IChat doesn't see my isight camera

Question

My isight camera shows up as a connected firewire device on the system profiler, but ichat doesn't see a camera connected. Neither does the isight updater, when i try to run it. this is an old camera i used to used with an imac; been sitting in a drawer for years.

Answer 1

Wide Bob wrote:
My isight camera shows up as a connected firewire device on the system profiler, but ichat doesn't see a camera connected. Neither does the isight updater, when i try to run it. this is an old camera i used to used with an imac; been sitting in a drawer for years.
Welcome to Discussions, Wide Bob
Previous Discussions posts on the topic show that it is not unusual for people who store external iSights for long periods, particularly inside the plastic shipping case or in places like briefcases or desk drawers that move, to find that their iSight has stopped working and requires professional repair. (There are no user-serviceable parts inside iSight.) Based on these reports, I never put my iSight back in its case for transport or long storage without a fresh desiccant pack and some way to cushion the camera.
At this point, test your external iSight using the suggestions from this link:
  http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html  
If you still want to use a webcam but nothing there helps you get your iSight working (with any Apple apps in any user account you test), I can offer two alternatives:
(1) A new Mac compatible webcam: http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/
  (more details in User Tip: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2018211 )
      - or -
(2) Check whether your external iSight can be repaired.
If you want to pursue service but do not have access to a local Apple Authorized Service Provider, see Apple's iSight Service: Frequently Asked Questions:
  http://www.apple.com/support/isight/service/
The on-line alternative to local service starts at https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.4)  MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.4)
LED Cinema Display  G4 PowerBook  1.67GHz (10.4.11)  iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight