Why is a webcam screen blank?

Why does my webcam show a black screen on Yahoo Messenger.?

• I got a HP 3100 Web Cam for Christmas. When I try to use it on Yahoo Messenger, all I get is a black screen. It works on Skype. How do I fix this? Thanks!

• Answer:

  The webcam software setup in Yahoo is not as streamlined as the video set up in Skype or Yahoo In addition to the webcam set up you will need to check the support software - 1) Internet Explorer - IE is coded with Yahoo Messenger and responsible for most functions - Signing in, games, etc. You do not need to make it your default browser but keep it up to date and clean. 2) Microsoft DirectX . This comes pre-loaded on most Windows computers but has to be updated To start the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, click 'Start', click 'Run', type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK Run through the tabs checking the 'notes' windows for information The version will be shown on the 'Systems' tab YAHOO MESSENGER WEBCAM SET UP Plug in your webcam and visit this site - Hit 'Allow' in the top window and check your cam in the left hand panel. Do not proceed if the camera fails to work here, but concentrate on your webcam software / drivers http://www.testmycam.com/ Having proved your cam is working ,you can configure it to Yahoo Messenger 10. COMPATIBILITY WITH YAHOO MESSENGER You MUST use Internet Explorer to visit this page, with your webcam plugged in, to check compatibility and automatically download the latest webcam control. Make sure your webcam broadcasts on this page before moving on http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/messenger/messenger10/webcam/mstacamtest.html CONFIGURE SOFTWARE Its good practice to disconnect and re-connect your webcam before you start - if you have been using it elsewhere the Yahoo software may have difficulty in locating it. Mine, I just unplug it from the USB and plug it back in, if yours is integral with the computer you will have to re-start the computer, use a keyboard shortcut or disable / enable the webcam from the Device Manager. Of all the chat programs, Yahoo is the most painful software to set up but if you follow these instructions you should be ok. INTERNET CONNECTION Webcam connected Open messenger - on top toolbar. Left click ( > ) Messenger > Preferences > Connection - Select 'no proxies' or 'connect direct to the internet' depending on the version of messenger you have make sure your internet connection and country are correct in the lower two boxes > Apply > OK TESTING > Messenger > My webcam - the warning panel will launch, click 'OK' and your webcam will start. SET WEBCAM DEFAULT With webcam still running > Messenger > Preferences > Webcam Broadcast > Camera Source - set your webcam as default using dropbox. > Camera Settings - adjust settings to suit. > Apply > OK Take a note of any additional software, if you have multiple choice for Camera Source, you may wish to uninstall any redundant webcam software later to prevent conflicts AUDIO Open Video and Voice - run through your default equipment and make a test call - click OK PERMISSION OPTIONS > Messenger > Preferences > Webcam - make your default equipment selections and who you will allow to view you > Apply > OK Any problems - click on my avatar and message me