the camera?

 

[Kraix]

What's the exact make and model of the camera?

TechPoint TPW02

 

[AC]

Argh! I can't find anything about it on Windows 7. Was there an OS installed before Windows 7?

 

[Kraix]

I had Win8 for about a week (which is when the camera stopped working) and then i changed back to Win7 and it still didn't work.

 

[AC]

No, before the initial W7, before you had 8.

 

[Kraix]

Well, yeah. I also had Ubuntu for a while (don't think this made any difference) and Win XP before the launch of Win7, but that was a long time ago.

 

[AC]

Did you have the camera while you where on XP?

 

[Kraix]

Yes, i had absolutely no problem with it on XP. The problem only appeared after i installed Win8.
Only now i realise something that might have been important. Up until Win8, i had only 32bit OS. Win8 was the first 64bit OS i installed. Damn, i'm stupid. Could this be it?

 

[derekimo]

Yes, i had absolutely no problem with it on XP. The problem only appeared after i installed Win8.
Only now i realise something that might have been important. Up until Win8, i had only 32bit OS. Win8 was the first 64bit OS i installed. Damn, i'm stupid. Could this be it?

That very well could be your problem...no 64bit drivers available.

 

[AC]

That might be it. It might be only compatible with 32 bit. And I see you have 64 bit installed. That might be your problem. If you want to try and reinstall x32, follow the W7 clean install link in my sig.

 

[gregrocker]

I prefer to install 32 bit on 4gb RAM or less. Some is already apportioned to the hardware, as shown on the Memory Chart in Resource Monitor:

click to enlarge

Latest installer and steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 are same for retail.