Built-in isight just absolutley not working.

Question

Hello everybody.
I have been racking my brains now for about a week over the lack of fuctionality of my isight camera. I bought my MacBook at the end of January, and then, on the 21st March, the camera just stopped working. In PhotoBooth I get the message "in use by another application..", and no other application recognises it.
On the 22nd of March, the camera worked again, briefly, by "opening with Rosetta". Someone had mentioned this somewhere. I don't know what Rosetta does, but this only worked once for me anyway.
For information, my isight camera does NOT appear in System Profiler. I suspect this is not good news.
Having browsed the articles in this forum, I have performed all the following:
Updated to all the latest software.
Checked to see whether the problem is user-specific (it isn't)
Have created a new new account (didn't help)
Permissions repair (lots of times by now)
Safe boot and restart
Restarts (lots of those too)
A disk repair
PMU resets
PRAM resets
Have looked for odd files. "MyDSC_905" seemed to be problematic, but it's not on my computer.
Apple_isight.kext IS on my computer, but whether it's functional or not is another matter.
Now although I'm good at following these sorts of instructions, I don't really know what I'm doing, so any explanation would be good! I try not to do anything too drastic.
As concerns USB devices, the only ones that have EVER been attached to this mac (and because it's fairly new, I can remember) are two Canon Digital cameras and a USB mouse. Neither of these devices have caused problems in the past.
However, I do have the distinct advantage of when my isight stopped working. I have recently been searching the computer for updates and things that took place on this date. The ones I have found are:
2007-03-21 21:29:42 +0100: Installed "QuickTime" (7.1.5)
2007-03-21 21:29:46 +0100: Installed "AirPort Extreme Update 2007-002" (1.0)
2007-03-21 21:30:03 +0100: Installed "iPhoto Update" (6.0.6)
2007-03-21 21:30:23 +0100: Installed "iTunes" (7.1.1)
2007-03-21 21:34:29 +0100: Installed "Mac OS X Update (Intel)" (10.4.9)
But unfortunately, I think I probably tried to get everything up to date as a means of trying to get the isight working again, so alas! it was probably not the update's fault.
Does anybody else know of any software/hardware conflicts/issues/terrors/bugs that I should be aware of? I think I have exhausted the web as a source of reference on this issue. I would like to now rack people's minds. Or is it perhaps just time for me to send the computer back, since I'm still well within my extended warranty? (However, this is really a last resort, because I need/want my computer almost constantly for work and play)
Any suggestions, humourous or not, greatly and utterly appreciated in this dull and webcamless life;)
Many thanks.

Answer 1

You're welcome, Prittstickqueen
I am happy you found the Hardware Test Tools.
re: reinstall, I doubt that Reinstalling Mac OS X will cure a failure of System Profiler to recognize iSight, but I think it is worth a try because it is the only thing I can suggest other than going back to the store.
I have seen more users report fixes from proper application of the Combo Updaters (which I know you have already tried) than from reinstalling the OS. However, if you decide to try a reinstall, you can use the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update (iNtel) to get back to 10.4.9 in one update step. That would give you the benefit of one more try at a "Combo" fix in addition to trying the reinstall that Apple suggests. (Repair permissions before and after the Combo install.)
Once fixed, other than future possible conflicts, I would think your iSight should work without further problem. If the OS fix or other suggestions here do not resolve your problem, your iSight is likely one of the few that needs professional repair by an Apple-Authorized Service Provider Technician.
If you are too far from anywhere, all Macs come with complimentary support during the first 90 days of ownership."
Following the links there lets you "Learn how to contact Apple for support and service." Therefore, if you cannot get back to the Apple Store, you have other options for support, but I hope you do not need to exercise them.
Good luck with the continued troubleshooting. We will watch for your status update.
Jim
  Mac OS X (10.4.9)    G5 DP 1.8  External iSight