How to repair sony vaio VPCEA16FA laptop camera that is not working, no image shown everytime i am using yahoo messenger and skype..it only display the word "Arcsoft magic-i visual effect..even the person i am chating cannot see my camera either..please help me find solution for this..thank you

1. Check if Imaging Devices is listed in device manager.
2. Uninstall and reinstall the webcam companion software.

Use the Arcsoft Webcam Companion Software to use the camera to capture videos and pics. Click on start and type Webcam Companion in the search bar and press the enter key.
This will open the webcam companion software, then click on the capture option to use the camera. If you want to use the camera with any messaging software such as Skype, Yahoo Messenger etc, it is required to close the Webcam Companion Software or any other web messenger software.
The camera can be used with a single application at one time.

1. Verify if the webcam drivers and software is installed in the computer.
The WebCam Companion Software contains teh drivers for the camera.
2. If the WebCam Companion Software is available and there is an error message like, no camera detected or camera in use. Then, ensure to first singout from any third party messenger software such as Skype/Yahoo messenger and exit the messenger. Ensure the messenger is not running in the background and you have successfully quit and exit the software after logout.
After that, use the WebCam Companion Software to make the camera working.
3. If the issue persists, check if Imaging Devices is listed and has the Sony Visual Communications Camera driver installed under device manager in the computer.
4. Press the Windows logo key +R key together to access the RUN window and type the command "devmgmt.msc" without the quotes, press the enter key.
5. In device manager locate Imaging Devices. If not present, reinstall the WebCam Companion Software, Sony Firmware extension parser device driver, Intel Chipset Driver and Sony Shared Library.
Download and install the driver and software from the below links.
Ensure to uninstall any previos software of webcam companion before reinstall.

Webcam Companion:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFW140E&upd_id=3654&os_id=28
Chipset Driver:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFW140E&upd_id=3624&os_id=28
Shared Library:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFW140E&upd_id=3630&os_id=28
Firmware Extension Parser:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFW140E&upd_id=3540&os_id=28
Ensure to restart computer after installing the software and driver.

Ensure that you are only running the WebCam Companion Software to use the cam in the computer and the rest of messenger software such as Skype, Yahoo Messenger etc is not running and you you not signed into it. Also ensure to quit the Messenger software. Then, check if the cam is working. If not, then reinstall camera driver/software available from Sony's esupport page. Uninstall rthe previous software and reinstall it. This should resolve the issue. If not then, contact sony service assistance for a free remote session or to setup service.

Try uninstalling the camera drivers and install the latest camera drivers. Try uninstalling the yahoo messenger and reinstalling it. If the problem exists, try some other versions of yahoo messenger. Try Skype to check if same problem exists there also...

Try to uninstall any other video software that might conflict with the driver of your Microsoft LifeCam

you have to select the settings for skype...your camera is working but first you go into tools and settings to turn on the camera also mic(if u have)

usually, it will not work if there is a conflict with other third party applications that use s the camer. are you getting any error message?

• uninstall any thirdparty application that uses the camera (yahoo messenger, msn, aol, etc)
• reinstall the camera driver and software of the computer
• call the computer manufacturer for further assistance
  

Web Camera's have to be setup on the program they are to be used with. Just installing the camera on your computer does not set it up to broadcast on messengers or Skype.

Each program has Options that have to be setup in order for the Audio and Video to function properly.

A. Skype Setup:
After downloading and installing Skype

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype/windows/beta/downloading/

set it up as follows:
Go to Tools, then Options, and click on Audio Settings and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
Then click on the Video Settings.
The camera, if Installed Properly, it will come up and show a video picture.
Then, on the bottom of the page click save.
The camera and audio should function properly. Your friends and Family will now be able to see and hear you.

B. Yahoo Setup:
After downloading and installing Yahoo Messenger

http://www.soft32.com/download_30.HTML

set it up as follows:
Go to Messenger at the top left and click on it.
Next go down to Preferences and click on it.
Next Calling and Devices on the right and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
Next go to the Test Audio section and (in blue writing) click on "Open the call setup assistant" and follow the instructions on the left window.

C. Windows Live Messenger:

http://download.live.com/Messenger

After you start Windows Live Messenger, expand the view by clicking on the square on top left next to the red X.
Then on the Windows Live messenger window on the right side, click on " "Show Menus." And then click on "Show the Menu Bar".
Next go to the Menu Bar on right side, click on " "Action."
Go to "TOOLS" and click "Audio and Video Setting" and follow the instructions.
NOTE: Your audio and video should work. Enjoy.
When done both the Audio and Video will function properly so you can chat and see family or friends you are connected to.

D. AIM (AOL) Messenger:

http://dashboard.aim.com/aim

On the VIM sign-in window click on Edit.
Then click on Settings Enhanced IM.
Next click on Enhanced IM.
Then click on Audio Video.
The Audio and Video portion has drop downs so you can select the proper audio card and video camera installed in you computer.
The Audi Video drop downs are
Microphone
Speaker
Camera
The audio and camera should function now.
Additional information to use with VIM settings.
Adjust Your Audio and Video Settings:
In order to adjust your audio and video settings, please follow the steps given below:
1. Click the Audio and Video Settings button directly below the My Buddy or My Camera window. If you are currently
Participating in an AOL Live Video IM session, a message will display: You must disconnect the current AOL Live Video IM
Conversation before running setup. Would you like to disconnect now? Click the Yes button.
2. The Audio and Video Tuning Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers and microphone are working
Properly. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Notes:
The first time you use AOL Live Video IM, a message will display: Would you like to first check your audio and video settings? Click the Yes button.
The Audio and Video Tuning Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers and microphone are working properly.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
images in AOL Live Video IM may appear reversed, or as a mirror image (text may appear backwards) when you look at your own camera feed or at the
Picture-in-picture (PIP) display.
After making the settings your ready for a chat and video talk with your Family and Friends.
Hope this helps. Bud

Webcam for vaio computer will not work with a thrid party messenger like yahoo if it is being used by another third party application.

1. uninstall any third party applications/messenger
2. reinstall the camera driver and software from esupport.sony.com
3. try to use the built in camera first by uisng its own software
4. if it will work, download and install your yahoo messenger and try to use the camera with it
   

Normal 0 See section B. Yahoo Messenger in the info below.
Web Camera’s have to be setup on the program they are to be used with. Just installing the camera on your computer does not set it up to broadcast on messengers or Skype.

Each program has Options that have to be setup in order for the Audio and Video to function properly.

A. Skype Setup:

After downloading and installing Skype (http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype/windows/beta/downloading/ ) set it up as follows:

1. Go to Tools, then Options, and click on Audio Settings and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
2. Then click on the Video Settings.
3. The camera if Installed Properly will come up and show a video picture.
4. Then, on the bottom of the page click on Save.

The camera and audio should function properly. Your friends and Family will now be able to see and her to you.

B. Yahoo Setup:

After downloading and installing Yahoo Messenger (http://www.soft32.com/download_30.html ) set it up as follows:

1. Go to Messenger at the top left and click on it.
2. Next go down to Preferences and click on it.
3. Next Calling and Devices on the right and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
4. Next go to the Test Audio section and (in blue writing) click on “Open the call setup assistant” and follow the instructions on the left window.

C. Windows Live Messenger:

1. After you start Windows Live Messenger, expand the view by clicking on the square on top left next to the red X.
2. Then on the Windows Live messenger window on the right side, click on “ “Show Menus.” And then click on “Show the Menu Bar”.
3. Next go to the Menu Bar on right side, click on “ “Action.”
4. Go to “TOOLS” and click “Audio and Video Setting” and follow the instructions.

NOTE: Your audio and video should work. Enjoy.

When done both the Audio and Video will function properly so you can chat and see family or friends you are connected to.
Hope this helps. Bud