Built in iSight not working

[DubbaJ]

Hi all,

I've had my MacBook for about 3 months now, and recently I'm having a problem with the iSight camera. I searched the forums (and various others around the 'net with little success) but couldn't find a mention of this here.

When I got my MacBook, the iSight worked great - I took my picture during the initial set up; messed around with the effects in Photo Booth a little (it's my first Mac) - but then I didn't really use it much for the next while.

Recently, when I try to use it (I launch Photo Booth for example) I get a message that no camera is found attached to the system (or is busy - but I've ruled that out - this happens even when I try to use it right upon a fresh startup with nothing else running). I've tried a sort of reset I've come across (remove the battery, hold the power button) with no success.

What is particularly odd though is once in a while, upon a fresh boot, it works!! Lo and behold tho, shortly there after I have the same issue.

Has anyone heard/seen this? Fixed it themselves?

Thanks everyone!

 

[gauchogolfer]

I'm not sure if I've heard of this problem, but I can offer a couple of things to try.

1. Have you repaired permissions?
2. If you create a new user account does the problem persist?
2.a If the problem goes away with the new user account, try using Spotlight to find the file com.apple.isight.plist (or something similar) which I imagine exists in your preferences folder. Drag this to the desktop and try using the camera again. a logout/login may be required.

Check back in afterwards to let us know how it goes.

BTW, the type of reset you're talking about is a PMU reset.

 

[DubbaJ]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'm at work at the moment, but I'll try them out later and report back from home.

One question - how do I repair permissions?

 

[gauchogolfer]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'm at work at the moment, but I'll try them out later and report back from home.

One question - how do I repair permissions?

Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility

Open up Disk Utility, select your hard drive from the list at left, then choose 'Repair Permissions'.

 

[DubbaJ]

Awesome ! Even easier than I imagined!

Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated! I'll report back once I escape the void that is work!

 

[saga]

Hi all,

I've had my MacBook for about 3 months now, and recently I'm having a problem with the iSight camera. I searched the forums (and various others around the 'net with little success) but couldn't find a mention of this here.

When I got my MacBook, the iSight worked great - I took my picture during the initial set up; messed around with the effects in Photo Booth a little (it's my first Mac) - but then I didn't really use it much for the next while.

Recently, when I try to use it (I launch Photo Booth for example) I get a message that no camera is found attached to the system (or is busy - but I've ruled that out - this happens even when I try to use it right upon a fresh startup with nothing else running). I've tried a sort of reset I've come across (remove the battery, hold the power button) with no success.

What is particularly odd though is once in a while, upon a fresh boot, it works!! Lo and behold tho, shortly there after I have the same issue.

Has anyone heard/seen this? Fixed it themselves?

Thanks everyone!

Hey Dubba,
Check out one of my first threads on this forum, and it may be a little dissapointing. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/210165/. Same thing. When you get home, I would check out your "about this mac" window, and click on the usb option under hardware. If the camera is connected, it should be recognized as a usb connection. If not, there is a real good chance you have to send it in for repair. Mine was repaired real well, but as you can read from my post on this, is that I was not happy with some aspects of the applecare. Sorry dude, I wish you well.

 

[DubbaJ]

Hey Dubba,
Check out one of my first threads on this forum, and it may be a little dissapointing. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/210165/. Same thing. When you get home, I would check out your "about this mac" window, and click on the usb option under hardware. If the camera is connected, it should be recognized as a usb connection. If not, there is a real good chance you have to send it in for repair. Mine was repaired real well, but as you can read from my post on this, is that I was not happy with some aspects of the applecare. Sorry dude, I wish you well.

No need to be sorry!! This will be a major bummer if this is the case, but I appreciate the input!

I'll be sure to check that when I get home too. Thanks!

 

[DubbaJ]

Unfortnately nothing helped...it seems I'll need to contact AppleCare and hopefully get this repaired!

 

[yankeefan24]

I had the same problem with my MacBook and had it fixed with Apple. They ordered the parts on a Friday night, received them on a Thursday, I gave them my computer Thursday night, and it was ready Saturday night. Simple, easy, and it worked.

 

[DVNIEL]

Question, did you install the latest verison of Boot Camp to your MacBook? If so, there may be a bug in there. I had that problem where I had installed the latest version of BootCamp and it caused my iSight to no longer appear, even after a fresh install of the OS. Later on it did come back though. Try reinstalling the OS because most likely thats what Apple is going to try first.

 

[adamsen87]

Have you tried an PMU Reset and a PRAM reset?

//adamsen87