These steps here helps to diagnose and collect helpful information when encountering camera issues while using a Micro-Vu machine. Often, these simple steps may resolve these issues and help identify the root cause of the problem.
This article applies to Post 2020 Machines
Before contacting Micro-Vu support, we highly recommend following these steps and collect the relevant information along the way to help speed up your support process.
Diagnosing Steps
Before proceeding, ensure your computer fulfills the minimum specifications required to run InSpec. These specifications are listed on the Micro-Vu website downloads page.
Maybe specifically note to check the CPU architecture, and instructions how to do that.
Maybe verify that there are no external hubs between the PC and machine, and that the USB 3 cable that came with the machine is being used.
Verify Physical Machine USB 3.0 Connection
Check if the machine cable is securely plugged into a valid USB 3.0 port on the computer. A valid USB 3.0 port should be identified by the blue insert and a SuperSpeed symbol, as illustrated below
Not all USB 3 ports have the blue insert, but they usually do. However, all USB 3 ports have the SuperSpeed logo. This is per the USB standard. Something else to worry about is SuperSpeed+ logos, which look pretty much the same but with a number added (these are not common yet). SuperSpeed+ ports are okay to use.
We should also caution against using “charge” ports (with lightning icon) or combined eSATA ports.
- If not, plug the cable into a valid USB 3.0 port and try again to determine if the problem still exists. If so, continue with the diagnostic steps
Verify Camera Connection
Open Device Manager and verify that the machine’s camera is connected under Imaging Devices
The Device Manager can be found by hitting the Windows key and enter “Device Manager” in the search box, as shown below.
- If the machine’s camera does not appear. Try the following steps to see if the issue can be resolved.
1. Power off the machine completely
2. Unplug the USB cable from the machine
3. Wait for 60 seconds
4. Re-plug the USB cable from the machine back into the PC
5. Power up the machine
The Device Manager will refresh momentarily. After so, if the issue still exists, continue with the diagnostic steps.
Verify Camera Connection Is In USB 3.0
If the machine’s camera is present under Imaging Devices, verify the connection type. To do so, follow these steps:
On some PCs, some USB ports may be routed through additional hubs which may introduce delays and instability. This step helps identify and solve these problems.
For machines with multiple cameras, repeat these steps for all the cameras.
- If the machine’s camera is not present under Imaging Devices, skip this step.
In Device Manager, expand the node Imaging Devices, and select the machine’s camera. The selected camera will be highlighted “blue” as shown below.
Click View → Devices by connection, as shown below.
The Device Manager will switch to a view similar to the following
Verify that USB 3.0 appears as the “hub” that leads to the device and SuperSpeed USB Hub appears as the intermediary node. Ideally, no other “hub” should be present between the camera and the “Root Hub”
I don’t think think this is representative of Phase 2 machines. I believe there are at least 2, if not three hubs between the USB Root Hub and the USB Composite Device. This looks like a Phase 1 machine.
Does this identify if the camera is stuck in USB 2 mode? It won’t show up under a USB 3.0 root hub or generic SuperSpeed right? Can we show an example of it enumerating in USB 2 mode?
- If there are additional “hub” appears between the “Root Hub” and the “USB Composite Device”. Try plugging the machine into a different USB 3.0 port on the PC. Verify that the additional “hub” disappears and check if the original problem still exists. If so, continue with the diagnostic steps.
Verify Camera Driver Validity
If the camera is detected as a valid USB 3.0 device as indicated above, verify the camera’s driver is functioning properly. To do so, follow these steps.
Do they really need to use IC Capture to get the driver version? Shouldn’t they just use Device Manager? Right Click > Properties > Driver
For machines with multiple cameras, repeat these steps for all the cameras.
Download and install the latest IC Capture software https://www.theimagingsource.com/support/downloads-for-windows/end-user-software/iccapture/
Start IC Capture, the machine’s camera should appear under the window Select Device as shown below
The IC Capture software may indicate that the camera’s driver is out of date. This is expected. Do not install any driver not provided with InSpec. Installing drivers not provided with InSpec may cause further problems.
3. Note the Driver Version reported here. This will be useful in subsequent communication with Micro-Vu support.
- If the camera does not appear here. Uninstall and re-install InSpec completely and check if the original problem still exists. If so, continue with the diagnostic steps.
If the above process does not resolve the issue. Please contact Micro-Vu support (link to portal) with the result from the above steps.