I bought a generic web cam (no software) for my aged DELL Latitude D430. Can anyone advise how I might get it up and running? I plugged it into the USB port but the computer, running Linux Mint "Maya" ignored it.Thank you. John

Open a console, run the command 'lsusb' ( without the quotes ) and look for the device. It will look something like this:

Can you see it in the output of lsusb ?

No, I got several entries; the first 5 Linux root hub, then Dell Computer Internal 2.0 hub, next 02 Micro, 1.1 hub, then Wireless,Bluetooth,then Smartcard reader and the last, simply 1e4e:0102. Any hope there?

Unplug the web cam and re-run the command lsusb. The line that disappears, is the one you are looking for. Replug the web cam and confirm which one it is. Then create the filter.

The last line in the result,was the web cam. Now, as a newbie, I have no idea how to create a filter. Can you advise? Thanks a lot, so far so good. John

1. Start v-box

2. Click settings

3. Click USB

4. On the right hand side of the menu that opens, there are some icons. Make sure 'Make USB Controller is checked at the top. The icons on the right allow you to create a new filter, edit a filter etc. Create one, edit it, and add the info found.

You can always use the Help feature to guide yourself.

Once the filter is created, you can start your guest. Make sure Guest additions are installed. You need to go to the 'Devices' and your web cam should show up. Check the box beside the web cam. That is it.

Thanks for that. I downloaded vbox via the terminal but how to start it? Typing vbox produces the message "connecting to localhost:20012, "can't connect to local....2012". I can'see v-box in the menu anywhere...am I not looking in the right place?

anyone out there with any idea how I go about configuring this "v box" referred to..? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. John

Did you install it? The command 'VirtualBox %U' ( without the quotes ) will start v-box if you have it installed.

Maybe I missed something, but, if Mint is installed directly to the hard drive on your computer (that is, not running as a virtual machine in VirtualBox), I am puzzled how installing and running VirtualBox will help you get your webcam running in Mint.

What is the precise model of your webcam?

Do you have Cheese installed and does it find the webcam?

If it's a guvc webcam, installing and running guvcview might work.

from China its as basic as it gets. No name,no model, no software. I don't have Cheese installed..perhaps I should install it and give it a go. Will let you know. Thanks. John

YES it worked! followed the steps andall is well. Top stuff! Thanks again. John

You are most welcome.

I've been there. That's how I learned about guvcview.