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Add an Integrated Webcam to the Dell Inspiron 1525

I recently purchased a new laptop for my mum because her old one was giving out. I got her a brand new yellow Dell Inspiron 1525 but with the integrated webcam option so she doesn’t have to figure out how to set up a USB webcam when she wants to call me on Skype. I also have a Dell Inspiron 1525 but without the integrated webcam.

A few days after I gave her the laptop I was poking around on eBay when I came across a guy in Canada selling the integrated Dell Inspiron 1520/1525 webcam and webcam cable. The gears in my head started to turn and I said to my wife “Hey, it would be cool if I added a webcam to my Inspiron 1525.” She mumbled something (probably “yeah, but you don’t need it”). Without my wife’s blessing and using my hard earned cash, I purchased the camera and camera cable and then waited for it to arrive.

Jump forward to today and my camera and cable arrived in the mail. Thanks USPS! I installed the cable and camera, it was super easy… and of course the wife likes it and now wants one for herself. You’ll need a philips screwdriver, flat head screwdriver, a dremel (or drill), and the webcam software. The software for the camera can be found at http://www.laptops-drivers.com/dell-laptop/how-to-install-windows-xp-on-dell-inspiron-1525-or-downgrading-vista.html. I think the site recommends the Microsoft Update website for the drivers… I don’t remember how I got them from that website.

As always, I an NOT responsible for any damages, so use these instructions at your own risk!

Step 1 – Remove the screws that hold the top button panel

Step 2 – Remove the button panel

Step 3 – Finish removing the panel

Step 4 – Remove the keyboard screws

Step 5 – Remove the button panel and keyboard Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) connectors

Step 6 – Install the webcam cable into the cable tray

Step 7 Optional – I reconnected my keyboard and powered up the laptop to make sure the camera worked

Step 8 – Remove the LCD panel rubber bumpers and panel screws

Step 9 – Carefully lift eh LCD bezel from the LCD panel

Step 10 – Test fit the camera in the LCD panel cutout

Step 11 – Remove the two LCD screen bracket screws that hold the LCD panel in place

Step 12 – Rotate the LCD panel, face first, onto the laptop (might want to put a pillow or cloth down to not scratch the LCD screen)

Step 13 – Layout the webcam cable in the pre-cut channel on the back of the LCD panel

Step 14 – Peel the backing off of the aluminum tabs and secure the webcam cable to the LCD panel

Step 15 – Finish taping down the cable with the remaining tabs

Step 16 – Mark the holes for cutout using the LCD bezel holes as a guide

Step 17 – Drill out the holes

Step 18 – Re-install the camera into the LCD panel

Step 20 – Reinstall the LCD screen and panel bezel the same way you removed it. REMEMBER to reinstall the screws then power up your laptop.

Step 21 – Boot up the computer and install the webcam software (see top of this post for a link to the software)

I tested my camera with Skype

Then I took a picture of yours truly :)

I hope your install went smoothly! Enjoy your new integrated webcam.
PS, if you were to buy a brand new Inspiron 1525 from Dell according to them it would take two days to install the camera.

~ by johndball on January 29, 2009.

36 Responses to “Add an Integrated Webcam to the Dell Inspiron 1525”

  1. It really works….we tested it with skype.

    Blaize said this on January 30th, 2009 at 21:52

  2. Thanks..good work…This link has a used Bezel with the webcam port for $13.50 + shipping. It might make it easier for someone.

    http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=4876

    Bob said this on February 7th, 2009 at 18:49

  3. Friend, i have this laptop dell inspiron 1525, but the integrated webcam don’ work, but is present in admon devices as ?. I install this driver automatic or manually but don’t work Can you help me? the SO is Windows xp SP2

    sergio said this on February 12th, 2009 at 19:07

  4. @sergio: This might be able to help you: http://application-error.net/creative-live-cam-process-oem02monexe/

    Looks like a re-branded Creative Live webcam. What error are you getting? Can you take a screen shot and e-mail it to me?

    johndball said this on February 14th, 2009 at 21:31

  5. Hi,

    My brother fell down with his laptop (Inspiron 1525) and since then the screen is really dark (you can barely something though) but it works with an external monitor.

    Some people say it could be the backlight, others that it could be the inverter. I’m checking first if it is a loose cable or something else.

    I have checked on this website:

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1525/en/SM/display.htm#wp1179842

    and also googling I found your website (that provides more info with the pics).

    Anyway, on the step 7 picture as I do in the Dell docs I see the cable that is on the far left seems to be connected, however is unplugged in my laptop. I’m wondering if this could be the cause. I can email you a picture to tell you what I mean.

    Miguel

    Miguel said this on February 15th, 2009 at 16:17

  6. Yeah, go ahead and send me the picture to johndball -at- johndball.com

    johndball said this on February 15th, 2009 at 19:50

  7. thanks john ball-this is a really kewl tutorial- i dont get why dell doesnt have the cable already fitted like say bluetooth cables already are fitted in machine-then user can add the main hardware without completely dismantling unit. Also i dont see why dell doesnt have the holes already there & just blocked with little rubber covers this would be more environmentally friendly e.g what happens to all the generic (non holed) bezels?? not to mention dell doesnt make any money from this because its always some 3rd party rip off dude somewhere on net selling dell parts cheaper than dell themselves lol

    al said this on March 4th, 2009 at 02:07

  8. umm i have a question for any one who can answer. i have a Dell Inspiron 1525 and i have no idea how to set up the inturgrated webcam. can you help me out?

    Amelia said this on March 17th, 2009 at 16:21

  9. Thanks for every things .i like to Add an Integrated Webcam to my Dell Inspiron 1525 and iam sure i can flow your step but i searched for the webcam on eBay i found the webcam but thy didn’t have the cable with it can you help me found the cable thank you.

    foaad said this on March 31st, 2009 at 06:54

  10. I bought the cable for my wife’s laptop from a website I found through a Google search.

    johndball said this on March 31st, 2009 at 13:12

  11. Found it! http://pchub.com/uph/catf/SearchItem.aspx?ft=Inspiron+1525+webcam&x=0&y=0

    johndball said this on April 4th, 2009 at 15:12

  12. I reinstalled windows vista the other day and all the drivers and software that came with the computer, but since then when I try to use my Inspiron 1525 integrated webcam it appears black on screen. Can you tell me how to fix this? The device manager says the driver is up to date and I was using the webcam fine before I had to reinstall windows.

    Deb said this on April 16th, 2009 at 06:18

  13. nevermind I fixed it!

    Deb said this on April 16th, 2009 at 06:36

  14. @ Deb, what steps did you take to fix your problem? Somebody else might have the same issue and could benefit from your steps.

    johndball said this on April 24th, 2009 at 18:15

  15. hi again- have you got the part number for this camera? coz ive seen like 2 different part numbers & Im under the impression that theres a 1.3 MP version & a 2 MP version- (can someone clarify?) also did the camera come with the necessary screws included? thanks

    al said this on May 6th, 2009 at 03:27

  16. Dell part numbers DP157 (unknown megapixel) and NN784 (2 megapixel).
    Screws are not needed for the installation, there are two raised plastic nipples that allow the camera, which has two holes punched in the camera body, to sit on the nipples locking the camera in. The body also has a two-sided sticky backing to further secure the camera on the LCD lid.

    johndball said this on May 6th, 2009 at 14:19

  17. Hi there,

    This is a fantastic tutorial – thanks!

    I have a quick question – I’m trying to remove the display bezel, but am having difficulty at the bottom-center area (almost cylindrical part adjoining with the main chassis).

    I just can get it to come free – and I’m worried about damaging it with force. Do you have any advice?

    Ollie said this on May 23rd, 2009 at 10:59

  18. I had to tilt the LCD screen back as far as possible and lift up with a small screwdriver to get the two hinge portions to “unlatch” from itself.

    johndball said this on May 23rd, 2009 at 13:22

  19. I have a dell inspiron 1525…My integrated webcam stops/starts working when I adjust the lid. Any ideas on how to fix this?

    thanks…

    D. said this on July 22nd, 2009 at 17:22

  20. Sounds like your camera cable might be too tight and when you close the screen it pulls it out enough to turn off the camera. I ran the camera, closed/opened the lid and it never turned off.

    johndball said this on July 22nd, 2009 at 17:31

  21. It actually works when the lid is almost closed…?

    D. said this on July 23rd, 2009 at 00:59

  22. Yeah, mine does. Did you ever get it fixed?

    johndball said this on July 29th, 2009 at 20:23

  23. Any idea where I can find the camera & cable for a reasonable price on the web? I am looking for two but striking out… Thanks. Jeff

    Jeff said this on August 4th, 2009 at 00:18

  24. Heh…No, I meant, mine works when the lid is almost closed…

    D. said this on August 8th, 2009 at 17:51

  25. Does anyone know where to purchase the cable for the webcam. I can purchase the webcam but cannot find any cables anywhere?

    Elwyn said this on August 19th, 2009 at 16:14

  26. ^^ where can i purchase the camera cable?

    james said this on August 23rd, 2009 at 10:07

  27. also does the camera come with built in microphone?

    james said this on August 23rd, 2009 at 10:11

  28. Elwyn, I got the cable from Resale Marketing. It was about 18 bucks.

    Thanks John for the Tutorial it sure is speeding up the process.

    Mike said this on September 7th, 2009 at 21:47

  29. also yes. my camera came with a microphone

    Mike said this on September 7th, 2009 at 21:48

  30. You are the master. I want to do this same mod to my girlfriend’s laptop, but of course, it was a risky idea. But with a great guide like this (annotated pictures!), it won’t be too hard.

    Much gratitude from Indiana!

    Matt said this on November 1st, 2009 at 17:05

  31. would it work on a Dell Inspiron 6000?

    Jeremy said this on January 2nd, 2010 at 15:25

  32. [...] This guide will help you to install an internal webcam into a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop. The webcam will be mounted inside the display panel, above the LCD screen. The webcam connects to the motherboard via a cable running inside the display panel under the LCD screen. [...]

    How to install internal webcam into Dell Insprion 1525 laptop >> Inside my laptop said this on January 4th, 2010 at 18:57

  33. very good. Thankyou. You documented it well. Because of this article I went on to hunt down the components for my dell 1545, and it’s all done and working now. Very much appreciated.

    Owen said this on January 12th, 2010 at 10:56

  34. Excellent….worked great…my husband installed the webcam on my laptop while I was at work… Thanks for the great instructions…

    Becky said this on January 21st, 2010 at 17:42

  35. thank you for this guide from the links posted here i got everything i needed for about $30 it really came in handy when my wife was out of town working
    her and the kids could video chat and she could still reed them there bedtime story
    thank you so much

    pat said this on January 24th, 2010 at 11:43

  36. Hello I was just wondering what size drill bit you used to make the hole in the front panel since i have like every size

    john said this on January 26th, 2010 at 10:06

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