Question Webcam not initializing on Toshiba Satellite C870-11H ?

[Ian42]

I've got a Toshiba Satellite C780-11H laptop from 2012, running windows 7, service pack 1, 64bit.
When it was brand new the webcam got infected almost instantly by ransom ware, which was very worrying.
I did a factory reset.
I noticed the camera kept trying to start up. I'm not sure how I noticed this, possibly in the task manager. I wasn't sure why this was happening, but given the ransom ware episode it made me nervous so eventually I uninstalled it.
Now I have a requirement to use it.
I tried starting the web cam app but get a notice saying "Web camera initialization failed. Please check your camera device and restart application or computer."
I looked in the Device Manager for imaging devices but there aren't any.
I've also tried looking online for drivers without success.
Can anyone help with this?
Cheers.

 

[Ralston18]

In Device Manager > View

Is "Show hidden devices selected"?

 

[Ian42]

Hi, and thanks for replying.
Yes, hidden devices is ticked.

I just tried starting the Web Camera App but I still get the same error message.
In the task manager - processes I can see TWebCamera.exe *32 runs, and then closes when I close the Web Camera App error message.
In Device Manager I noticed under Network Adaptors there is "Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface" with a yellow warning symbol and an error message "This device cannot start. (Code 10)". I don't remember noticing that earlier on. I've no idea if this is relevant to the web cam.

 

[Ralston18]

Going back a bit to:

"When it was brand new the webcam got infected almost instantly by ransom ware".

How was that discovered or otherwise became known? Symptoms?

I did a little bit of googling and found the following link:

https://www.minitool.com/news/teredo-tunneling-pseudo-interface.html

Are you able to disable IPv6 on your network?

Not sure that doing so is a solution but the error message etc. makes me believe that IPv6 could be involved if not the direct culprit.

 

[Ian42]

The ransom ware locked the screen on a message that appeared to be from the police. It had a picture of me taken with the webcam, and words saying something about having to pay a fine to release the computer, avoid being prosecuted, etc.
I tried the usual things like ctrl-alt-del, but the only way I could release it was by holding down the power button to turn it off. I suspect I used my old machine to look for solutions, and probably ended up doing a safe start and then factory reset.

Thanks for the link. I don't know anything about the registry but I have followed instructions successfully before.
My "network" is just this laptop and the router.
I've found the "Manage Wireless Networks" window, and under "Adaptor properties" I can see Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), which is ticked. I could presumably untick this.
Alternatively I followed the regedit steps in your link and got as far as "Step 4: Change the Value data to 0 and click OK to save changes", but I'm not sure how to change it. Presumably I could delete Disabled Components and then recreate it as shown in this link:

https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-ipv6-in-windows-7/

I have created a restore point, but I'm a bit cautions about changing things I don't understand, so I thought I 'd check with you first before trying anything. Which option do you think I should try first?

Incidentally I had a look in Program Files (x86) and found the TOSHIBA Web Camera Application folder with a load of files in it, so at least I didn't delete them.

 

[Ralston18]

Just untick IPv6 for now.

Stay out of the registry - that will be a last resort. Forgot to mention that before - apologies.

I am curious about the Toshiba application folder: any files ending in .exe or .ini?

Are you able to take a screenshot that lists the files therein?

Do you have any AV or malware software that you can use to scan that folder and files?

 

[Ian42]

I've unticked IPv6.
I scanned the Toshiba Web Camera folder with Avira - no viruses found. I've also had the free trial of Malwarebytes Pro until recently and those scans always were clean.

Here's a screen shot of the folder:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1683778885404569600

View: https://twitter.com/Rids85788259/status/1683778885404569600


Someone sent me a link that show the driver for my laptop:
Toshiba C870-11H Camera / Webcam Driver
Toshiba Webcam driver
File Version : 2.0.3.33
Size : 86.3 MB
File name : webcam-20120510133108.zip

I downloaded the driver from the Dynabook website because I think they're official Toshiba support.
I double clicked the download file and it seemed to be installing files.
I tried starting the web cam app
I also tried restarting the laptop and then starting the webcam but still not working.

Here's the links:

Toshiba Satellite C870-11H drivers for Windows 7 64 bit

Toshiba Satellite C870-11H drivers download for windows 7 64bit version, windows 7 drivers free download for Toshiba Satellite C870-11H notebook, Toshiba Satellite drivers free download

www.downloadlaptopdrivers.net

Drivers & Software Support | Dynabook

The Official Dynabook Support Website provides downloads and support for drivers, software, and other updates for your Dynabook product.

support.dynabook.com

This is what I actually downloaded:

Drivers & Software Support | Dynabook

The Official Dynabook Support Website provides downloads and support for drivers, software, and other updates for your Dynabook product.

support.dynabook.com

 

[Ian42]

Quick update - I've managed to get the camera recognised in the device manager. It's a Lexmark X422. It still won't start - same error message. I've tried running the Windows 7 troubleshooter. It found the problem but couldn't fix it. I'm now going to redo some of the things (like driver updates, etc.) that I tried before I'd got the camera recognised.

 

[Ian42]

Hi Ralston. Just wanted to let you know I haven't managed to get it working and since I've got a conference call this week I've bought a USB Webcam instead. Thanks for your time. Cheers.