What do i do when my webcam screen doesn't work and i get a black screen when i want to chat?

YAHOO MESSENGER
Test your webcam here to make sure it broadcasts ok - Hit 'Allow' in the top window and check your cam in the left hand panel.

http://www.testmycam.com/

Having proved your cam is working ,you can configure it to Yahoo Messenger 10.
COMPATIBILITY WITH YAHOO MESSENGER
Use Internet Explorer to visit this page to check compatibility and automatically download the latest webcam control

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. You should be rewarded at this stage with your happy smiling face.

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

PERMISSION OPTIONS
> Messenger > Preferences > Webcam - make your default equipment selections and who you will allow to view you > Apply > OK

IN USE
When you are both on line and wish to show your webcam > Actions > 'Invite to view my webcam'.
Messenger 10:- > Actions > More Actions > invite to view my webcam. This will launch an invitation on your contacts screen when they 'Accept' your webcam broadcast will start- There can be considerable time lag ( +1 minute) before they see you, so don't be too impatient ( You can check the status on the bottom left of your webcam panel. You can 'drag and drop' the frame to a convenient location by grabbing the top border.

Your contacts may need to configure their connection the same as INTERNET CONNECTION above (Ignoring webcam connected) if they get a "webcam not connected" message

Sometimes you may have to broadcast the 'small image' option from the 'Webcam' menu on the top of your image frames. This happens when one of you is down on resources -its like sending a large photo by email - its quicker if you cut the size down
you can zoom up to 200% from the same menu when the webcam picture comes through

Use the 'Always on top' option from the 'webcam' menu - or your image will disappear under the message window when you type a message

WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER
Test your webcam here to make sure it broadcasts ok - Hit 'Allow' in the top window and check your cam in the left hand panel.

http://www.testmycam.com/

Having proved your cam is working ,you can configure it to WLM (MSN)

CONFIGURE SOFTWARE to MSN
Its good practice to disconnect and re-connect your webcam before you start - if you have been using it elsewhere the MSN software may have difficulty in locating it, even if you exited the previous program correctly.
The reason being, the webcam software can remain hooked-up to a program and needs to be rebooted.
Mine, I just unplug it from the USB and plug it back in to reboot the software.
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.

Open MSN
Click 'Open Menu'
From 'Tools; navigate to, and click, 'Audio and Video setup'
Set your speakers
Click 'Test' - if OK, move on.
Set your mic as default
Use the slider to set volume and test.
Click 'Next'
This takes you to the video setup
Your webcam should be broadcasting - (if not - make sure the webcam is set as default - restart MSN)
Use 'Webcam Settings'to fine tune the picture.
Click 'Finish'

SKYPE
Test your webcam here to make sure it broadcasts ok - Hit 'Allow' in the top window and check your cam in the left hand panel.

http://www.testmycam.com/

working OK ?

CONFIGURE TO SKYPE
Connect webcam
Its good practice to disconnect and re-connect your webcam before you start (To reboot the webcam software) - if you have been using it elsewhere the SKYPE software may have difficulty in locating it, even if you exited the previous program correctly.
The reason being, the webcam software can remain hooked-up to a program and needs to be rebooted.
Mine, I just unplug it from the USB and plug it back in to reboot the software.
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.

Start Skype.
On the 'Tools' menu, click 'Options'.
In the navigation pane of the Skype 'Options' window, click 'Audio Settings'
Run down the list setting your defaults
Select your webcam as the default microphone.
Make a free test call
Click 'Save'
In the navigation pane of the Skype Options window, click Video Settings.
This will launch your webcam
Adjust quality of picture in 'Settings'
Check the correct webcam is shown as default
Click Save
Test your webcam by making a Skype test call.
For more information about how to configure Skype Messenger, please visit the following Skype Web site:
http://support.skype.com (http://support.skype.com)