i fixed my webcam. the solution was ridiculously simple, i found it on a forum. the fn-esp key switches the webcam on and off and mine was off. this is ridiculous. i could have fixed it months ago and thought it was a problem with the kernel and instrument. i was even contemplating buying a new webcam. goes to show, if you sit long enough and decide to fix a problem, it gets fixed. simple truths. my incompetence seriously stems from my laziness.