webcamera 4310 hyjacked by another program

[Eyal4]

Hi 

my 4310 webcam was hyjacked by a program, i cant find out which.

it used to record well but after i installed VideoPad it showed this:

 

and could not record any longer

I uninstalled VideoPad, re-installed the camera's driver and restarted the computer - to no avail.

thanks for the help

[Dragon-Fur]

@Eyal4 

Some places to check...

Settings > Privacy > Camera

Check the apps and permissions...

Right-Click on the Taskbar > Task Manager 

If the process that is "locking" the camera is current, you might find it in the Performance or Details list.

Also check "Startup" to see if the Video software is (still) listed

and / or

You could try a Forced / Power Start on the computer.

This is a controlled crash that clears all the running / loaded processes and forces the computer to read the Operating System from disk at next boot. 

The procedure is not dangerous to a healthy system.

Forced Restart / Boot

IF a BIOS update is just stuck / stubborn / frozen-in-place half way through the update / boot process,

OR

If there are boot issues that prevent a complete or clean boot of the Operating System,

IF there is not actually anything wrong with the windows installation or the File System,

Then

The following procedure might resolve the issue.

1. Unplug everything, including power and all other externally connected components
2. Press and hold down the power button for thirty (30) to forty (40) seconds
3. Release the power button
4. Plug in only basic components needed to start / boot the computer

• Desktop:  Connect Power, wired mouse and keyboard, HDMI to monitor (and monitor is powered on)
• Notebook:  Connect AC Power

1. Switch on the system with power button - Click power and release (as for normal boot)

Hoped for Results:

• System switches on, monitor active, mouse and keyboard responsive

If the issue was a "stuck" BIOS update:

• Screen shows the BIOS update window with choices:  cancel / update
• Wait several seconds; stare at it and contemplate actions. (The process will continue on its own after about 10-20 seconds)
• BIOS update continues, completes, and reboots the system

When the system reboots,

1. Log in
2. Connect LAN (Ethernet)
3. Connect other components (USB, external webcam, speakers...)
4. General housekeeping (checks, more staring at it)

Reference and Resources – Places to find help and learn about your Device

Clarification of terms and "what the device can do" (Specifications)

Device Homepage

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

HP Drivers / Software and BIOS, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Service and Maintenance Guide (Replacement Parts and Procedures), Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP HD 4310 Webcam

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2020 Year of Rat

[Eyal4]

Hi

Thanks for the reply

unfortunately none of the above helped.

Settings > Privacy > Camera:

tried to uncheck all of the apps - still being used.

Forced Restart:

followed the steps - didnt work. (i also disconnected the battery)

Task Manager:

the webcam's app does not appear on the apps tab when it is closed.

and I cant know which process might be using the camera.

is the a way for me to know besides closeing them all, which presumably will interfere with the laptop's functioning?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Eyal4 

I don't know.

Removing the software, both drivers and whatever might have been in Startup, would normally return control.

It appears to be an older device;  I did not see any Windows 10 drivers for it at the support homepage.  Assuming this is true, lack of driver support might be part of the problem.  ?

It is possible, the old camera is finally not compatible with the latest Windows 10 version (V1909 at this writing).

What else?

All of what I can offer at this point is only more of the same thing...

Remove (unplug) the device (camera) from the computer

Restart the computer,

Open / check Devices and Printers

If you find the device, Right-Click and remove the instance

Open the Device Manager - same thing - open Imaging devices - if you see the 4310 camera, remove it.

Check for "unknown" devices

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > System Information

Open Category System Environment > Running Tasks

Although the view is similar to what you'd find in the Task Manager, the layout does not change as the processing changes - the format is easier to examine.

Sort list by the various columns to help you discern when / what is running.

System Information is a powerful resource.  Check the other categories in the Software Environment category, too.

==================================================================

Consider, if you are using it:  Switch Off Fast Start / Fast Boot

Why?  Might help - Fast Boot starts the system using a previously defined and saved configuration.

Switch off / on Fast Start / Fast Boot

Settings   > System > Power and Sleep > Additional Power Settings 

Choose what the power button does 

Click Change settings that are currently unavailable 

Remove the check mark (clear box) next to Turn on fast startup (recommended) 

Save

Close programs (browsers, games, email, etc) and close any open windows

Windows key + X (opens a command list) > Click / Select Command Prompt (Admin) >

When the command window opens, type the following command and hit Enter:

shutdown /s /t 0

• Wait for the computer to shut down completely (a few seconds)
• Boot the computer > Log in > Wait around for a couple of minutes (yes, wait, do not rush) >
• Try shutting down the notebook from Windows key > Power

If all now works as expected, and you need / desire / want to continue using Fast Boot,

Switch ON the fast boot / fast startup setting (optional)

===============================================================

If you can get the onboard webcam working (assuming you have such when you mentioned having removed the battery from the computer / notebook) - this might help untangle whatever happened with the external camera.

If I think of anything else, I will edit this message or post back.

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We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

2020 Year of Rat

[Eyal4]

I appreciate the help

Unfortunately none of the above helped. I tried everything and followed the instructions (to the best of my ability) and get the same error.

I'd point out that the camera does work, i see the video feed, it does take photos, only recording a video is a problem. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Eyal4 

You are welcome.

It is too bad - the product is likely somewhere between about four to eight years old (found two release dates and both / neither might be correct).

Check the device itself for a tiny reset button or perhaps a reset "hole" into which you would tap the end of an unfolded paper clip, for example.  You'd likely already know about this...

and / or

Another obvious one:  Try a different USB port 

and / or

Try the webcam on a different computer - this won't prove anything if it works - except that it works...  If the camera does work on a similar Windows 10 machine, and you cannot stand it - and nothing else fixes it, Consider:  Reload Windows on the machine where the camera is not working.  It is entirely possible that there is "something" going on in Windows that is broken, unlinked, tangled...  Yes, you could first try chkdsk - which might find something assuming that Windows even knows that there is something wrong...

Other "What if" ideas...

If the device depends on Bluetooth, check your Bluetooth setup / permissions in Settings .

A quick check did not show anything I think you could use in the Event Viewer - I could have missed the reference, of course.

If the "event" that triggered the issue was trackable, the Reliability Report Monitor might know something about it.

A bit about the tool...

Information at a glance > Reliability Report

How to use Windows 10’s Reliability Monitor to fix and fine-tune your PC

How to Troubleshoot Windows 10 with Reliability Monitor

Reliability Monitor is the Best Windows Troubleshooting Tool You Aren’t Using

• Reliability Report

Although this cool reporting tool has been around for quite a while, it might be overlooked because it is hiding in an unlikely spot in the Operating System.

Windows 7:

Control Panel > set icon view > Action Center

Windows 10:

Control Panel > set icon view > Security and Maintenance >

Under Maintenance > Open the Drop Down Menu >> Click on View Reliability Report

Method to start the Reliability Report software using Command Prompt

Open Admin cmd prompt

Windows key + X + (then) A

Type the command, followed by the "Enter" key

perfmon /rel

________________________________________________________________

Create Reliability Report Shortcut:

Navigate to C:\Windows\System32

Right-Click perfmon.exe > Send to Desktop

Right-Click on shortcut in Desktop > Properties >

Add “ /rel” to target line (space in front of /rel):

Target (path) = C:\Windows\System32\perfmon.exe /rel

Tab General > Change name as desired

OK

======================================================

I am out of ideas for the moment.  

Good Luck.

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