HELP! Cant get microscope to work for grandson

Chickenbrain2009

I have bought a US digital microscope for my grandson who is going through a tough time at the moment. It is a cheap Maplin Gadget 400 x USB microscope. Now it looks as easy as pie to install, but I am finding it very hard to get an image. When I turn it on the image is a standard grey. I can get a feint image but absolutely nothing like some of the pics I have seen posted up for this microscope. I am not very technical, I have tried focusing it, reinstalling it, turning the illumination up and down. The reviews I have seen are generally good for the cost, although they all say the instructions are poor. That is something of an understatement. There are no troubleshooting instructions at all. I am sure I simply need to do something simple, as I am getting an image. I am supposed to be taking it round today, and he has been looking forward to it :eek: Has anyone got one of these or can offer some advice? All I seem to get is grey with small fuzzy likes. Grateful if you can help me out of a crisis.

Thanks
Pam

poppellerant

I assume that this is the microscope? http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-digital-microscope-with-400x-magnification-286566

If so, have you tried the latest drivers/software link on that page? Or are you using the ones on the supplied CD?

[Deleted User]

when you are 'looking' at the microscope, if you turn the lights on/off (or shine a torch at it ) - can you see a change in the microscope image?

I'm just wondering if this is a focusing or lens issue, rather than a 'computer' one