Computer help forum: Webcam driver open failed chicony 2.0

Sounds as if the camera driver went south. Go into device manager and see if there is an error issue shown on the camera driver, yellow question mark or asterisk. If there is an error shown, try to re install and/or update from that location.

Ok I have Toshiba Satellite A305-S6905 Window 7 and my webcan also crashed so I started fooling around. At first I uninstalled the driver and uploaded the latest version from the Toshiba driver website..thats DID NOT WORK, I then fooled around some more with it and I uninstalled SKYPE that I had on my computer, then went back to the toshiba website and installed the Chicony 2.0 driver again, to my astonishment it worked. I can now conclude that SKYPE was interfering with my Chicony webcam, and it even seemed like the SKYPE program disabled my webcam because I used to get an error message stating that the webcan was disabled or has failed and to resolve i should change settings.... Also, as a precaution I also downloaded the latest Utility Driver for windows 7 for my toshiba modle.
So guys take it from this chic your SKYPE program is interfering with your Chicony webcam program so if you dont use skype just uninstall it and get the Chicony driver from Toshiba support website (Iris) and remember to reboot your pc when you are done.

I was able to fix the problem with the lost webcam driver in the Imaging Devices file (I have a Toshiba Satellite a305-s6905, Vista OS, Chicony 2.0 USB webcam). I don't know what fixed it, because I've tried so many things. When I was at my "wits end," I turned the computer over so that I could locate the serial number--I was going to contact Toshiba. As I was locating the serial number, I heard the computer make a "beep," as if it was notifying me of something. A message said that the Chicony webcam driver was loaded. When I checked the Imaging Devices file, the webcam was now in there. I tested the webcam and it worked fine. Then I adjusted the monitor, so it was at a 45-degree angle with the keyboard---and the webcam driver DISAPPEARED again. So, it took the same action as before; I turned the computer so that I could see the serial number, and the driver re-appeared. Everytime I adjust the monitor to a 45-degree angle, the webcam disappears; if I ajust it to less than 45-degrees, it reappears. Any advice on what the problem is, and how I can fix it permanently??? Thanks!

thank you for all the replies... found out how to solve that problem i switched my OS to windows 7 and install new drivers found on the web
http://support.toshiba-tie.co.jp/windows7/download/Satellite_M300_32_sp.htm

that person must have mis-posted.

Try the above and then restore from the factory images or recovery media. If the web cam fails with the factory load then the machine needs repairs.

Be aware that repair out of warranty is in the few hundred dollar range so the cheap fix is to use any other USB camera.
Bob