Has External FW ISight killed my internal ISight?

I have a 2.16ghz MacbookPro, 2gb ram, OS10.6.3.
I have been using the built in iSight regularly since i got the laptop four years ago....never a problem.
Recently i attached my old external Firewire iSight to try some stopframe animation software. Everything worked fine, the camera worked in various applications, again with no problems.
I have now tried to use the built in iSight but the laptop is not seeing it. (The external has been removed).
I have tried all the suggestions mentioned on the forum - reset SMC/PMU, repair permission, new account, safe boot. It is not being recognised by system profiler, and no application is seeing the camera. iChat, Skype, PhotoBooth all say no camera is connected.
Anything else i could try?
Has anyone else heard of a built in iSight being killed by its older external sibling?
thanks
Adam

Hi Adam,
I have the Macbook Pro before yours (2ghz with the RAM maxed out and the larger drive that was available).
I do not have an External iSight though to test if there are any issues.
It does seem strange though.
The Internal iSight is USB and has a .kext of it's own to run that.
The External iSight has it's own .kext file to run it.
Sometimes on Firewire devices the ports need to be reset. (Power Down the computer and on Laptops remove any external Power Supply and then wait 15 mins for internal capacitors to discharge.)
There is not a similar way for the USB Ports.
IF resetting the SMC/PMU does not show the camera in System Profiler then the best thing is probably the Engineer route.
I can see the value in EZ Jim's suggestions of trying a reinstall first.
However you could try Pacifist to Reinstall just the bits that might be effected and then run the COMBO Update.
This is the Instructions for Reinstalling iChat (I Am NOT suggesting you do this)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1486891
The broad outline of the Hard Way as it is called can be transposed to other items.
In the second Pic in the Instructions it shows Pacifist's view of the files as they are laid out on the Hard Drive (Contents of Essentials being equal to the Hard Drive Level).
Extensions (where .kext files are) is normally between "DTDs" and "Filesystems"
although you may have to use the Find option to see any further.
You need to run the COMBO version of the Update that you are up to to make sure any files is updated from the Install Disk Level to the current OS level.
10.6.3 is here http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1017
(If both computers are up to the Same OS level you could find the file on one and try it on the other, particularly if both iSights work there (if the Mac Pro has an iSight in any screen it has) ).
Time Machine may be an option to grab a working .kext file (the most likely is IOVideoFamily.kext )
Your MacBook Pro has limited USB ports and although the External iSight may well go for some time yet and New External USB cameras are not that expensive you may want to consider finding out the cost or "Servicing" the External and about investigating the issue with the internal so that you have options covered (Depending what other USB devices you have plugged in)
Just some ideas.
Essentially I favour EZ Jim's Repair and or reinstall before taking it to an Engineer as they may want that done anyway to make sure the "system" is as as "good" as it can be.
I would probably try the Pacifist way first as it would ave time over an Whole Archive and Install method
8:11 PM Monday; May 24, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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jonsonby wrote:
Really need help to figure this one out.
I have not used this isight before it has been bought secondhand.... No green light what so ever
Do you think it maybe broken?
I really hope not as it was sold as fully working
Welcome to Discussions, jonsonby
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Will a external apple isight work with the latest mac mini.
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THEMACMINIMAN wrote:
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http://tinyurl.com/cgll7o
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fw_adapter.html
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The solutions I've found here and elsewhere, about launching iChat first so it "controls" the internal iSight and will force the firewire iSight to work, does not work. With Quicktime and Photo Booth, I stll get the feed from the internal camera.
iChat has a dropdown menu showing "Built-in iSight" and "iSight". But when "iSight" is selected, the message "Camera is off" appears.
What is the definitive method for using the built-in iSight and the firewire iSight simultaneously? Thank you.

Hi,
Several answer to the implied questions.
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You're welcome, adamrod
... My computer is not recognizing the external iSight camera ... I know the iSight works because I tested it on my old G4.
If you mean that TODAY your iSight works with one of your Macs but not the other, the problem is in your newer Mac, its Firewire or Firewire port connection, or the cable you are using with it.
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http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
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When I plug the iSight the light comes on briefly, goes off and then it makes an auto adjusting noise.
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What does your external iSight do when you plug it in?
The same thing you describe for yours.
Does the light stay on constantly?
Only when the iSight is actually in use. Otherwise, the light goes out on an external iSight that is working correctly but in standby mode.
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iChat connected but not in chat: *iSight light OFF*
iChat connected and in video chat: *iSight light ON*
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Because the light is merely an indicator that iSight is in use rather than any kind of functional necessity, whether the iSight light is on or off has never been of any serious concern to me.
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