Webcam Istallation

I bought and installed a Creative Vista webcam and it worked fine on my PC.
However I bought (and tested on my computer) a second one for my Gf and gave to her. This is where the problems began.


She followed the directions just as I did.

Insert CD and install drivers. The software then tells you to plug in the camera into your USB port, then computer restarts.

On restart her desktop would not fully load, no icons or mouse. She hardbooted computer and apon restart same issue. She then unplugged the camera and her pc booted normaly and all worked fine. She then plugged the camera in and xp identified new hardware but said the USB port malfunctioned (at this point the pc started making a odd noise).

She tried restarting with camera plugged in and had same lock up issue listed above. So restarted again with out it being plugged in and rebooted ok.

Now XP will not recognise the camera being plugged into any of her USB ports, front or back.

I have tried everything I knew how to remotely, from looking in device manager to adding new hardware and I cannot get the PC to find it much let get it installed correctly.

She has had similar issues with other devices and had given up on all of them.

Emachines T 3882
Windows XP sp2
1256 of pc3200 memory
ATI radeon 9250 256mem graphics card


Thank you

 

It seems to me that the built-in USB ports have malfunctioned, and maybe never worked right from the beginning. USB requires it's own power, so if running on just the battery in a laptop, they could (theoretically) act strange. They shouldn't, but it is possible. Anyway, if the laptop has a standard PCMCIA expansion lot, you can get a 2 port USB card. Most will plug-n-play with WinXP or Vista. Here's some cards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=pcmcia+usb&x=10&y=35 As you'll see, they come in all prices and configurations. Be sure the one you pick is USB2.0 and will plug-n-play with your OS, or at least has drivers included. I'd stay away from the real cheap ones too. But the $35.00 2 port Belkin card isn't really necessary either (unless you like Belkin; I don't). A decent priced, middle of the road card should be fine.

EDIT: I just read your post again, and I don't know where I got the idea that your problems are with a laptop :confused But the same applies; all you need is an open PCI slot in the PC. Here's a link to some PCI cards for USB devices. Again, you want USB2.0 and stay away from the super cheap ones: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=pci+usb&x=0&y=0 I've personally used TrendNet and Zonet cards with good results.

EDIT #2: EMachines have famously weak power supplies. And since USB devices draw their power thru the USB port, the power supply could be the root of the problem....