How to use webcam on HP mini 1000?

I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but I just received my HP mini 1000 and do not know how to use the webcam. Do I need special software in order to use it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Hardware and programs but no sweat, have you checked under your start menu programs? Usually it would be there, then check your program files maybe theres a folder for your webcam software...

BTW do you have the manual that came with it??? I find it hard to believe they do not adress the webcam in it

 

Testing to verify the built-in HP WebCam is operating
After you have updated Vista with Service Pack 1 and ensured that you have the latest drivers and BIOS, you should test to verify the webcam operation. HP recommends that you use at least two of the three following methods to ensure that the problem is not application related. If your webcam fails any of these application tests, go to the appropriate vendor's web site to download the latest software or any updates for that specific application.
Test the webcam using QuickPlay
To verify that the webcam on an HP Pavilion notebook PC that shipped with Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 installed is operating properly, perform the following QuickPlay test in Windows Vista. This test verifies that the webcam is working and can record or play video files.
NOTE: The icons shown in the following instructions may or may not be the same as in your version of QuickPlay, as they often change with updates.

1. Press the QuickPlay button (normally located near the display) on the notebook PC to open the QuickPlay application.
NOTE: If this takes you to DVDPlay instead of QuickPlay, then you are probably not using an HP Pavilion notebook and you do not have QuickPlay installed. You should skip this test and go to Test the webcam using YouCam instead.
Alternately, click Start , type QuickPlay in the search field, and select QuickPlay when it becomes available to open the QuickPlay application.
2.
Click the icon, and double-click HP webcam in the Source column.
The input from the webcam displays on the screen.
3.
Click Record in the QuickPlay window to record a short webcam file, and then press Stop .
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By default, the file is saved in a public folder, and the date is used as the name of the video file.
For example: C:\Users\Public\Videos\HP Webcam\webcam_20070228_1540.mpg.
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The saved file can be renamed and moved for use by QuickPlay or other media programs.
4.
Double-click the name of the file in the playlist in the QuickPlay window to view the short webcam file.
5.
If you can view this file, this concludes this test. You should now test with YouCam.

If you have a third-part webcam, see HP Notebook PCs - Testing a Webcam in Vista with QuickPlay for additional information.
Test the webcam using YouCam
To verify that the webcam on an HP or Compaq computer that shipped with Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 installed is operating properly, perform the following YouCam test. This test verifies that the webcam is working and can record or play video files.

1.
Click Start , type you in the search field, and select Cyberlink YouCam from the resulting list.
After a few seconds, the program starts and the webcam image should be visible in the main viewing window.
2.
Click in the main control bar to record a short webcam file, and then press Stop .
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By default, the file is saved in the Documents folder, in a subfolder named YouCam, with a generic name based on the date.
For example: Capture_20080327.wmv
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To navigate to this folder, click Start , Computer , and then select Documents under Favorites, and then open the YouCam folder.
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The saved file can be renamed and moved for use by YouCam or other media programs.
3.
Double-click the name of the file in the playlist in the YouCam window to view the short webcam file.
4.
This test verifies that the webcam is working and can record or play video files.

To test the operation of a third-party webcam, see HP Notebook PCs - Testing a Webcam in Vista with YouCam for additional information.
Testing the camera using Windows Live Messenger
To verify that the webcam on an HP Notebook PC that shipped with Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 installed is operating properly, perform the following Windows Live Messenger test in Windows Vista. This test verifies that the webcam is working and can record or play video files.
The Windows Live Messenger allows you to participate in a video conference with other users. To hold a video conference, both users must have a working webcam. It is not necessary for both PCs to have the same operating system, but for best results, both PCs should be using the latest version of the Windows Live Messenger.
In order to set up a PC for a video conference in Windows Live Messenger, do the following:

1.
The first time you set up for a conference, click Start , type live , and select Get Windows Live Messenger Download from the list supplied and follow the on-screen instructions.
On the Microsoft web site, click Get it free to start the download.
2.
When prompted with a security warning, click Run and follow the on-screen instructions to install the program.

After Windows Live Messenger downloads and installs, set it up as follows:

1.
Open Windows Live Messenger, click Tools , Audio & Video Setup , click Next , and then follow the on-screen instructions to configure the:
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Speakers
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Microphone
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Video settings
2.
When the Audio & Video setup is finished, click Actions , Video , Start a Video Call .
NOTE: To test in a call, the other party must the same version of Windows Live Messenger that you are using and you both must Windows Live IDs.
3.
When the other person answers the call, the video images display in the Windows Live Messenger window.
4.
Click End Video Call to end the call and close the program.