Houlton Live

Here is how to get the webcam to work with Windows Vista.

There are two files you have to download. Download them and save them to your desktop so they are easy to find.

First file:
http://www.houltonlive.com/axisvistafiles/AMC_Embedded_msi.msi
Second file:
http://www.houltonlive.com/axisvistafiles/wmfdist.exe

After saving both of those files to your desktop, run and install AMC_Embedded_msi.msi and then run and install wmfdist.exe (may not be needed). After that process is done, reload your browser and visit the Webcam section of houltonlive.com. You may have to accept the installation of ActiveX components (yellow bar up top) when visiting the Webcam section, but this is a one time process.

If the problem is fixed, then voila! If it isn't, please let me know so I can test it thoroughly and find out what other steps are involved to get it to work right.

*UPDATE* I have myself experienced a glitch where the webcam page would take for ever to load or seem to freeze entirely and couldn't close Internet Explorer at all once loaded. I redownloaded the file AMC_Embedded_msi.msi and reinstalled the Axis Media Control and it fixed my problem. Just in case someone else is searching for a fix.

Alain Desjardins
Administrator

Thanks for the help getting the webcam working on IE7 on Vista. I had installed Mozill Firefox and used that to view the webcam before.

These instructions also work with Windows XP if you are having difficulties getting the software to work so you can view the camera.

Alain Desjardins

Hi Mr. administrator
I can't get your web camera to work. My operating system is XP professional. I tried downloading the software you recommended for Vista but it still doesn't work. I am in California and I used to be able to look at all the time without any difficulty. I have no problem viewing the WebCam at Presque Isle. Whatever you did to change your software it seems to cause problems and I have a feeling that I am not alone with this problem. I would hope that you would revert back to your old software that pose no problem.
I hope this finds you well.
Monty

The camera has a very sophisticated piece of software that is installed to allow viewing of the camera image. Unfortunately there is no other way around to my knowledge on how to do it with the type of hardware Houlton Live uses.

It's not a matter of just changing software, this is what the camera is designed to do. This means that if the software were indeed to be changed, the camera would have to be replaced. This camera had a price tag of 600$ after shipping and taxes, its not as simple as pulling it down and replacing it with a different model that uses different software. Houlton Live at the moment barely generates enough revenue to maintain itself.

I have dealt with folks who have had a hard time loading the software for the camera and noticed a trend. It is most of the time related to spyware/malware/trojan/virus infections that stop the camera from working right and this usually affects other things as well such as playing java/activex games online. I had a lady that couldnt load the camera image and when i asked her to reinstall java/flash she couldnt even get those reinstalled because her system was severely broken from infections.

If you have problems viewing after following these instructions i highly suggest running virus/malware/spyware/trojan scans using security software such as Spybot, Malwarebytes and AVG Antivirus. You can also reset Internet Explorer to disable any settings that might cause active content to not work right.

I hope this has been helpful and clarify a few of the misunderstandings. The camera software has been the same even before the redesign, just that the introduction of Windows Vista has caused a few hitches and the workaround had to be explained for some users to get online and enjoy the camera image.

Hi Mr. administrator
I'm sitting here with egg on my face. I was able to connect to your camera with my Ubuntu Linux system. I later tried my XP system and found that I had a blocker up that was not allowing your signal to come through. Fixed that. You have a beautiful picture and an amazing refresh rate of less than one second. The best I have seen so far and it is coming through very cleanly way out here in California.
Have a nice day.
Monty