Re: Satellite A300 PSAGCA -02Y010 - Error: Webcam driver open failed

Question

Problem:
Recieve error every time I try to use Camera Assistance Software for Toshiba: Webcam driver open failed. Please restart camera or computer. Web cam also does not work in Skype. It seems that this is a very common problem with the A300s series, yet there is no clear solution out there.
Hardware
Series: A300
Model: PSAGCA -02Y010
Software
Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit
Camera Assistant Software for Toshiba: 1.7.175.0123
Details
I recently did a clean install of Windows 7, updating from Windows Vista. I never used the web cam on Windows Vista, so I can't testify as to whether the web camera was workin correctly or not. However, when I tried to use it with Skype, it did not work. I reinstalled the driver that I backed up before I installed the new operating system, but it did not work. The web cam doesn't show up at all in Device Manager - even when set to display hidden devices. Trying to add new hardware through the control panel fails to detect the web camera at all. I have restarted after every install/repair of the driver.
Steps Taken
Reinstalled backuped drivers
I used third party software (Double Driver) to back up and reinstall the drivers for the web camera after I installed Windows 7. Double Driver claimed there was no device to install the driver for. I manually copied the files into the Camera Assistance folder and overwrote the existing ones. The files I copied were:
casflr.cat
oem34.inf
restore.ini
UVCFTR_S.SYS
Reinstalled Drivers from Toshiba Website
Extensive goolging has only turned up recommendations to uninstall and reinstall drivers. I was unable to find any drivers specifically for windows 7 64-bit, but I did try those for my model of laptop for Windows Vista 64-bit - no luck. I tried installing Camera Assistance Software for Toshiba, which as far as I can tell, includes the driver - it only gives me the error described above.
I also tried locating a generic Windows 7 driver for the web camera - I was unable to find one.
Check Registry Value Is Correct
I have also tried checked the registry value at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/ControlSet001/Enum/USB/SN001/ClassUID matches the value in C:\Program Files (x86)\Camera Assistant Software for Toshiba\driver\64bit\casflr.inf as and C:\Program Files (x86)\Camera Assistant Software for Toshiba\driver\32bit\casflr.inf recommended by some article recommend.
Please, I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me out here. I have exhausted all the options I can think of.
Likely Solution:
I encountered a thread post that suggested a loose wire was responsible and that the camera would work when the lid was almost closed. I tried this and the camera suddenly appeared in device manager. However, I still can't get it to work with Camera Assistant Software or Skype.
Message was edited by: A300Owner

Answer 1

Hi - I'm a newbie to this forum.
I have an A300 Satellite Pro - not even 2 years old.
In the last 2 days I have 2 problems that I think are possibly related.
1. Like others on here I now cannot get my internal webcam to work. I get the 'webcam driver open failed' message. I have read some forums etc and today I have:
a) loaded most recent BIOS,
b) reloaded the webcam software drivers (the most recent seems to be from 2008!)
c) restarted my laptop about 20 times
Nothing works
2. In the last 2 days for the first time I keep getting the 'USB device not recognised' message that annoyingly crops up about every 10 seconds. I am assuming that the webcam is connected to a USB port (internal) and is no longer being recognised. Based on Google advice in various forums I have also:
1) Turned off the AC power supply
2.) Taken out the laptop battery and waited 5 mins - this apparently resets the BIOS
3) tried using device manager in various ways
Nothing bloody works!!
Maybe the hardware is damaged but I doubt it - I have not dropped the laptop, I always pack it carefully in a padded rucksack. It has always worked fine until 2 days ago.
Ashbo (very fed up)