Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Michael on February 22, 2009, 01:59:06 AM

Title: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on February 22, 2009, 01:59:06 AM

My sister is using an old IBM PC with 192MB of RAM.

recently she bought an webcam, and whenever she tries to use/launch the webcam, the computer freezes.

She then calls up a computer technician from a shop and the guy suggested that the RAM is not enough.

Is that true? I thought it could be the video card rather than the RAM.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on February 22, 2009, 02:56:10 AM

How fast is the computer's Processor?
What Operating System is this?
How much free space on the hard drive?
What is it's capacity?

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on February 23, 2009, 07:23:57 AM

Hi CD, attached is the hardware report by EVEREST.
It was suppose to be a .htm document but since the file type is not allowed as attachment, I rename it into .txt.

I've got further info from my sister.
When she launched the webcam, the video windows is split into 4 columns instead of one single windows. And the video windows doesn't refresh.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: patio on February 23, 2009, 08:12:26 AM

Re-scan and save it as a text file in Everest...
Then paste the Computer Summary only info here...

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on March 01, 2009, 05:15:41 AM

The previous attachment doesn't work?

Anyway, here the Summary part I copy from the html version.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on March 17, 2009, 08:56:43 AM

Anyone?

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: patio on March 18, 2009, 08:26:10 AM

The processor speed; amount of RAM; WinXP and a dial-up connection are all contributing to the machine's overall poor performance...

XP should have a minimum of 512Mg of RAM...
Your processor is a Celeron 733Mhz...also not very robust.

Cannot tell what type of internet connection you have from here but in short the machine is not equipped for streaming video from the web.

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on March 19, 2009, 03:00:07 AM

Quote from: patio on March 18, 2009, 08:26:10 AM

512Mg of RAM...

That's how much I take every morning. ;)

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on April 07, 2009, 03:39:49 AM

Hi there.

I went home last weekend and tested my webcam on my sister's PC.
I used a Philips ToUCam Pro II, and it ran just fine, 80% smooth.
The internet connection is broadband ADSL 1.0Mps.

The webcam that caused problem is a Logitech webcam, not sure about the model because it was returned to the shop.

So, any idea?
 

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on April 07, 2009, 03:45:10 AM

Do you mean that the webcam works on her computer, but not yours?

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on April 07, 2009, 03:56:15 AM

Yes, my ToUCam works on her computer, which we suspected to be too slow, and the video streaming through Live Messenger is ok.

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on April 07, 2009, 04:02:26 AM

You still got that 192MB of RAM and that relatively weak processor? The processor pretty much determines video speed.

My Intel Atom N720 can't play HD videos without jumping, and it runs at 1.6GHz.

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on April 07, 2009, 04:11:22 AM

Yes, I didn't change anything, same OLD computer.
I just plug in my ToUCam and install the driver and run the video session.

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on April 07, 2009, 04:39:56 AM

I am very confident that your specs are the problem here.  :-\

Title: Re: Webcam causing Windows freeze
Post by: Michael on April 07, 2009, 06:00:48 AM

That sounds logical, no doubt about that....but, does that means getting a ToUCam is the only obvious solution? It doesn't make sense for my sister to get any other "untested" webcam.