Webcam detection/instalation on an Acer laptop

[qyron]

If I'm asking in the wrong place, let me know.

My problem
I was asked to install a laptop with something that did not made it drag its feet. I was overall successful except for the webcam part, as the thing refuses to work

What I've already done
a) Googled it.
Most pages I found recommended the installation of Cheese, as it should automatically recognize available hardware and make it work. But it didn't.

b) Googled it. Again.
Tried listing the hardware with lspci. Got a bucket load of devices listed but apparently no webcam. Some pages say that very specific hardware will not list.

c) Decided to ask for help here.
Someone share some wisdom on this, please.

I'm starting to consider the webcam may just be broken. The machine ( an Acer 5830Z) is a bit roughed up and shows a lot of use. Considering it still works and is fairly usable as a basic user machine, having to tell the owner to go spend some coin on an USB webcam is not the worse it could happen.

Thanks in advance for any advice on this.

[4D696B65]

b) Googled it. Again.
Tried listing the hardware with lspci. Got a bucket load of devices listed but apparently no webcam. Some pages say that very specific hardware will not list.

Laptop webcams are normally hooked up to usb

Code: Select all

lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0b05:1869 ASUSTek Computer, Inc. ITE Device(8910)
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2fee:1014 Holitech USB2.0 HD UVC WebCam
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 8087:0aaa Intel Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub


[qyron]

Really? I'm going to run another ls...

This is why I really tend to avoid laptops...

edit
lsusb returns a root hub. Several lines are returned but no devices besides the root hub.

[shep]

Here is the output, auf Deutch, of a Acer Aspire TimelineX 5830T
https://forum.ubuntuusers.de/topic/acer-aspire-timelinex-5830t-bluetooth-adapter-/#post-8990662

lsusb

Bus 002 Device 005: ID 046a:0180 Cherry GmbH
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 045e:0797 Microsoft Corp. Optical Mouse 200
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 058f:b002 Alcor Micro Corp. Acer Integrated Webcam
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

.

Some laptaps have function keys to disable the webcam and I would also check the usb devices in the bios. If those aren't the issue, then cross check the specs of the 5380Z vs the 5380T, and if they match, call it broken.

[4D696B65]

lsusb returns a root hub. Several lines are returned but no devices besides the root hub.

I'm starting to consider the webcam may just be broken.

Me too

[Dai_trying]

@OP could you post your lsusb results? On my Dell laptop my webcam is not identified specifically as a webcam just the manufacturers name

Code: Select all

dave@E5470:~$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 8087:0a2b Intel Corp.
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 046d:c52e Logitech, Inc. MK260 Wireless Combo Receiver
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 1bcf:2b91 Sunplus Innovation Technology Inc.            <---- This one
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0a5c:5834 Broadcom Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub


Also I can disable the webcam in the UEFI (BIOS) settings and (as stated earlier), that would also be worth checking on your machine.