VX-6000 in Focal Fossa: please help!

[benjaminbreeg]

[Edit: I did manage to make VX-6000 work in Focal Fossa, though I would like to hear from others if they managed to make it work with Skype and Cheese. Also, do the little LEDs light up when you use it?]

Hey guys, here's what happens when trying to "make" the drivers for my VX-6000 webcam in the latest Focal Fossa:

dad@Bunnito:~/Downloads/microdia$ sudo make
make -C /lib/modules/5.4.0-42-generic/build SUBDIRS= modules
make[1]: Entering directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-5.4.0-42-generic'
make[2]: *** No rule to make target 'arch/x86/tools/relocs_32.c', needed by 'arch/x86/tools/relocs_32.o'.  Stop.
make[1]: *** [arch/x86/Makefile:232: archscripts] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory '/usr/src/linux-headers-5.4.0-42-generic'
make: *** [Makefile:33: driver] Error 2

What am I doing wrong?

[QIII]

Are you sure you need to make the driver, or does it work "automagically" when it is plugged in?

A vast majority of hardware these days is supported OOTB by the kernel.

[benjaminbreeg]

It doesn't work automagically when it's plugged in, unfortunately.

[CelticWarrior]

The errors suggest this is an old 32-bit driver that very likely won't work in current distros.

[mastablasta]

The errors suggest this is an old 32-bit driver that very likely won't work in current distros.

ouch. they could still try adding 32 bit libraries.

otherwise get a logitech c270 or similar one from logitech. you just plug it in and it works.

[benjaminbreeg]

Thanks, guys, I tried, and failed, to add 32 bit libraries. Anyway, I think I'll just give up. Maybe look to purchase a new webcam. Any idea what webcam works with ChromeOS out of the box?

[Yellow Pasque]

The correct module for Lifecam VX-6000 should already be installed:

sudo modinfo gspca_sn9c20x

Look at dmesg after you plug it in

dmesg | tail -n 20

[mastablasta]

try advice form Yellow Pasque, though the cam you have is still problematic judging form the posts on th einternet.

if you decided for new one, there are a few sites to check. for example google found one with best linux cams for Ubuntu:
Pro Stream Webcam
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920
Angetube Streaming Webcam 1536P
Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam
Vitade 928A Pro Webcam
Unzano 1080p HD Webcam
Anivia W8 1080p HD Webcam
Logitech C615 HD Webcam

logitech (the cheaper ones at least) usually have good support.

[benjaminbreeg]

Thank you. Here's what I get for modinfo:

dad@Bunnito:~$ sudo modinfo gspca_sn9c20x
[sudo] password for dad: 
filename:       /lib/modules/5.4.0-45-generic/kernel/drivers/media/usb/gspca/gspca_sn9c20x.ko
license:        GPL
description:    GSPCA/SN9C20X USB Camera Driver
author:         Brian Johnson <brijohn@gmail.com>, microdia project <microdia@googlegroups.com>
srcversion:     9F69E93D94805AE8ECD7FC2
alias:          usb:vA168p0617d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*in*
...
depends:        videodev,gspca_main
retpoline:      Y
intree:         Y
name:           gspca_sn9c20x
vermagic:       5.4.0-45-generic SMP mod_unload 
sig_id:         PKCS#7
signer:         Build time autogenerated kernel key
sig_key:        71:9C:9B:4B:65:4D:D8:30:68:CD:22:39:7E:3A:8F:52:55:57:EF:C3
sig_hashalgo:   sha512
signature:      2B:31:E2:EF:DC:89:B5:E6:89:F8:EF:76:72:EE:EB:FE:FB:55:39:DA:
...

... which, I am guessing, shows that the module for Lifecam VX-6000 is already installed.

Interestingly, upon reboot, dmesg doesn't show anything relevant: it's as if the camera is not detected. If I unplug it, and then plug it back in, i get:

[  995.814683] usb 3-3: USB disconnect, device number 2[ 1004.103954] usb 3-3: new high-speed USB device number 3 using xhci_hcd
[ 1004.258996] usb 3-3: New USB device found, idVendor=045e, idProduct=00f4, bcdDevice= 1.00
[ 1004.259001] usb 3-3: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=1, SerialNumber=0
[ 1004.259003] usb 3-3: Product: USB20 Camera    
[ 1004.259869] gspca_main: gspca_sn9c20x-2.14.0 probing 045e:00f4
[ 1006.128179] gspca_sn9c20x: OV9650 sensor detected
[ 1006.128401] input: gspca_sn9c20x as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb3/3-3/input/input41

Does that show what it should?

Anyway, the camera still doesn't show up in cheese.

[Yellow Pasque]

It seems to detect an input (the mic?), but does not give you a /dev/video device as it should (or it doesn't mention it in dmesg). Unfortunately, I don't have much experience with webcams and I don't know what to suggest.