0ac8:c002 [Sony VAIO VGN-FE21M] Green/garbled/black webcam [0x0ac8 0xc002] output

[Sicco van Sas]

I'm running Ubuntu 12.04.2 32bit and the webcam [0x0ac8 0xc002] of my Sony VGN-FE21M laptop gives green/garbled/black output when trying to use it in cheese, xawtv, vlc or skype. The suggested solutions in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Webcam/Troubleshooting don't work.

The output in the terminal when running 'xawtv' (see the attachment for a screenshot):
v4l2: ioctl(fildes = 5 "/dev/video0", request = VIDIOC_QBUF, struct v4l2_buffer *data = { index = 0, type = V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_CAPTURE, bytesused = 9682, flags = V4L2_BUF_FLAG_QUEUED, field = V4L2_FIELD_NONE, timestamp = { 18637,563 seconds }, timecode = { type = 0, flags = 0, frames = 0, seconds = 0, minutes = 0, hours = 0 }, sequence = 0, memory = V4L2_MEMORY_MMAP, m.offset = 2882400000, length = 16777216, input = 0 }) failed, Ongeldig argument (22, EINVAL) because the frame buffer is already in use

The output in the terminal when running 'vlc v4l2:///dev/video0':
[0xb53ed7a8] v4l2 demux error: Failed to unlock (VIDIOC_QBUF)
---
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.24.
AplayDevices:
 **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: STAC92xx Analog [STAC92xx Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu17.2
Architecture: i386
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: STAC92xx Analog [STAC92xx Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: laura 1889 F.... pulseaudio
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0xd2300000 irq 46'
   Mixer name : 'SigmaTel CXD9872RD/K'
   Components : 'HDA:83847661,104d0c00,00104201 HDA:14f12bfa,104d0200,00090000'
   Controls : 13
   Simple ctrls : 7
CheckboxSubmission: cf4b587dc4e1fe411776e8d7ddfb36ad
CheckboxSystem: b633b4f40868d491c2ae5b50030ce6f3
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=a0325418-85de-479f-86a9-85b42c981b93
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Release i386 (20111012)
MachineType: Sony Corporation VGN-FE21M
MarkForUpload: True
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: linux (not installed)
PccardctlIdent:
 Socket 0:
   no product info available
PccardctlStatus:
 Socket 0:
   no card
ProcFB: 0 VESA VGA
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-40-generic root=UUID=bbe2b1b2-fff7-405e-9bd8-bcbf1719edf2 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-40.64-generic 3.2.40
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.2.0-40-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.2.0-40-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.79.1
Tags: precise running-unity
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-40-generic i686
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to precise on 2012-11-13 (160 days ago)
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin plugdev sambashare
dmi.bios.date: 05/11/2006
dmi.bios.vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD
dmi.bios.version: R0130J3
dmi.board.asset.tag: N/A
dmi.board.name: VAIO
dmi.board.vendor: Sony Corporation
dmi.board.version: N/A
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: 7N1M0000000002341e39ffea5882
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Sony Corporation
dmi.chassis.version: C3LMF2Y2
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnPhoenixTechnologiesLTD:bvrR0130J3:bd05/11/2006:svnSonyCorporation:pnVGN-FE21M:pvrC3LMF2Y2:rvnSonyCorporation:rnVAIO:rvrN/A:cvnSonyCorporation:ct10:cvrC3LMF2Y2:
dmi.product.name: VGN-FE21M
dmi.product.version: C3LMF2Y2
dmi.sys.vendor: Sony Corporation

[Joeri Eilander (fazioliamboina-deactivatedaccount)]

hello,

could you maybe run "apport-collect 1134565" from a terminal.

thanks in advance

[Joeri Eilander (fazioliamboina-deactivatedaccount)]

also do a hardware test from the dash, and upload the results from there.

[Gregor Jasny (gjasny)]

Could you please try qv4l2 and open the device in raw mode? If it is still broken this is most likely a kernel issue.

Also the output of v4l-info would help here.

[Gregor Jasny (gjasny)]

Are there any errors in the kernel log? (run dmesg to find out)

[Sicco van Sas (sicco)]

Starting a capture with qv4l2 results in a black window and states 'No frame' in the margin below it. I indeed get a continuing stream of errors when running 'dmesg' while capturing via qv4l2 or vlc (see the attachment). I get no errors though when capturing via 'xawtv', which is the only program to produce some, though garbled, image (as shown in the screenshot).

@Joeri: 'apport-collect 1134565' doesn't work as 'v4l-utils' is no program. On which program do you want me to run apport-bug?

Thanks for helping out!

[Sicco van Sas (sicco)]

The v4l-info.

[Gregor Jasny (gjasny)]

I posted to the linux-media list seeking further advise. This seems to be a kernel / driver related problem. Nothing in the libv4l library should cause these reported kernel messages.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. From a terminal window please run:

apport-collect 1134565

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Sicco van Sas (sicco)]

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[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v3.9 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, for example it will not boot, please add the tag: 'kernel-unable-to-test-upstream'.
Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.9-rc8-raring/

[Sicco van Sas (sicco)]

I have tested the latest upstream kernel. The problem still persists in most applications (cheese, vlc, qv4l2, skype), but is fixed in xawtv. Cheese outputs the following new warnings in the terminal:

nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 55
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 56
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 59
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 58
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 55
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 56
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 59
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 58
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30

xawtv, while capturing the video correctly(!), also outputs such warnings:

This is xawtv-3.102, running on Linux/i686 (3.9.0-030900rc8-generic)
xinerama 0: 1280x800+0+0
vid-open-auto: using grabber/webcam device /dev/video0
Alsa devices: cap: (null) (/dev/video0), out: default
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 55
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 56
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 59
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 58
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 - Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30

VLC's errors change as well:

[0xb5204190] v4l2 demux error: device does not support mmap I/O
[0xb5207818] v4l2 access error: device does not support mmap I/O
[0xb5207818] v4l2 access error: device does not support mmap I/O
[0xb5200718] main input error: open of `v4l2:///dev/video0' failed

[Sicco van Sas (sicco)]

Also to let you know. The webcam works fine under Windows XP (tried in VLC and Skype), so the hardware is not defect.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Sicco van Sas, could you please test the latest upstream kernel available following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds ? It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Please do not test the daily folder, but the one all the way at the bottom. Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please comment on which kernel version specifically you tested. If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tags:
kernel-fixed-upstream
kernel-fixed-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

where VERSION-NUMBER is the version number of the kernel you tested. For example:
kernel-fixed-upstream-v3.11-rc3

This can be done by clicking on the yellow circle with a black pencil icon next to the word Tags located at the bottom of the bug description. As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the following tags:
kernel-bug-exists-upstream
kernel-bug-exists-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, please comment as to why specifically you were unable to test it and add the following tags:
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug's Status as Confirmed. Please let us know your results. Thank you for your understanding.

[Sicco van Sas (sicco)]

Christopher, I am no longer able to help with this problem as the bugged laptop has broken down (the onboard video chip died). I can't start Ubuntu's GUI so I can't test the upstream kernel. I added the 'kernel-unable-to-test-upstream' tag. Thanks for taking the effort to help out though, hopefully someone else with the same webcam can continue to help out.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Sicco van Sas, this bug report is being closed due to your last comment https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1134565/comments/35 regarding your hardware is broken. For future reference you can manage the status of your own bugs by clicking on the current status in the yellow line and then choosing a new status in the revealed drop down box. You can learn more about bug statuses at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Status. Thank you again for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. Please submit any future bugs you may find.

[Juan A. Bertolin (jab-mac)]

I had the same problem with the same VCC1 of my Sony VGN-FE21H. Now I am with 14.04 and it does not work either. Could I retake the process and test what you need to try to fix it?

Thanks

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Juan A. Bertolin, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, as this bug report is closd, this bug report is not scoped to you, your hardware, or your problem. So your problem and hardware may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into the default Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/Policies/DuplicateBugs
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

As well, please do not announce in this report you created a new bug report.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs