How to Install the Microsoft VX-1000 webcam on Ubuntu

Submitted by k4tz on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:41

Source: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1333343

I recently bought a Microsoft VX-1000 webcam and spent a few hours trying to install it. Since i was successful (at least for the video part) i wanted to share the steps i followed with everyone:

1. Download the gspca driver from: linuxtv.org

Code:
# wget http://linuxtv.org/hg/v4l-dvb/archive/tip.tar.gz

2. Navigate to the directory where you saved the driver and extract it:

Code:
# tar zxvf tip.tar.gz

3. Enter the new directory and the v4l subfolder:

Code:
# cd v4l [tab]
# cd v4l

4.

Code:
# make

If make returns errors edit the .config created in the same directory and change:

Code:
CONFIG_DVB_FIREDTV=m

to

Code:
CONFIG_DVB_FIREDTV=n

save and run “make” again.

5.

Code:
 # sudo make install

6. Blacklist the sn9c102 module by editing /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-custom and adding:

Code:
blacklist sn9c102

Save and reboot.

Your webcam should work now. Test it with Cheese.

Skype

Here's what i did to make it work with Skype:

1. Create a file - i named it webcamSkype - with the following in it:

Code:
export LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so && skype

2. Make it executable:

Code:
# chmod +x webcamSkype

3. Create a launcher on your panel to launch that script.

Your webcam should work with Skype now.

Since the gspca driver supports a lot of webcams i am assuming this would work with other webcams as well.

I couldn't get the microphone to work yet, if someone got it to work please let us know how.

Thanks to Andrè and Danny for the help