Running CameraWebServer on Elegoo esp32 with camera fails, returns error

Update: I'm now trying to run a simpler sketch, Simple Time, and that worked. So that leads me to believe it is a problem with interacting with the camera component of the esp32. 

I know the camera works because I have used it before. However, after beginning to create my own code, I can no longer easily revert to the factory settings to reconfirm the camera is functioning. 

@leonardo1123 My first impression and educated guess is the board you are using has NO ram that can be used by the malloc(), that is the first error. I use ESP32-CAM boards for my cameras, works first time every time but as you probably know a bit of a pain to use due to the 2-sided design. Amazon recently came to the rescue with the following board.

"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B09M83D2NX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"

Change the amazon.ca to whatever your country amazon domain name is.

@leonardo1123 

Just a wild assed guess, but try providing a better power supply. It may just be browning out when it tries to allocate the frame buffer.

@zander Gotcha, thanks! I'm planning on picking up one or two of those very soon. In the meantime, is there a different board I can select from the list, or any options I can tweak to make what I have do what I want it to?

@leonardo1123 Yes, camera component as in 'frame_buffer' and malloc is the standard C function to alloc a piece of memory. If there is NO or not enough ram, the malloc will fail and the camera has no place to store the image.

@will Gotcha! Yeah, right now I'm just powering it from my laptop. Unfortunately, I don't have a great way of supplying better power without unplugging it from my laptop, and then I'll lose the serial information like the IP of the webpage. 

Maybe I'll try Bluetooth serial...

Update: My exact esp32 is ESP32-D0WDQ6 Rev 1

@leonardo1123 I have only used the AI-Thinker brand of ESP32-CAM boards.

@leonardo1123 Sorry, never heard of it.

@leonardo1123 Write down the IP, it is extremely unlikely to change. Also run an ipscanner if in doubt. I test with a 9V battery and one of those breadboard power supplies like this

"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07L84QZTY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1"

change the domain to whatever your country is.

@zander Okay, so I've gotten SimpleTime and SimpleServer to work. With any luck, I can start poking around with the communication between the arduino and the esp32, and then come back to the camera part of the esp when my new esps arrive (that you suggested!).

Sooooo.... gonna leave this unsolved in case I randomly figure this out, but I'm going to stop actively pursuing the solution. Thanks for your help!

@leonardo1123 I don't see that model in my defines. My actual code snap is attached. Also notr I have added WiFiMgr so I no longer need the IP. If you want that , there is another small code snippet needed, let me know or see Bills video. Regarding power, do you have a RaspberryPi wall wart, any good quality USB charger? Once the sketch is uploaded, just swap power and hit the reset button.

(@zander)

Okay, so, I have attempted each of the possible definitions, and none of them get this esp32 variant to start a webserver.

 They return two errors as specified in the comments, and listed in their entirety below:

malloc fail:

E (147) cam_hal: cam_dma_config(280): frame buffer malloc failed
E (147) cam_hal: cam_config(364): cam_dma_config failed
E (148) camera: Camera config failed with error 0xffffffff
Camera init failed with error 0xffffffff

no cam:

E (51) camera: Camera probe failed with error 0x105(ESP_ERR_NOT_FOUND)
Camera init failed with error 0x105

@leonardo1123 At this point I would assume the hardware is either incompatible or broken.