Enable my laptop webcam?

canndrew · 11-21-2016, 10:25 AM

I recently bought a new laptop and I can't figure out how to get the webcam working. It doesn't show up at all in hwinfo. My laptop manual says that the webcam is unpowered by default and I need to press Fn+F10 to power it on, but this doesn't do anything. Would linux be intercepting this key combo somehow and stopping it getting to the hardware? Is there some other explanation for what's going on?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rtmistler · 11-21-2016, 12:34 PM

Hi and welcome to LQ canndrew.

What would help other members answer your question would be more information about the laptop model as well as what distribution and version of Linux you are running.

canndrew · 11-21-2016, 09:08 PM

Right, sorry. It's a metabox laptop, I've attached the output of hwinfo. I'm running NixOS with kernel 4.4.31, I've attached my config as well.

canndrew · 11-21-2016, 10:24 PM

It looks like the laptop is a rebranded Clevo P750DM2-G if that helps.

ardvark71 · 11-21-2016, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canndrew

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello and welcome to the forum

Not sure I can help here but since you've mentioned your laptop is brand new, it's possible that there has been no driver written yet for your webcam. What is the model and model number of your Metabox? Also, to get a better idea of your device, please open a terminal and post the results of these commands...

Code:

lspci -nnk

Code:

lsusb

Code:

lsmod

Regards...

canndrew · 11-22-2016, 12:15 AM

Thanks ardvark71!

Code:

> lspci -nnk
00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation Skylake Host Bridge/DRAM Registers [8086:191f] (rev 07)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
lspci: Unable to load libkmod resources: error -12
00:01.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Skylake PCIe Controller (x16) [8086:1901] (rev 07)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:14.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H USB 3.0 xHCI Controller [8086:a12f] (rev 31)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
	Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd
00:16.0 Communication controller [0780]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H CSME HECI #1 [8086:a13a] (rev 31)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
	Kernel driver in use: mei_me
00:17.0 SATA controller [0106]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H SATA controller [AHCI mode] [8086:a102] (rev 31)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
	Kernel driver in use: ahci
00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #1 [8086:a110] (rev f1)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:1c.6 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #7 [8086:a116] (rev f1)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:1c.7 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #8 [8086:a117] (rev f1)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:1d.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #9 [8086:a118] (rev f1)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:1d.4 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #13 [8086:a11c] (rev f1)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H LPC Controller [8086:a145] (rev 31)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
00:1f.2 Memory controller [0580]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PMC [8086:a121] (rev 31)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
00:1f.3 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H HD Audio [8086:a170] (rev 31)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
00:1f.4 SMBus [0c05]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H SMBus [8086:a123] (rev 31)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: NVIDIA Corporation Device [10de:1c60] (rev a1)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7505]
	Kernel driver in use: nvidia
01:00.1 Audio device [0403]: NVIDIA Corporation Device [10de:10f1] (rev a1)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7505]
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
02:00.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation DSL6540 Thunderbolt 3 Bridge [Alpine Ridge 4C 2015] [8086:1578] (rev ff)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
03:00.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation DSL6540 Thunderbolt 3 Bridge [Alpine Ridge 4C 2015] [8086:1578] (rev ff)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
03:01.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation DSL6540 Thunderbolt 3 Bridge [Alpine Ridge 4C 2015] [8086:1578] (rev ff)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
03:02.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation DSL6540 Thunderbolt 3 Bridge [Alpine Ridge 4C 2015] [8086:1578] (rev ff)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
03:04.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation DSL6540 Thunderbolt 3 Bridge [Alpine Ridge 4C 2015] [8086:1578] (rev ff)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
6d:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet Controller [1969:e0a1] (rev 10)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
	Kernel driver in use: alx
6e:00.0 SD Host controller [0805]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTS5250 PCI Express Card Reader [10ec:5250] (rev 01)
	Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer Device [1558:7504]
	Kernel driver in use: sdhci-pci
70:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8723BE PCIe Wireless Network Adapter [10ec:b723]
	Subsystem: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Device [10ec:b733]
	Kernel driver in use: rtl8723be

Code:

> lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 06cb:0078 Synaptics, Inc. 
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:b002 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

Code:

> lsmod
Module                  Size  Used by
af_packet              40960  8
joydev                 20480  0
mousedev               20480  0
msr                    16384  0
snd_hda_codec_hdmi     49152  1
snd_hda_codec_realtek    69632  1
snd_hda_codec_generic    65536  1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
arc4                   16384  2
i915                 1134592  0
rtl8723be             122880  0
btcoexist              53248  1 rtl8723be
nvidia_drm             45056  1
rtl8723_common         20480  1 rtl8723be
nvidia_modeset        757760  6 nvidia_drm
rtl_pci                40960  1 rtl8723be
rtlwifi                94208  2 rtl_pci,rtl8723be
drm_kms_helper        110592  2 i915,nvidia_drm
mac80211              520192  3 rtl_pci,rtlwifi,rtl8723be
drm                   290816  5 i915,drm_kms_helper,nvidia_drm
nls_iso8859_1          16384  1
x86_pkg_temp_thermal    16384  0
intel_powerclamp       16384  0
nls_cp437              20480  1
btusb                  40960  0
coretemp               16384  0
intel_gtt              20480  1 i915
btrtl                  16384  1 btusb
mxm_wmi                16384  0
vfat                   20480  1
btbcm                  16384  1 btusb
agpgart                32768  2 drm,intel_gtt
i2c_algo_bit           16384  1 i915
cfg80211              462848  2 mac80211,rtlwifi
crct10dif_pclmul       16384  0
efi_pstore             16384  0
fb_sys_fops            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
crc32_pclmul           16384  0
fat                    65536  1 vfat
syscopyarea            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
btintel                16384  1 btusb
pstore                 20480  2 efi_pstore
zlib_deflate           28672  1 pstore
snd_hda_intel          32768  5
bluetooth             335872  5 btbcm,btrtl,btusb,btintel
evdev                  24576  23
aesni_intel           167936  0
input_leds             16384  0
snd_hda_codec          90112  4 snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel
aes_x86_64             20480  1 aesni_intel
psmouse               106496  0
lrw                    16384  1 aesni_intel
alx                    36864  0
gf128mul               16384  1 lrw
glue_helper            16384  1 aesni_intel
mac_hid                16384  0
rfkill                 20480  3 cfg80211,bluetooth
ablk_helper            16384  1 aesni_intel
sysfillrect            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
mei_me                 24576  0
cryptd                 20480  2 aesni_intel,ablk_helper
sysimgblt              16384  1 drm_kms_helper
efivars                20480  1 efi_pstore
serio_raw              16384  0
mdio                   16384  1 alx
snd_hda_core           49152  5 snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_intel
mei                    65536  1 mei_me
shpchp                 32768  0
snd_hwdep              16384  1 snd_hda_codec
tpm_crb                16384  0
thermal                20480  0
nvidia_uvm            708608  0
nvidia              11427840  85 nvidia_modeset,nvidia_uvm
battery                16384  0
i2c_hid                20480  0
wmi                    16384  1 mxm_wmi
hid                   106496  1 i2c_hid
intel_lpss_acpi        16384  0
intel_lpss             16384  1 intel_lpss_acpi
pinctrl_sunrisepoint    28672  0
snd_pcm_oss            45056  0
i2c_core               49152  6 drm,i915,i2c_hid,drm_kms_helper,i2c_algo_bit,nvidia
fjes                   28672  0
pinctrl_intel          20480  1 pinctrl_sunrisepoint
snd_mixer_oss          24576  1 snd_pcm_oss
video                  36864  1 i915
snd_pcm                86016  5 snd_pcm_oss,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_core
tpm_tis                20480  0
tpm                    36864  2 tpm_crb,tpm_tis
button                 16384  1 i915
snd_timer              28672  1 snd_pcm
acpi_pad               24576  0
ac                     16384  0
processor              32768  0
snd                    65536  20 snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_pcm_oss,snd_hwdep,snd_timer,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_pcm,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_intel,snd_mixer_oss
soundcore              16384  1 snd
loop                   28672  0
cpufreq_ondemand       16384  0
kvm_intel             163840  0
kvm                   454656  1 kvm_intel
irqbypass              16384  1 kvm
efivarfs               16384  1
ip_tables              24576  0
x_tables               28672  1 ip_tables
ipv6                  360448  58
autofs4                32768  2
ext4                  524288  1
crc16                  16384  2 ext4,bluetooth
mbcache                20480  1 ext4
jbd2                   94208  1 ext4
sd_mod                 40960  3
ahci                   36864  2
libahci                28672  1 ahci
xhci_pci               16384  0
xhci_hcd              126976  1 xhci_pci
libata                192512  2 ahci,libahci
sdhci_pci              28672  0
sdhci                  32768  1 sdhci_pci
usbcore               180224  3 btusb,xhci_hcd,xhci_pci
mmc_core              102400  2 sdhci,sdhci_pci
atkbd                  24576  0
libps2                 16384  2 atkbd,psmouse
scsi_mod              204800  2 libata,sd_mod
crc32c_intel           24576  0
led_class              16384  2 sdhci,input_leds
usb_common             16384  1 usbcore
i8042                  28672  0
rtc_cmos               20480  0
serio                  20480  9 serio_raw,atkbd,i8042,psmouse
dm_mod                102400  0

canndrew · 11-22-2016, 01:53 AM

Edit: This is probably to do with my nvidia graphics card, not the webcam.

I've just updated to kernel 4.8 to see if that fixes the problem. It doesn't, and now the screen brightness buttons have stopped working aswell. However I've noticed that dmesg is giving me lots of ACPI warnings on bootup:

Code:

[    3.937897] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    3.937929] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    3.937959] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    3.937987] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    3.938082] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    3.938102] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    3.938122] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355184] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355248] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355301] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355352] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355403] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355454] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355505] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355556] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355607] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355658] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355709] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355760] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355810] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355861] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355912] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.355989] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.356058] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.407189] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.651989] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.652070] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.652135] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)
[    4.652181] ACPI Warning: \_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._DSM: Argument #4 type mismatch - Found [Buffer], ACPI requires [Package] (20160422/nsarguments-95)

Seems like it could be related...

canndrew · 11-22-2016, 02:04 AM

Hmmm, booting back into the old kernel I still get the same warnings. However if I run acpi_listen and then press Fn+F8/F9 to change the screen brightness it shows something happening, but only on the old kernel where the brightness buttons work, not on the new one where they don't:

Code:

> acpi_listen
video/brightnessdown BRTDN 00000087 00000000
video/brightnessup BRTUP 00000086 00000000

The webcam button doesn't show anything happening on either kernel.

ardvark71 · 11-22-2016, 04:03 PM

Hi....

Could you also post the results of this command...

Code:

dmesg | less

Although I could be missing it, I'm not seeing anything in the results you've provided. You can also install "inxi" from your package manager and post the results from this command...

Code:

inxi -F

More information on this program can be found here.

Regards...

canndrew · 11-22-2016, 10:04 PM

Thanks again! I've attached dmesg output. inxi gives me:

Code:

> inxi -F
System:    Host: ballzo Kernel: 4.4.32 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: Awesome 3.5.9
           Distro: NixOS 17.03.git.b69f568M (Gorilla)
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Notebook product: P7xxDM2(-G)
           Mobo: Notebook model: P7xxDM2(-G) UEFI: American Megatrends v: 1.05.01 date: 07/13/2016
Battery    BAT0: charge: 54.4 Wh 100.0% condition: 54.4/54.0 Wh (101%)
CPU:       Quad core Intel Core i7-6700K (-HT-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB 
           clock speeds: max: 4200 MHz 1: 3493 MHz 2: 4193 MHz 3: 3973 MHz 4: 4000 MHz 5: 4000 MHz 6: 4000 MHz
           7: 4000 MHz 8: 3964 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA Device 1c60
           Display Server: X.org 1.18.4 driver: N/A Resolution: 273x75
Audio:     Card-1 NVIDIA Device 10f1 driver: snd_hda_intel Sound: ALSA v: k4.4.32
           Card-2 Intel Sunrise Point-H HD Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
Network:   Card-1: Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: alx
           IF: enp109s0 state: down mac: 80:fa:5b:34:30:25
           Card-2: Realtek RTL8723BE PCIe Wireless Network Adapter driver: rtl8723be
           IF: wlp112s0 state: up mac: 4c:bb:58:fc:e3:fc
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 1000.2GB (19.8% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: INTEL_SSDSCKKW01 size: 1000.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 916G used: 185G (22%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /boot size: 1021M used: 125M (13%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/sda1
Sensors:   None detected - is lm-sensors installed and configured?
Info:      Processes: 165 Uptime: 20:03 Memory: 2073.5/64394.4MB Init: systemd Client: Shell (zsh) inxi: 2.3.4

Note that if the webcam is disabled in hardware then I don't expect it will show up through any of these tools. At this point I need to figure out why the Fn+F10 key combo isn't working - but I have no idea how this is handled by the OS/kernel (other than that it's probably something to do with ACPI) so I don't know where to start.

ardvark71 · 11-22-2016, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canndrew

Note that if the webcam is disabled in hardware then I don't expect it will show up through any of these tools. At this point I need to figure out why the Fn+F10 key combo isn't working - but I have no idea how this is handled by the OS/kernel (other than that it's probably something to do with ACPI) so I don't know where to start.

Hi...

Thank you for supplying the information I requested. Unfortunately, as before, unless I'm missing something, I'm not seeing any entries regarding your webcam. It might be worth taking a look in your BIOS to see if there are any entries that allow you to enable/disable it. Other than that, at this point, I's be curious to see if you have these same issues using another distribution. Fedora might be a good choice for your hardware.

Regards...

canndrew · 11-23-2016, 12:25 AM

> It might be worth taking a look in your BIOS to see if there are any entries that allow you to enable/disable it.

Eh, I already tried that. Do you have any idea what drivers are associated with making hotkeys work on laptops? It's possible my laptop just isn't supported yet, but if that's the case I'd like to do what I can to help get it supported.

ardvark71 · 11-23-2016, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canndrew

Do you have any idea what drivers are associated with making hotkeys work on laptops? It's possible my laptop just isn't supported yet, but if that's the case I'd like to do what I can to help get it supported.

Hi...

I have no idea. This would be a question for one of NixOS's developers, whom you might be able to contact via IRC here.

Regards...

BW-userx · 11-30-2016, 05:57 PM

Fn+F10

Fn key is not key-mapped. It is hardware - it does not even show up using xev