How Come My Microsoft LifeCam Cinema Keeps Crashing?
The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is a webcam designed to capture high-definition video directly onto your computer. The camera comes with the LifeCam software, which enables the computer to use the captured video. When the LifeCam software crashes frequently, it can indicate a problem with the program or your hardware.
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Software Upgrade
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Occasionally, Microsoft releases updated versions of the LifeCam software; each subsequent release improves upon the one before it. Microsoft Support recommends installing the latest version. If you have the current version but still experience problems with crashing, uninstall the software, re-download it from the Microsoft website, and reinstall it. Doing so can solve any problems that occurred during the original installation.
Hardware Acceleration
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Hardware acceleration, which enables your computer to perform tasks faster, can cause LifeCam crashes if it conflicts with your video adapter or video driver. Microsoft recommends that you reduce the hardware acceleration to test for potential issues. Right-click on the desktop, click the Properties link and choose the Settings tab. In the Advanced section, choose the Troubleshoot tab and move the Hardware Acceleration slider to the left, but not less than three notches from the right side. If you can use LifeCam Cinema without crashes, you must update your video card software and drivers.
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Video Drivers
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Updated LifeCam and video adapter drivers are required for your LifeCam Cinema webcam to work properly with your computer. Without them, the computer, camera and software cannot communicate, causing crashes. LifeCam drivers are automatically installed with a software update; you can also find them in the Microsoft Download Center. The drivers for your video adapter are usually available for download on the manufacturer's website. To find the manufacturer information, type "dxdiag" in the Start menu's search box and press the "Enter" key. In the box that pops up, choose the Display tab and look for the video card in the Device field.
Background Processes
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Processes that are running in the background while you use Microsoft LifeCam can interfere with the program's ability to function. To determine whether or not this is an issue, Microsoft Support recommends doing a "clean start-up" on your computer. The full directions for a clean start-up vary by operating system. If LifeCam Cinema works without crashing after a clean start-up, you can quit the conflicting process or simply use LifeCam in Clean mode.
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