ATTENTION to EVERYONE:

I've found the manufacturer of the webcam. A company called CHICONY. Also, this laptop originally came w/ MSWin7 and I was informmed it used "CyberLinkYouCam" software...which I'm guessing is also a MSWin program (?). Now, with this info, I'm hoping those who possess the expertise in this matter can help me out.
Stay Sharp:
Rick

Have you tried downloading driver from hp to see what driver it uses. If you know that you can install the comparible linux driver.

Reply to EDDY1

You're not the first to suggest that. I'm wondering, though, if there is a "cross-reference" guide somewhere to direct me to the proper Linux driver. And, just to keep the pot boiling, why would it have 'tried" to mount the webcam at all?(as it did when I first installed LM17...and only for 7-20 secs?)ANYONE care to answer?So, got HP's service # and will be calling them tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll give the info.
Stay Sharp:
Rick

Is there a setting in bios or a fn hotkey?

Hey Eddy1:

No fn hotkey, no BIOS activation. Did find HP's designation for the camera~~EW193AA and it's manufacturer~~Chicony and that uses driver SP39323 (this is for HP/MSWin operation)Now I need to find the cross-reference for whatever Linux driver that may be.
Rick

I said replace because you posted previously these things:

9. 2 of the 3 USB ports are malfunctioning. Was just charging cell phone Tues. and it screwed it up to where I had to do a 'restore" on phone. Plus, about 2 -3 weekes ago, it completely ruined a 4Gb pendrive.
10. Sometimes, volume on audio fluctuates and even at 100% it's not loud enough, then sometimes it so loud, I can only go about 60%.
11. I have "phantom" Gb useage...i.e. I should be using 30-32 Gb and the system says I'm using 45Gb???

So I thought a failing peice of hardware.

REPLY TO : veerain

Yes, I realize that "list" had previously posted problems on it. Just thought it might pique someone's interest enough to say "Yea, I had those problems and here's what I had to do". Hey, let me run this past you: have you heard of a weak CMOS battery causing all kinds of weird things? Things not unlike I'm experiencing? I had forgotten about this...I had another HP laptop that started going 'squirley" on me, much the same as this one, and I replaced the CMOS battery and "Presto". So, that's the first thing I'm going to do. Another "weird" scenirio happen this morn. Was online checking corespondence, news, etc... all of the sudden a "window" about 2x3 inches popped up and had ADOBE FLASH PLAYER Settings>Camera>HP Webcam-101(V4L2) and had a small video of my webcam operating????
Yet, it lasted about 20 seconds before failing and error report "No Device Found".....hmmmmm????????? I've never tried to use Abode Flash Player and just out of the blue it pops open and plays?????? Truthfully, I think when I shut this laptop down, it just goes into "thinking" mode and figures out another "glitch" to throw at me....this thing LOVES to mess with me!!!
Stay Sharp:
Rick

Hey Eddy1:

I've got that information, just need to find where I can cross-reference (HP to Linux). And, someone suggested I didn't have enough RAM (2.8Gb) to fully run 64bit? You ever heard of that? I thought all you need was the 'architechture", which this laptop has! (?) however, it was suggested I return to 32bit? Here's a weird one for ya...last Tues. was online checking e-mail and out-of-the-blue, an "Abode" flash player window (about 2in.x3in) popped up and had a very small window of my webcam operating?????? But, like the rest, it only lasted about 15 secs. What the ...is going on?
Thanx Eddy:
Rick

One of these drivers might be the right one but I'm not 100% sure since were not sure which webcam you have.
The Download and instructions are at the bottom of the page.

Instructions to build and install drivers from the linuxtv.org trees are available on linuxtv.org.
http://www.ideasonboard.org/uvc/

Try running this cmd and see if your webcam and it's name is seen.
Maybe try looking here for your laptop.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/sh...page/15/stype/

REPLY TO EVERYONE:

Last Fri. night my laptop "crashed". I immediately removed the Hdd, thinking it to be the cause. Loaded LM17.1 Xfce on a pendrive and just to 'test" the laptop, ran it. Well, much to my surprise, it booted almost immediately, and so I kept 'testing" different programs and apps. Much to my delight(and suspicion) CHEESE worked!!?? And the programs 'opened" much faster than previously. So, what does that say? Well, either I had a failing Hdd, or the switch to Xfce solved the problems(???) So, am taking the Hdd through a series of tests to determine it's health. Should I find it to be fully operational, then I'll wipe it and re-load it with LM17.1Xfce. If I find it 'died" well then, a new Hdd would be in order and be a plausible cause to all the problems my laptop experienced. So, when I get said diagnostics completed, I'll post results. As for the time being....I'll be suspending all posts here
THANX Everyone:
Rick

dmesg should have messages about drive also.

Well! Good to here about some solution.

CORRESPONDENCE TO veerain and Ztcoracat:

Hey, Thanx for all the help. Ahmm... right now I don't believe there was a 'solution" established. Just another failure in a long list of failures. This is no reflection on either of you. I need to get this to a "shop" and see just what the #$%^ is wrong and IF it's worth fixing. As I said "cheese" worked, well it did....for 2 days, then back to the old "No Device Found". I am pretty certain the Hdd "drove off the cliff", but am not at all certain it was the culprit of all the problems. Been checking what another MoBo would cost, but must be certain it is the 'problem" before I decide to purchase. Perhaps it would be best to toss the laptop off a cliff, along with the HDD and just be done with it!!! Should I get the damn thing running properly, I'll let everyone know and just what was the "soulution".
I appreciate all your efforts!!!!!!
Rick

Once the Tech figures out what's wrong (depending on the cost) than your decision for repair should be fairly easy.
Good luck-