Can't use camera or PC speaker!

[Eireann]

Just as the title says. The camera and speaker conked out last night, and I have no idea what to do. Evidently, I need to activate Windows (though I don't know if that's related), and I don't have the key for it because I bought this PC second-hand. What should I try?

[RealUnimportant]

Assuming the camera and speaker connect via USB, if they go through the same hub then try removing it from the chain of devices to see if either or both work when plugged in directly.

1. If both work this way, replace the hub.
2. If only one works this way, leave the one that didn't work unplugged and try the good one through the hub again, and if that works the problem's the broken device.
3. If it still doesn't work, the problem is the hub and a possible cause or casualty is the other device.
4. If neither work when connected directly, the problem may the computer. If you have another USB socket you can try on it, repeat from start, and if nothing still works it's definitely the computer in some way.

I don't know if Windows decides to ignore USB devices or not when it considers itself unactivated. It should offer you a link to follow that will talk you through the activation service.