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Dear Neil, > My new laptop has a built in webcam. However, when I run cheese I do > not get any picture. This suggests to me that the camera is not > switched on. So can anyone tell me where to go from here please. I > have already searched, to no avail. > > Running MX Linux which is based on Debian. I've got a few ideas that might lead to an answer :) Most inbuilt webcams are actually USB internally, so you should hopefully see it in the output of `lsusb`. Mine comes up as "Linux Foundation EEM Gadget", so it may not be obviously marked as 'webcam'. You can also try running `dmesg | grep input`. This should show you if your camera has been detected as an input device; when I run it I see "input: Webcam gadget: UVC HD Camera as..." at the end of the output, after various other input devices like the mouse and keyboard. Finally, you could try using v4l-utils, which you may need to install first: sudo apt-get install v4l-utils v4l2-ctl --list-devices The output from any or all of those commands would be really helpful in trying to find where the problem lies, so please do send the output here if you'd like me and maybe others to take a look on your behalf :) Some keywords should you want to research further: * Video4Linux (v4l) is the set of device drivers that all provide a common way for programs to get the image from your webcam. v4l-utils is a group of programs to help test or manage webcams. v4l2 means the second version of v4l. * Universal Video Class (UVC) is the type of USB device that webcams implement. It's almost completely cross-platform now :) * EEM Gadget refers to the fundamental type of device driver for composite devices - in my case, that's the video plus the audio input of my webcam. * Masking tape is the thing that you stick onto the lens when you are not using it, at least if you don't want to be watched. Alternatives exist that do not deposit a sticky layer on the plastic! Again, I'm always happy to take a look at the output of those commands for you :) Best wishes, Sebastian -- - Freenode: 'seabass' -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG https://mailman.dcglug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/listfaq