I am trying to use Skype - webcam worked initially (about 10 seconds) and now is not working .

here are few solutions / workarounds you may try.

1-from tools menue go to options->video settings. Now if you are able to see your image on the screen then the cam is working fine. click the webcam settings and default all the settings
2-secondly if the web cam is fine then try to initiate a voice call first and once the voice call is active then try to initiate the video call, This was a workaround we used to do long time ago for this kind of issue.
3-Try reinstalling skype

I had the same problem.... did an automatic update and right after that when i would go onto skype the other person's video would freeze after 20 to 30 seconds. I was running skype 4.2. I completely uninstalled skype and then downloaded version 5.0. problem solved.

If you can double click the Namuga webcam in My computer and see yourself the webcam is working O.K.
Sign in to Skype - Go to Tools, Options - Video Settings make sure there are NO choices saying NO One. else the webcam will not work.
Now when you call up a contact the webcam should work.
If The webcam doesn't work in My Computer, you need to go to http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/detail/supportPrdDetail.do?Menu=SP00&prd_ia_cd=05013600&prd_mdl_cd=&prd_mdl_name=NP-NC10&prd_ia_sub_class_cd=P
(Cut and Paste into Browser Address bar)... The Win XP Namuga webcam is the second in the WinXP list - click on the ZIP icon on the right to download it.
Unzip and install it - then follow the directions above...
Brian/Sammyone

Try to uninstall any other video software that might conflict with the driver of your Microsoft LifeCam

Before you can use your webcam in any chat program you have to configure it to that program

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 ?

Start Skype.
On the Tools menu, click 'Options'.
In the navigation pane of the Skype 'Options' window, click 'Audio Settings'
Set your speakers as default.
Select your webcam as the default microphone.
Click 'Save'
In the navigation pane of the Skype Options window, click Video Settings.
Select your webcam as the 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)

Test your webcam here by hitting "Allow" in top window and assessing your webcam in left hand panel.
If it works here, you know the hardware is OK. Now you have to configure it to any program you want to use it in
SkypeIf you have problems when you use your webcam device in Skype, you may have to configure the audio and video setting in Skype. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Start Skype.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. In the navigation pane of the Skype Options window, click Audio Settings.
4. Select your LifeCam device as the default microphone. For example, select Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000.
5. In the navigation pane of the Skype Options window, click Video Settings.
6. Select your LifeCam device as the default Webcam. For example, select Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000.
7. Click Save.
8. Test LifeCam 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)


I do not know the second program ( explorer express) but there will be a similar arrange for making your Hardware default

Check you have the latest driver - faults likes this are usually patched until a new driver is issued
Access Device Manager from the Control Panel and expand the Imaging folder.
Right click on your webcam text and update driver - select internet when prompted.
If you have the latest driver - check the Creative website and Skype for any forums that show similar problems

I experienced the same symptom (Skype would load with WinXP but NOT recoginize my HP Elite webcam and its ArcSoft drivers). I noticed that I could 'cure' the problem by manually stopping Skype after WinXP loaded (right click on the Skype task and Quit). Then, when Skype has stopped running and Windows is still up, manually restart Skype.

It appeared that the problem was one of task startup order. My system runs McAfee's Secuity Suite and that takes a FULL 2.5 minutes to activate after the initial Windows desktop appears.

So, for grins, I searched for a freeware startup manager (used WinPatrol) and installed it. I assigned the Skype startup task to the delayed column and set the delay to 2.5 minutes so Skype wouldn't try to load before the McAfee firewall was up and running. That cured the problem of Skype starting without seeing a webcam!

I played with the delay and found even WinPatrol's minimum delay (10-30 seconds) also provided relief...

hello you've probably given up and binned the cam by now - we nearly did. but solved it last night. It's the annoying photo editing program that opens automatically when your camera opens up that's interfering with Skype. called magic-i or something like that. Remove that from your comp and the camera works fine. good luck!!

The latest version of Skype 4.0.0.226
Try download and installing it first.
If you still have problems, then get back to me.