Reuse Old Laptop Webcam


Introduction

An old, not-working laptop accumulated dust, so I repurposed many parts of that. I thought about using the webcam test, so I tried it.
It is impossible to complete this instruction without a webcam connected via USB. My laptop was an Acer Aspire 7520G, and my webcam was an Acer Crystal Eye.

Please note that I am not responsible for what you do or what happens to you or your hardware!


Step 1: Get a webcam


Open the laptop screen as shown here:

See http://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-a-Laptop-LCD-into-an-External-Monit/step3/Removing-the-Frame/ (step 1-3).

!!! Be on the lookout for hidden screws!
Afterward, you will need to unplug the webcam. The wires of the webcam are connected to the LVDS cable from the LCD. Taking them apart is the only way to do it.

In Step 2, you need to identify the wires

The wires should be identified. It looked like this with my webcam:

  • Black +5v
  • RED Data+ RED
  • Data- Dark brown
  • Non-shielded ground ("metal color")


Your laptop probably has different wire colors. You can google your webcam's serial number or that of the motherboard of your laptop.


I connected the webcam to a portable phone charger first to see if anything exploded/fried :), and wanted to check with a voltmeter wich cable was D+ and D-, but there was no signal coming from the webcam, so I guessed the red wire was D+, and so brown D- (red and brown wire were twisted). I cannot guarantee your webcam will perform similarly and take no responsibility for anything you choose to do/happen to you or your hardware!



Alternatively, your webcam may not be connected to your computer via USB. If so, you can't use your webcam for this instruction.


I get many comments from people asking how they should connect their webcam. I don't know how either


Step 3: Connect Your Webcam

Make sure you cut the USB A cable to the right length (as shown in the picture). The plastic housing, the unshielded wires, the aluminum wrapper, and the plastic isolation should be removed. Remove a small piece of the white, black, green, and red isolation, so you have the bare wires. Ensure that the webcam cables are connected to the right wires from the USB cable. According to my case, it was:


  • Red and black
  • Green - red
  • Brown - white
  • Unshielded black wire
  • (USB) - (Internet camera)


!!! Make sure not to let the different wires touch each other !!!


Step 4: Test the Webcam

Try connecting the USB cable to your computer/laptop, and see if it works ;)
Sorry for my poor English, I'm Dutch.

FAQ:

1) How can I use my laptop camera instead of the webcam on Windows 10?

Go to the "Hardware and Sound" option and then choose "View Devices and Printers" from the first option. Then select "View Devices and Printers." under Hardware and Sound. There should be an option to view the webcam there. Choose „Set this device as Default“ from the right-click menu for the webcam.

2) What is the issue with my laptop camera?

In Device Manager, select the camera and then Properties by holding down the control key (or right-clicking). In Device Manager, select Scan for hardware changes from the Action menu. Try opening the Camera app again after the computer has scanned and reinstalled updated drivers.

4) How do I switch from using a laptop camera to an external webcam?

Then click Imaging devices or look under Cameras. c. Click the webcam with the right-click. Restart your computer, then turn on the external camera.

5) Can I use my old mobile phone as a webcam?

DroidCam for Android phones
 If your phone is Android-based, you can turn it into a webcam by downloading a free app called DroidCam. Although DroidCam Free has everything you need, you cannot capture a full 720p video with it. To get 720p and the experimental higher frame rate option, you'll have to upgrade for $5.

6) How can my laptop camera be used as a webcam?

If you want to access your webcam or camera, select the Start button, followed by Camera in the list of apps. When you want other apps to use your camera, select Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera, and then turn on Let apps use my camera.

7) How can I use the camera on the broken laptop?

Webcams from old laptops can be reused

  1. Step 1: Getting the Webcam. Click here to open the laptop screen.
  2. Step 2: The wires must be identified. Determine which wires are involved.
  3. Step 3: You need to connect your webcam. Make sure you cut the USB A cable to the right length (as shown in the picture).
  4. Step 4: Test out your webcam. Try connecting the USB cable to your computer/laptop, and see if it works ;)


8) Can the webcam on the laptop be replaced?

There are many different types of laptops, so a different type of webcam may not work properly with your computer. In the meantime, you can purchase an external webcam that you can connect to your laptop via its USB port until you can buy another laptop or have a professional replace it for you.