How to identify your webcam (and then find its driver)

For readers who might be curious about how all these cryptic looking ID strings work to help you find a driver…..

First, refer back and re-read my starting post in this thread. I talk a little about about Windows Device Identification Strings, note:

  1. Windows Plug-and-Play devices work because these devices all conform to an international standard for Plug-and-Play
  2. Every vendor who makes a “Plug-And-Play” device must conform to that standard
  3. Windows Device Identification Strings are part of the Plug-And-Play standard
  4. There are several different types of Windows Device Identification Strings
    • Device Instance IDs
    • Hardware IDs
    • Compatible IDs
    • Note that Device Names are NOT Device Identification Strings!
  5. A vendor determines the appropriate ID strings for their device BEFORE IT IS EVEN MANUFACTURED!
  6. These ID strings are embedded/stored within the device when it’s built
  7. When Windows detects a new hardware device it queries the device for its ID strings
  8. Windows does not use (or need) any drivers to query a device and its ID strings! Drivers aren't needed because the method for query/response is defined in the Plug-and-Play standard and by design doesn't need drivers (getting the IDs is what allows Windows to go looking for drivers!)
  9. Once Windows receives all its ID strings, it THEN uses those ID strings to search for the correct driver so it may provide full functionality, control and communication with the device
  10. Windows will happen to display whatever device name it happens to find inside the driver AFTER it locates the driver. (Change the name in the driver to BALONEY and Windows will display BALONEY as the device name! The device name is purely a comment!)
  11. Note: the ID strings come first, then the driver is found using the IDs. Finally, Windows displays the device name as whatever device name string it happens to find in the device's driver
  12. Searching for drivers using device names MAY work.. but note that's a side-affect of a device name happening to appear within a driver. So, searching by name may work by coincidence, not by design, as there's no need for a device name be UNIQUE to only one driver nor that the driver even contain the RIGHT or FULL device name! That's why sometimes someone might find a driver that exactly matches the device name yet Windows says no matching hardware found! In such case, they happened to find a driver that matches on name but not IDs. And IDs are what's important.
  13. The driver matching process is based soley on the ID strings!
 
Hi KKirby16
I looked back in the thread and was reminded of your post... Did you ever get the answer for your web cam?? (sorry don't recall if you did or didn')​

Hi alicarlos13
Haven't heard back from you yet. But i do have an update. While i'd still like to see the Problem Report output for the two case i described earlier in my posts... I have now noticed that, YES, in fact some web cam Hardware IDs do include the MI_xx in their ID string.

But , if you could just try generating those Problem Reports would still help​
 
Hi guys have the webcam demons been laid to rest?.
Just wanted to say hi and am always reminded of the help when I use my shitty webcam that has worked unfailingly since the help from this forum.
A quick question though,where can I find a helpful forum on Netbooks and their relevent processors,am thinking of buying one. The search functions on this topic tend to lead to......
Thanks again
 
Please help identify this generic USB camera

Hi! I found this thread when trying to determine what drivers to get for this extremely generic USB camera. Despite the instructions I've had no success at all.

The camera is simply branded "Digital" and was made in China. It has absolutely no other codes or IDs on it at all, and I know nothing more about it.

In Windows it detects as: "PC Camera"

Below are additional details about it, and pictures:

Hardware IDs
USB\VID_0979&PID_0224&REV_0100
USB\VID_0979&PID_0224

Compatible IDs
USB\Class_00&SubClass_00&Prot_00
USB\Class_00&SubClass_00
USB\Class_00

Device Instance Path
USB\VID_0979&PID_0224\5&19124716&0&3

i27.tinypic.com/aku2hc.jpg

i31.tinypic.com/29n8emt.jpg

i32.tinypic.com/x1af49.jpg

Many thanks for any suggestions!
 
Thanks for that suggestion. I tried to install the referenced drivers in both Windows Vista and Windows 7 and each time it gives the error in device manager:

"A service installation section in this INF is invalid."

However, your discovery of it being a "Toy Camera" led me to locate the exact camera, it is known as the "35g Pen Digital Still Camera."

Unfortunately I'm still having troubles finding drivers for this device.

Edit: I tried to install the AIPTEK Trio Cam driver as that camera looks virtually identical. I tried to install those drivers in XP, Vista, and Windows 7 but that could not detect the device either. Hmm.
 
Nexious said:
Thanks for that suggestion. I tried to install the referenced drivers in both Windows Vista and Windows 7 and each time it gives the error in device manager:

"A service installation section in this INF is invalid."
<snip>
Click to expand...
Hmmm... You say you tried on "both Windows Vista and Windows 7".

1) I assume that means you tried installing the driver on two different computers? (one running Vista, the other Windows 7)

2) Click for how to determine whether you are running 32 or 64 bit windows. Please indicate if you are 32 or 64 bit for each computer

I ask as the message you quoted about "INF invalid" i think implies the driver is not a match for the version of Windows you have running. I'd like to double check your Windows OS version and if you are running a 32 or 64 bit version of Windows

/* EDIT */
So for each computer you're using indicate:
What Windows OS is running? the SP service pack level? and if it's a 32 or 64 bit version of Windows (check 32 or 64 using instructions in the link i provided above)
 
Yes, I tried on two separate computers / hard drives... They are each running 64-bit Windows (one with Vista, one with Windows 7). Vista has SP2, Windows 7 is still RC. When I installed the driver, if I recall, it detected 64-bit and selected that option for the OS.

I do still have one other computer with Windows XP (32-bit) that I will try as soon as I can. If nothing more, I would at least like to get the stored pictures from the device but I don't suppose that's an easy task without the drivers? I wish I had a mac because, from reading, Mac OS sometimes gives more detailed information about the specific device than Windows which could help locate more accurate drivers.
 
Hi Nexious

1) I suspect the camera has been repackaged and sold under a variety of different names. I think you'll also find many potential driver hits searching for JL2005A Toy Camera

2) I tried to download the driver i gave you in the link in my own post! (so i could look at the driver installation file which dictates the Hardware IDs and Operating Systems that the driver will support) but the download fails! (maybe the server is down now, don't know, will try again tomorrow). So even tho the driver's web page claims Vista 32/64 bit support I suspect the driver installation file doesn't. Many of the older web cams are only supported on Windows XP but not Vista

3) You might also try this link . I was able to download and look at this specific driver and its installation file. The Hardware ID matches but it will only install on XP. (maybe only 32 bit). Just select the "Download free by viewing ads" and look in bottom right corner of each ad to click on No Thanks. You only need see 3 or 4 ads to get to the download

/* edit */
and btw.. check out this camera manual pdf file..
 
sorry but i need help

hi ive been trying to look for the drivers of my webcam for a long long time and i was lucky enought to bump into this thread..however i still cannot find the drivers for my webcam please help

this is my hardware id

USB\VID_2770&Pid_930c&Rev_0100

USB\VID_2770&Pid_930c

pleasee help and thank you :)
 
Well, I'm not real sure about this one
1) Many of the sites i found were, i think, in Chinese (which i can't read)
2) Appears the sensor in your cam is used in many different webcams

But here's my best guess for you cam... try the driver for the Trust USB2 HiRes Webcam WB-3500T

1) Is your cam the same as the one in the picture?
2) Even if not, the hardware IDs match so you can still try to download and install/use the driver.

I hope it works for you.
 
Try to use driver here
> Note you can download from the site for free if you choose to "Download this file by viewing a series of ads"
> Just keep clicking the No Thanks link (it will appear in lower right corner of each ad) to get to the download
 
If someone could help me.. I would love them forever and ever!

Device Instance ID
USB\VID_093A&PID_2468\5&33D83D18&0&1

Hardware IDS
USB\Vid_093a&Pid_2468&Rev_0100
USB\Vid_093a&Pid_2468

Compatible Ids
USB\Class_ff&SubClass_ff&Prot_ff
USB\Class_ff&SubClass_ff
USB\Class_ff
 
my id. please help me. i am lost.

there were two.

first

USB\Vid_0c45&Pid_608f&Rev_0101&MI_00

second

USB\Vid_0c45&Pid_608f&MI_00
 
weird thing

that is happening while i try to get enought posts. the click noise is like non stop lol

ok pictures.
 
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