Webcams that work with Win98SE

[risk_reversal]

As per title was looking for help as regards a webcam that would work properly in win98se. Can anyone recommend a product.

I have bought a Creative Live Pro (usb 2.0) but am having some issues with the video freezing when trying to access the net for email or browsing. I access the net via a pci wireless card netgear MA311.

This is my children's pc (not the specs below) but they have the same mobo as mine.

Many thanks for any products you can recommend....

[glc]

Are the Win98SE USB 2.0 drivers installed?

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/suppor...1&CHIP=1&COM=2

[risk_reversal]

Many thanks for your reply glc, yes they are. I originally had version 4.90.3000.2 but ugraded them to the version on the link prior to posting.

In 'Device Manager', under Universal Serial Bus Controller, there is / was an entry that reads 'USB 2.0 Root Hub'. No exclamation marks next to it at all.

Also in 'Device Manager', if I select 'View Device by Connection', I can also see the webcam under the 'Via PCI to USB Enhanced Controller'.

Cheers

[glc]

I'd look at other reasons than camera compatibility for the freezing. How's the wireless strength? You can check this aspect if you can wire the PC to the router temporarily. Video card and drivers maybe?

[risk_reversal]

I will have a look at those aspects again. Although wireless signal strength is reported as 80-90% by the card's utility.

I will look into the vga drivers but the card that is in my children's pc is my old Leadtek Ti4400 running the 44.03 detonators.

May I ask you one more question if you have a sec please glc.

Could this be some form of IRQ conflict between the wireless card and the webcam on the usb 2.0 bus. I have looked in sandra, the netgear is on IRQ10 with the Via USB to PCI Enhanced Host controller on IRQ 5.

Many thanks again

[GaryRouth]

. . . just out of curiousity, what percentage of does the Performance tab of the My Computer "Properties" show? Not terribly likely, but if there's a lot of background processes running, the Win9x resource issue might not be helping any. [If the Resources are over 70%, shouldn't be related]. If there's a chance the resources are a bit low, you could try trimming the background processes & see if it helps.

I also like glc's idea of trying an Ethernet cable, just to see.
. . . Gary

[risk_reversal]

Many thanks for your reply GaryRouth. I will give the ethernet cable a shot and revert as I don't have one that long to hand.

As regards performance

MyComputer>Properties>Performance System Resources 63% free, at desktop

When webcam running System Resources 51% free.

Cheers

[glc]

What else is on those 2 IRQ's besides steering placeholders?

[GaryRouth]

Hmm -- what do you think glc? 51% seem low enough to perhaps cause a video to slow down or freeze up?

Does the video freeze only temporarily, and then continue again if restarted?

It couldn't hurt to temporarily keep a few of the multimedia programs from loading at startup, if you have any that the camera doesn't need (just keep whatever viewer the camera uses & close the rest - QuickTime, RealPlayer - that sort of thing). That might increase your resources enough to test the idea.

There is also one driver update for the camera at the Creative site, but you might have it already - it's dated November of 2004. "Creative WebCam Live! Pro Driver Update version 1.01.01.1011 (2.02 MB) 9 Nov 04" (from their downloads page) ... you can reach the download from this download page ... then going through the menu selections for the WebCam Live! Pro http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/download.asp

[and if I had to guess for a shared device on IRQ 5, I'd guess a sound card - but it's probably a good thing I don't gamble]
. . . Gary

[glc]

You shouldn't have problems with resources till they get down below 20%. IRQ sharing or wireless issues are more likely problems.

If wiring the computer to the router doesn't fix it, the best way to fix it is with a true 32 bit OS (2K or XP), 98 just doesn't handle a lot of the new stuff gracefully. IRQ issues are a thing of the past with ACPI and an OS that can utilize it properly (98 supports it but doesn't handle it well at all). 98 also is quite primitive when it comes to USB issues.

I'm not one to say upgrade your operating system for no other reason than you can - if it ain't broke, don't fix it - and if it supports your hardware and software properly, there's no real reason to do so. However, you may be looking at you "should" in this case, it looks like your hardware is strong enough to handle it with no upgrades. There are huge stability benefits too. I still have customers running Win95/98/98SE with no issues, but I also have ones running it with major issues. One by one, they are upgrading or buying new computers when they get fed up with the freezes, bluescreens, and other problems. 2K and XP does quite well with older software running in compatibility mode, the only real problems are trying to run old games that require a true DOS environment.

[risk_reversal]

glc

What else is on those 2 IRQ's besides steering placeholders?

Wireless card is on IRQ 10. Also on IRQ10 is 'Via Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller'.

VGA on IRQ 11. Also on IRQ11 is 'Via Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller'.

Gary Routh

Does the video freeze only temporarily, and then continue again if restarted?

No the webcam 'feed' seems to drop altogether. The webcam picture in MSN messanger freezes but in MSN messenger if I go to Tools>Webcamera setting the area where the video should be displayed is 'grey'

I have very few programs loading at start up 7 infact including systray and explorer the rest are for AV+FW, wireless and that is about it.

I also have the upgraded Creative driver 1.01.01.1011 and no difference.

[and if I had to guess for a shared device on IRQ 5, I'd guess a sound card - but it's probably a good thing I don't gamble]

My SB is on IRQ7......

glc, as you say could be that 98se is not adequately able to handle the usb aspect. Also as we all know creative drivers are not the greatest at times.

Thanks for your help

[glc]

Move the wireless card to a different PCI slot. Try using a different USB port for the camera.