If there has been a more troubled and problematic operating system in the history of Microsoft’s Windows line than Win 8 and Win 8.1 I have yet to hear of it. Not even the much derided Windows ME or the clunky Windows Vista presented as many difficulties as the latest offering from planet Redmond. The main issues have been around driver compatibility, software programmes for hardware devices that Win 8/8.1 simply won’t work with. In my own case after upgrading my Lenovo IdeaCentre Q190 HTPC from Win 8 to Win 8.1 I found myself left without a Wi-Fi connection. The fact that the article describing my “fix” remains one of the more popular posts on ASF for overseas’ visitors says much for the widespread and ongoing nature of that particular problem.
Now I have been presented with yet another challenge from the Windows OS on my Q190. In this case it is a hardware issue with my Logitech HD Webcam C615, a middle-of-the-range if well-regarded hi-def webcam. I purchased the C615 because I’m familiar with it from a business environment here in Ireland and because it was on sale. However when installing the webcam I discovered that the bundled software was incompatible with Win 8, which of course no one in the shop informed me at the time of purchase as the reason for the low-low sale price (caveat emptor!). Fortunately I was able to install an updated driver from the Logitech website after a bit of searching so all was well.
However since upgrading (downgrading?) to Win 8.1 I have not used the webcam until today and lo and behold the mic is not working. The diagnostic features with the webcam software were dreadful so I did a quick check on Google and discovered that the issue is widespread and without much in the way of a solution. All sorts of overly-technical advice was offered by the Logitech people themselves none of which seemed to be particularly relevant or user-friendly for the average consumer. So as usual I went off and did my own diagnostic routines. As it turned out the fix was ridiculously easy so for anyone else with the same problem here is the solution.
On the Windows 8.1 desktop screen go down to the Windows logo in the left-hand corner and right-click. This brings up a menu of options including “Device Manager” (it should be in the top half of the menu). Click on this and a new window will open listing a “menu-tree” of various hardware devices installed on your computer. Towards the bottom you will find “Sound, video, and game controllers” which you need to click on to expand. Hopefully you will find “HD Webcam C615” listed there with a little warning triangle beside it informing you that the hardware is working incorrectly. Simply right-click on the line with the information symbol to bring up a small window with several options, including “Update Driver Software…” at the top. Click on this and a new search window will appear with two options. Choose the first one, “Search automatically for updated driver software”, and let Windows do the rest. Hopefully you will get a successful notice of an updated installation and all you need do is reboot your machine.
That worked for me (yes, that simple) so fingers crossed it will work for others. If you find it doesn’t or you have some other solutions please leave a message in the Comments below for others. Now I’m off to listen to some Ravel!
AN SIONNACH FIONN 
If there has been a more troubled and problematic operating system in the history of Microsoft’s Windows line than Win 8 and Win 8.1 I have yet to hear of it. Not even the much derided Windows ME or the clunky Windows Vista presented as many difficulties as the latest offering from planet Redmond. The main issues have been around driver compatibility, software programmes for hardware devices that Win 8/8.1 simply won’t work with. In my own case after upgrading my Lenovo IdeaCentre Q190 HTPC from Win 8 to Win 8.1 I found myself left without a Wi-Fi connection. The fact that the article describing my “fix” remains one of the more popular posts on ASF for overseas’ visitors says much for the widespread and ongoing nature of that particular problem.
Now I have been presented with yet another challenge from the Windows OS on my Q190. In this case it is a hardware issue with my Logitech HD Webcam C615, a middle-of-the-range if well-regarded hi-def webcam. I purchased the C615 because I’m familiar with it from a business environment here in Ireland and because it was on sale. However when installing the webcam I discovered that the bundled software was incompatible with Win 8, which of course no one in the shop informed me at the time of purchase as the reason for the low-low sale price (caveat emptor!). Fortunately I was able to install an updated driver from the Logitech website after a bit of searching so all was well.
However since upgrading (downgrading?) to Win 8.1 I have not used the webcam until today and lo and behold the mic is not working. The diagnostic features with the webcam software were dreadful so I did a quick check on Google and discovered that the issue is widespread and without much in the way of a solution. All sorts of overly-technical advice was offered by the Logitech people themselves none of which seemed to be particularly relevant or user-friendly for the average consumer. So as usual I went off and did my own diagnostic routines. As it turned out the fix was ridiculously easy so for anyone else with the same problem here is the solution.
On the Windows 8.1 desktop screen go down to the Windows logo in the left-hand corner and right-click. This brings up a menu of options including “Device Manager” (it should be in the top half of the menu). Click on this and a new window will open listing a “menu-tree” of various hardware devices installed on your computer. Towards the bottom you will find “Sound, video, and game controllers” which you need to click on to expand. Hopefully you will find “HD Webcam C615” listed there with a little warning triangle beside it informing you that the hardware is working incorrectly. Simply right-click on the line with the information symbol to bring up a small window with several options, including “Update Driver Software…” at the top. Click on this and a new search window will appear with two options. Choose the first one, “Search automatically for updated driver software”, and let Windows do the rest. Hopefully you will get a successful notice of an updated installation and all you need do is reboot your machine.
That worked for me (yes, that simple) so fingers crossed it will work for others. If you find it doesn’t or you have some other solutions please leave a message in the Comments below for others. Now I’m off to listen to some Ravel!
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