Driver Software not in the required .INF

[iamfonz]

Hello there,
I am trying to install a webcam on my Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit. I feel i should also mention that I had bought this laptop from a friend a year or so ago and i decided to reformat it to Windows Vista Home Premium Lite (due to the excessive programs i didn't use and it was running really slow) about a month ago. Back to the problem. I load the installation disc and it all installs up until the point of the driver. When it starts to install the driver it encounters an error. It tells me that (for example Microsoft HD-5000 webcam) "Microsoft HD-5000 is not in the required .INF" or something along those lines. This message has popped up for 3 different webcams that I've tried to install. I even Went the extra mile and bought the HD-6000 for notebooks and still doesn't work.
-I've tried going to the manufacturer's website and installing the latest software and still the same problem.
-I've also tried going to the device manager and trying to update the driver. and still the same message.
-I've even tried locating the Driver myself to install it and Same thing.

Someone Please help me install this webcam! I am trying to webcam my girlfriend that is 800 miles away! PLease Someone HELP!!!

 

[Lorien]

Just a quick thought, but are you doing the installation WITHOUT the webcam plugged in? That's how I believe it needs to be done. If the webcam is plugged in while installing, it may explain the problems you are encountering (I'm not certain about this at all as I don't have a webcam, but the procedures are clear on the order of events at least for the HD-6000 which I looked up and there might be a reason for that). See: Microsoft Webcam Basics. If you've been doing it with the webcam attached, detach it and try installing that way and see if it helps.

If not, then you might try Microsoft Support at: https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&c1=502&gprid=15423&&st=1&wfxredirect=1&sd=hdwr though I have no idea if it is available for free or if they charge (I think it depends and where and how and when and what - but I can't get past that screen to figure it out because I don't know the Product ID Number). If it costs, I probably would not pay and would find some other solution but if it's free, then they may well be able to help you.

I hope this helps. If not, post back and we'll do more research to see if we can find a cause and a solution - though to be honest you've already tried pretty much everything I would typically suggest (and trying 3 different webcams with the same error suggests the issue isn't the camera itself) so it may take some time to come up with anything else to attempt. Incidentally, what do you mean by a "Lite" version of Vista - I wasn't aware that such a thing existed. Where did you get it and is it literally called "Lite"?

Good luck!

 

[iamfonz]

Yeah, I definitely already tried that! I know it's not the webcam, its something in the computer itself. I tried doing the Microsoft help thing you suggested but it costs and i think it was like $120 for a year or something like that. The Windows Vista Lite is he same as Vista but it just doesn't have the excessive programs that came with the computer. Since i did buy the laptop from a friend, i didn't receive the windows disc that usually comes with a computer. I downloaded it but my product key is legitimate. Geek Squad said they would charge me somewhere from $60 - $120. I'm so frustrated with this damn thing already!!