My dell studio 17 has a built in camera/web cam and it used to work. now it says there is no supported device and computer searches cant find the hardware.

If you are using a Windows system, then you have to make sure you have the right driver for your web cam installed. Download the web cam driver for your Dell from their support website. This is the right driver for your laptop's webcam: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R213648&SystemID=STUDIO1537&servicetag=&os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=16027&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=4&catid=17&impid=-1&formatcnt=0&libid=17&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=302206

Hello sir, hi, you definitely need your CD with driver which came with your Dell laptop, Use the CD to install the webcam software driver and application. If you cant find the CD, go to DELL website www.dell.com and download the driver for your webcam, and hopefully the laptop/webcam supports windows 7. If not you may need to wait for the driver.

There is a program through the start menu. The file on mine is called Dell Web cam and you just have to register it before continue to the webcam.

Go to the camcorder's manufacturer's support website and download the software compatible with your operating system.

Software needed to convert the video format to that of your computer can accept or play.

^_^

you need to trouble shoot that if physically connected, and you can also check if that device detected on device manager.

Find the program to run your camera in your all programs menu.

I have a Dell 1545 with Dell web cam central & I've had this issue. The problem is that Dell web cam central installs it's own microphone settings onto your laptop called something like Dell web cam Live!. This isn't the built in microphone in my laptop & maybe not yours either. You have to change the settings for your computer system & Dell web cam central. Go to start> control panel> sound> recording .. on mine there is an option for Microphone "High Definition Audio Device" ... that is the built in mic. You want that for your default & apply it. Then open Dell web cam central & go to the "Record Video's" option. In the middle of this is an orange button with a video camera icon. Next to this on the same button is a little arrow pointing down .. click that. Under microphone .. choose Microphone "High Definition Audio Device" just like the sound option in control panel. I've done this & it's completely fixed. I can record videos with sound & use my built in mic in voice/video chat.

Locate your Cam in "Device Manager" and update or roll back the driver, whichever fixes it. Try one and if it doesn't do it try the other. You may also do a "Custom" Microsoft update if you are running windows and look under additional hardware updates to see if your Cam is listed, if so select the update and install them. Should get your Cam going again.

start / accessories / camera scanner wizard....

else use windows messanger.

Open My Computer.
Double click on USB video device in Scanners and Camera option.
See if your built in camera works.
If you have not finished a install related to webcam, you may reinstall it.