T61 Webcam Upgrade Question

[billp117]

I am upgrading a T61 14.1" Wide Screen model to include a webcam. I have the parts identified and on order. I have not ordered the lcd bezel and wonder if the standard bezel can be used if a hole is drilled for the webcam lens. Any thoughts? Do you really need the webcam bezel?

Also, I see there are several models of bezels available for that size T61 with the webcam hole. Do they all work?

[RealBlackStuff]

If you don't mind me latching onto your post:
is it possible to put such a webcam in a T61 with 14.1" standard 4:3 LCD-lid?

[billp117]

The webcam only fits in the wide screen from what I can find.

[RealBlackStuff]

Thanks I guess. Pity for that.
Anyway, I just snagged a very rare T61 with Intel graphics and 14.1" SXGA+ in 4:3 aspect (1400x1050).

[Raceboy]

If someone is interested, my friend has a T61 exactly like this for sale: T7300, 14.1 4:3 SXGA+ 1400x1050, Intel X3100 GPU, DVD-RW etc.
Price is 320 EUR, looks like new.

[billp117]

Can someone help me with my original question?

[RealBlackStuff]

If you have ordered the webcam already, just wait till it arrives, then you should be able to see if the 'standard' bezel can be modified.
Sorry for hijacking

[Raceboy]

I remember from the T61 I had with camera that it had a protective glass for lens on the bezel so drilling standard bezel should work but it won't look quite factory.

[billp117]

That is what I needed to know...thanks.

[Thrakath]

Someone succeeded with 4:3 and Webcam here?

[ajkula66]

Someone succeeded with 4:3 and Webcam here?

Not that I'm aware of...

[cadillacmike68]

If you have ordered the webcam already, just wait till it arrives, then you should be able to see if the 'standard' bezel can be modified.
Sorry for hijacking

Is it a type 8897? Those are nice. I think my wife's is a 1.8GHz, not a 1.4GHz as i originally thought.

[TuuS]

I had a complete webcam kit for sale in the forum a few weeks ago, it included the cam, cable, mounting hardware and lcd bezel all for $39.

I have another, but I haven't decided if I want to keep this together as a complete lid or sell it in pieces. As far as drilling a hole to use the webcam with a standard bezel, this would look horrible in my opinion, you might get it to work, but if you don't care about appearances, just get a clip-on generic webcam, then you can share it with many laptops.

[aoitenshi]

I've installed a webcam for my T61 7663-DL6 few weeks ago
but when I tried to install webcam driver, the system told me that "There is no integrated webcam installed"

I'm using webcam parts from dead R61i (the LCD cable still works, ThinkLight works, Bluetooth works, only the camera that failed to work )

Does my webcam broke? or maybe problem from LCD cable?

[Radioguy]

I wonder if I'm the only one who skipped this in the configurator when ordering due to the lack of a hardware switch.

Later on, I wondered if it could be turned off in the BIOS. If it can be, I'd consider this if I could source the parts at a price I could handle. If it can't be....then I would always feel a little uneasy about whether it's on or not.

[cadillacmike68]

While i was initially enthralled about the idea of a ThinkPad with a built in webcam, I have come to the conclusion that a separate cam is a much better alternative. You can shut it off or completely disconnect it, they are more versatile, with zoom features, etc, and they are portable.

[Radioguy]

Yeah, since that concern I did obtain a USB clip-on cam. Unfortunately, it's from Creative - a company who terminates support and driver updates for practically everything once the cash is handed over. I have it working with Win7 now, but it was a chore getting it installed.

Were the T61 built-in cam option able to be hardware-disabled, I'd prefer to save that USB port, though.

[cadillacmike68]

Yeah, since that concern I did obtain a USB clip-on cam. Unfortunately, it's from Creative - a company who terminates support and driver updates for practically everything once the cash is handed over. I have it working with Win7 now, but it was a chore getting it installed.

Were the T61 built-in cam option able to be hardware-disabled, I'd prefer to save that USB port, though.

Yes, the external cams do not like hubs, they like a direct port connection. Logitech has a nice one that my wife actually bought first!!!

[Radioguy]

Hub? I never mentioned a hub; it's a direct connection.

Hubs are no qualifier here. Creative devices are EOL'd almost instantly. Plus, if you fix their drivers so they work, Creative will sue you. They are all about having you keep buying the new model. Logitech does have better cams, but it's been a while since I bought one.

[cadillacmike68]

I mentioned a hub, as in you can't plug most cams into one, because you mentioned that you'd rather save the USB port. If the cam would work off a hub, that wouldn't matter so much.

CL Creative Labs - the original sound blaster people? If that's the same company, yes they have changed - much for the worse.

[Radioguy]

I mentioned a hub, as in you can't plug most cams into one, because you mentioned that you'd rather save the USB port. If the cam would work off a hub, that wouldn't matter so much.

Well, it's nice to save ports in any circumstance. The more optional components I can internally install, the happier I am - hence my recent Mini PCI-E TV card daydream, and interest in the OP's upgrade desire.

CL Creative Labs - the original sound blaster people? If that's the same company, yes they have changed - much for the worse.

Indeed it is.

[aoitenshi]

After seeing the camera image quality from another T61 ... I think I'll stick with my Logitech USB cam, it has better video quality and more features than T61's camera

oh well ... back to WWAN antenna

[CoBrA2168]

Hey guys - I have a T61 14.1" Widescreen edition that came stock without the webcam.

It sounds like to upgrade to the webcam, I'd need the new front bezel, a different LCD connector, and of course the camera.

Is there anything I'm missing here? I think I can get all 3 for ~$40 on eBay, and I'm thinking about doing it.

[Totoro-kun]

It sounds like to upgrade to the webcam, I'd need the new front bezel, a different LCD connector, and of course the camera.

You are correct, to perform a webcam upgrade on T61 14.1" widescreen you need LCD cable, front bezel and camera.

[cadillacmike68]

You're better off with a decent USB webcam. Logitech makes some nice ones, that fold up to something not much bigger than 2 USB sticks.

[CoBrA2168]

You are correct, to perform a webcam upgrade on T61 14.1" widescreen you need LCD cable, front bezel and camera.

Thanks guys for the advice. Someone else on these forums said that I should check to make sure my motherboard will accept the camera first. Does anyone know how to check that?