Operating System
Apr 24, 2008
Tip and Trick Editorial
25 Comments

Fix Logitech QuickCam (Messenger, Chat, Zoom, IM, Express) Not Compatible Driver Issue in Windows Vista SP1

Logitech, one of the leading webcam manufacturer as QuickCam series, has made a decision that left thousands, if not tens of thousands of customers in the cold, by deciding that older models of their web camera, such as Logitech QuickCam Messenger, Zoom, Chat, IM and Express, does not support Windows Vista, and the driver provided for download is incompatible and not compliant, and thus users unable to install and use the Logitech QuickCam webcam.

There is a trick to use XP driver in Vista to make unsupported Logitech QuickCam works. However, with the release of Windows Vista SP1, the trick comes out with new error. After installing Windows Vista SP1, for some users who have use the XP driver trick to use the unsupported Logitech device, or attempt to install XP driver for Logitech webcam, the following error message will appear:

The device can not be started.

And the microphone attached on the QuickCam no longer works, where the system cannot capture or hear any sound via mic on the webcam.

Switching to install higher version of drivers does not help either to solve the problem. And thanks to reader Luis, a workaround solution has been found to fix the error.

The cause of the Logitech QuickCam webcam error on Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1) is USB audio class driver, USBaudio.sys, which has been updated in SP1. To solve the problem that the Logitech QuickCam Messenger, Zoom, Chat, IM, Express and other unsupported webcam model cannot be used in Windows Vista SP1, one workaround solution is to ‘downgrade’ the USBaudio.sys driver file located in \Windows\System32\drivers folder to older RTM version.

If you haven’t remove the backup RTM files that saved by SP1 setup installer, there is a backup copy of USBaudio.sys version 6.0.6000.16386 in \Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\wdma_usb.inf_9ce240de folder. However, in normal running computer, the file is always in use, and thus locked and cannot be deleted nor moved while system is running. Use the trick below to copy and swap back to old version of the file.

  1. Take ownership and grant full access permission of \Windows\System32\drivers\USBAUDIO.SYS file.
  2. Insert Vista DVD into DVD-ROM drive to boot up into Vista Sytem Recovery Console and open command prompt.
  3. In the command prompt window, issue the following commands one by one, follow by Enter key each time. The commands are assuming that the system drive (where Windows Vista is installed) is C:\ drive. If your root system drive is different, change accordingly.

    ren C:\Windows\System32\drivers\USBAUDIO.sys USBAUDIO.sys.original

    copy C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\wdma_usb.inf_9ce240de\USBAUDIO.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ /y

  4. Restart the computer. The Logitech QuickCam camera should work properly without error.

If you’re running dual boot system, or have a boot CD or boot disk supporting NTFS system, it’s possible to boot from other operating system (so that the Vista system is not running and not locking the USBAUDIO.sys file), and overwrite the driver with older RTM version of it.


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  • nandy

    Hi, thanks for this info -I now have it working on win 7. However one issue: it worked fine when I connect the cam to the port but when I connect through a usb hub it fails to work.
    Any pointers on how to fix that?

    TIA,
    nandy

  • meh!!!!!!!!

    I had a quickcam messenger cam since ever and worked perfectly for me, when indows 7 came along there is absolutely no way to get it to work, btw i totally skipped form xp to 7 since vista was a lame joke OS, I know these days webcam are pretty darn cheap, can find one for 5 bucks but damn it why logitech can't fix this issue, it's a simple webcam should be almost as easy as any other IN/OUT device for jebus sake!!!

  • Cryoptic

    This will work for Windows 7 as well.

    To summarize:

    1. Download the latest driver for Logitech QuickCam Messenger [V-UBC40] from Logitech website for the desire OS & bit:

    http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/435/3780&hu…

    2. Run the setup installer file (ie:lws110.exe); you don't have to install VID; just unpack the drivers.

    3. During the installation, it will ask you to plug in the Logitech QuickCam Messenger to a USB port.

    4. Once it is detected, it will say that it's not compatible; just click to continue installation anyway.

    5. Unplug and re-insert the USB connector and Windows will automatically detect it.

    6. Select choose where to look for drivers and click on the folder where the drivers were unpack before.

    7. Logitech QuickCam video driver should install normally but the audio driver will say that "the device can not be started" even though the driver is installed as "Logitech Audio (Messenger)."

    8. To fix this audio problem, you have to replace the current Windows 7/Vista "usbaudio.sys" with an older Windows XP version (version 6.06 or earlier).

    9. You will need to find a copy of usbaudio.sys from someone with Win XP which is located in x:WindowsSystem32drivers.

    9. Now you have to take ownership and grant full access permission of x:WindowsSystem32driversUSBAUDIO.SYS file in your computer.

    10. Here is how to do it:

    http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/how-to-take-owner…

    11. Once permission is granted, rename the file to "usbaudio.win7.sys" (keep for future use).

    12. Copy the Win XP version of usbaudio.sys to the same folder x:WindowsSystem32drivers.

    13. Restart the computer and now both video and audio should work properly.

  • Marce

    Fantastic! Works great! I had installed drivers from XP but no sound at all. I renamed usbaudio.sys as described and then copied the old one into c:windowssystem32drivers . To do this I used a linux partition on same pc which is able to mount vista partition and so it was easy to do all of the above. No way I would have got another camera because of Vista.

    Thanks a lot.

  • ols

    I tried all of this and Quickcam Web does not work. I tried configuring it as other webcams (messenger, im etc) and the best I could get was an installed driver but all programs saying that the webcam works and still no picture or black picture only . Anyone has a trick for Quickcam Web?

  • bp1

    I have a very old logitech web cam which logitech claimed was not compatible with vista.

    I installed the xp drivers in compatibilty mode and used the fix on this site.

    My web cam works great including the microphone.

    I have spent ages to get this resolved.

    Many thanks to the people of this site

    bo1

  • virly

    necesito ayuda! se instal

  • Jim

    This worked perfectly, thanks a lot for the help :D

  • emko

    GREAT!
    When instaling Logitech Quickcam Messenger use driver for XP. I downloaded it from logitech.com site and install it. Then manualy from Device Manager point driver source “program files\logitech\” for camera and microphone. After that replace USBAUDIO.sys, following above described method and everything work perfect :)
    Thanks for help.

  • http://weekendlag.blogspot.com Matt

    does this also work for the quickcam web?

  • Pingback: Anonymous

  • mark worsfold

    You can also replace the files by making the current user the owner of, and having full control of the usbaudio.sys file in the windows/system32 directory. then you can just rename and replace with the old copy as listed in this article. then just reboot as mentioned in this article.

  • George

    Thank you so much for this, a really well-written guide – has saved me £40 on a pointless new camera!

  • kretos

    My microphone is working now but I have no sound at all. Friend from skype tells me he can hear me and that's all.

  • Martins

    Thank you both,

    I was in holydays. Just arrive home and tried your advice.

    Great, this is the perfect solution.

    Regards,

    Martins

  • Andrei

    If can also just copy over the USAudio.sys from C:WindowsSystem32DriverStoreFileRepositorywdma_usb.inf_9ce240de to C:WindowsSystem32drivers and then restart the PC.

  • Moe

    My mic finally works in Vista, thanks for the help and making this so easy!

    I actually did the file copy without going in recovery mode.

  • Moe

    My mic finally works in Vista, thanks for the help and making this so easy!

  • Shining

    I have done all the steps, but I’ve got a message saying the driver could not be initialized (error code 10).

    same problem!

  • Martins

    I have done all the steps, but I've got a message saying the driver could not be initialized (error code 10).

    Can anyone help me?

  • Vel

    Hi there. I had vista installed with a disc that already has SP1 on it. Could you possibly do me the favor of emailing me the RTM version of usbaudio.sys?

  • Ankit

    Thanks for helping me out

    you are really helpful for me

  • Vixay

    Hello

    I am running Vista X64.

    I am missing the wdma_usb.inf_9ce240de folder.

    I do have a wdma_usb.inf_cb84404b and a wdma_usb.inf_ceec26be folder. I tried copying USBAUDIO.sys from both of those folders to C:WindowsSystem32drivers.

    When I restart. Windows still asks me "locate and install driver software.

    Why am I missing this wdma_usb.inf_9ce240de folder and is it possible for anyone to send me the USBAUDIO.sys file from that folder to me. Unless there is an alternative to get my Logitech Silver Zoom Working on Vista

  • admin

    You should replace it in recovery environment, did you?

  • Jerry

    hi thanks a lot but it didn't help by me. My Logitech Quickcam Messenger still wan't work.I deleted the new USBAUDIO.sys and copied the old USBAUDIO.sys to WindowsSystem32drivers twice, but instead old one the new one(v 6.0.6001.18000) comes again after reboot. What I did wrong?

    ps: I deleted the USBAUDIO.sys files in C:WindowsSystem32DriverStoreFileRepositorywdma_usb.inf_9ce240de , but can't put the old one in it, although it's my own order.