Webcam locked by another application

[eurogeek]

Ive been running my Toshiba L500 Laptop without any problems for nearly 9 months, however now whenever i try to launch my webcam im informed taht it has been locked by another application, I've updated the drivers etc but to no avail, anyone out there that can help me please.

 

[richc46]

Try a clean boot. If webcam works with clean boot, put back a few services at a time to determine the problem. Report back and we will see if we can fix it.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

 

[Skulblaka]

Perhaps there is another program which manages your Webcam, try to disable one of them. Or simply attempt to disable each start up program until there is no error message.

 

[Harvey Meale]

Hi eurogeek,

This should not be happening. I believe that there's some form of malware on your system preventing you from doing this. Can you post the exact error message you get when attempting to start your webcam please? Also, does this happen during IM/Skype calls or when you open the actual webcam center software?

Lastly, could you please post a screenshot of your 'Task Manager' showing the 'Processes' please?

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

 

[eurogeek]

Hi,

please find attached dumps of screen and error messaage as requested

Derek

 

[Harvey Meale]

Hi eurogeek,

Your Task Manager looks fine, which leads me to believe there's something more latent here. Could you please tell me if you experience this every time you engage in a call (Skype) or if it only occurs through your webcam center software?

Presuming everything else is running correctly, I'd like to inquire as to whether or not you've run any antivirus or anti-malware scans recently. If not, I'd strongly recommend proceeding with these instructions.

I'd like to ask you to download and install an application known as Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, as it will be a necessary tool for cleaning your system.

• Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - Please use this link or the previous hyperlink (see above) to avoid downloading incorrect and potentially harmful software.

Please execute the following instructions:

• Double-click the 'mbam-setup.exe' file to install this application.
• Ensure a check mark is placed in the radio box next to 'Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware' and please also make sure that there is a check mark in the radio box next to 'Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware'
• Click 'Finish'
  
  • Note: If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version. Please do not interrupt this process.
• Once the program has loaded, please ensure a check mark is placed in the radio box next to 'Perform Full Scan' (not Perform Quick Scan) and proceed by clicking on 'Scan'.
  
  • Note: The scan may take some time, so please be patient and wait for it to finish. Please stop all current downloads while your scan is in progress, as this may corrupt the results.
• When the scan is complete, click 'OK' and then click 'Show Results' to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and proceed by clicking 'Remove Selected'
• Once disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to restart your machine. If you are asked to restart, please do so.
  
  • Note: The log is automatically saved by Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and can be viewed by clicking on the 'Logs' tab in the main interface.

If you could post the log here afterward, it'd be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale