If the cam freezes on both platforms, there's only two answers - bad drivers or a bad cam. I vote for bad drivers.

Bill

: Bill,

: More background info that should answer your questions:

: I have two computers...a desktop and laptop.

: Most of the time, both are connected to a router which is connected to a cable modem. Have used the camera on both computers while connected in this fashion. It freezes...but usually worse on the desktop (which is older...less memory, etc.)

: On occasion, the cable service has gone out. So...I have disconnected the router...and used the internal modem on the desktop to dial into AOL, then call up Yahoo Instant Messenger, and then utilize the cam. After 5 minutes, it freezes.

: I have done the exact same thing with the newer laptop. When cable service out, utilized the internal dial up modem, dialed into AOL, activated Yahoo and the cam.... After 5 minutes, it freezes.

: In all of the above instances, the camera is connected directly to the computer's USB (desktop, or laptop...depending on which I am using at the time....)

: This may be more information than you needed, but to answer your first question, I just thought I'd go through the whole scenario.

:
: : How is your modem connected to the laptop?

: : Is the camera connected to the laptop USB port or a hub?

: : Bill

: : : Bill,

: : : Thanks for answering so quickly. Re the $200...well...this camera is an Evision Clearview Digital Camera... It's main function is as a digital cam (not a web cam), so I guess that's where my comment came from about not being expensive. It just happens to double as a web cam. No, I haven't checked for new drivers. I guess there certainly could be some, but this was a recent purchase (4 months ago). Regarding your request for the info from the msinfo32.exe file, here's how it reads:

: : : IRQ 0 System timer OK
: : : IRQ 1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard OK
: : : IRQ 6 Standard floppy disk controller OK
: : : IRQ 7 SMC IrCC - Fast Infrared Port OK
: : : IRQ 8 System CMOS/real time clock OK
: : : IRQ 9 Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System OK
: : : IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801CA/CAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2482 OK
: : : IRQ 11 Intel(R) 82801CA/CAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2484 OK
: : : IRQ 11 Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection OK
: : : IRQ 11 Toshiba ToPIC100 CardBus Controller OK
: : : IRQ 11 Toshiba ToPIC100 CardBus Controller OK
: : : IRQ 11 TOSHIBA SD Card Controller Type-A OK
: : : IRQ 11 YAMAHA AC-XG Audio Device OK
: : : IRQ 11 TOSHIBA Software Modem AMR OK
: : : IRQ 12 Alps Pointing-device OK
: : : IRQ 13 Numeric data processor OK
: : : IRQ 14 Primary IDE Channel OK
: : : IRQ 15 Secondary IDE Channel OK

: : : Thanks for taking an interest. This is a vexing problem. I'll try to follow up quickly again if you need any more information.

: : : Bryan

: :
: : : : $200 is not expensive? Whoa.

: : : : Have you checked for new drivers for this camera? Are you using a USB modem too? I really need to know.

: : : : Open System Information (MSINFO32.EXE) and navigate to Hardware Resources > IRQs. Click anywhere in the right pane and then press CTRL-A and then CTRL-C. You have copied that data to the clipboard. Paste that data in a reply here.

: : : : Bill

: : : : : I have a digital cam that doubles as a web cam that I bought from America Online. Don't remember the brand name; I'm at work, it's at home. It wasn't expensive...maybe $200. I use it with Yahoo Instant Messenger. The main problem is that after using the camera for perhaps 5 minutes or so, the image freezes. Typically, I have to turn the computer off, restart, go back into Yahoo, restart cam...only to have it freeze again after 5 minutes. I have a NEW Toshiba laptop running Windows XP and at least 256 RAM (not sure, maybe more). Can anyone help?