1. Head to the Yahoo home page, turn on Yahoo Messenger using the 'Messenger' link and log in using your account name and password. You'll need to create an account if you haven't done so already (see Resources below).
2. Click the 'Messenger' followed by the 'Start My Webcam' option. This will load your webcam, and is among the ways you can get your webcam to begin broadcasting.
3. Click on the camera icon that appears in a chat window while you are talking to a friend.
4. Click on a contact from your Contact List, then click 'Invite to View My Webcam.' This opens a new IM window with your webcam active.
5. Click the 'View Webcam' link while talking to others in IM. This will allow you to see their webcams.
6. Use the 'Super Webcam' mode when you want to send and receive high-quality images and feeds. Broadband makes it possible to see one another in very high resolution, although even with high-end broadband your computer may slow down a bit because of the amount of memory and processing power this requires.
7. Click 'Webcam' followed by the 'Who's Watching Me' button to see which of your friends is receiving your webcam's feed.

Download the manufacturer's software ( by using the CD or from their website )
Once your webcam is working on your computer,you can configure it to Yahoo Messenger.
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, unless the software has a feature for this.
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.

DEFAULT
With webcam still running > Messenger > Preferences > Webcam > 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 selections ( 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'. 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 dont 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.
There is a shortcut ( webcam icon ) down by your pic as well
Your contacts needs to configure their connection the same as above or they may get a "webcam not connected" message

If you complete the above and still have problems - check to see if your cam is compatible with Yahoo

YAHOO SPECIFICATION
To find out what the requirements are for messenger webcams, check out the following.
http://help.yahoo.com/l/uk/yahoo/messenger/messenger9/webcam/mstacamreq.html;_ylt=AghoQIvxhmhcugo.AOaNKaokPCV4

See section B. Yahoo Messenger in the info below to setup the Audio & Video.
Also send this to your family and friends so they have their computer setup properly.
Web Camera's have to be setup on the program they are to be used with. Just installing the camera on your computer does not set it up to broadcast on messengers or Skype.
Each program has Options that have to be setup in order for the Audio and Video to function properly.
A. Skype Setup:
After downloading and installing Skype (http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype/windows/beta/downloading/ )
set it up as follows:
Go to Tools, then Options, and click on Audio Settings and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
Then click on the Video Settings.
The camera, if Installed Properly, it will come up and show a video picture.
Then, on the bottom of the page click save.
The camera and audio should function properly. Your friends and Family will now be able to see and hear you.
B. Yahoo Setup:
After downloading and installing Yahoo Messenger (http://www.soft32.com/download_30.HTML )
set it up as follows:
Go to Messenger at the top left and click on it.
Next go down to Preferences and click on it.
Next Calling and Devices on the right and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
Next go to the Test Audio section and (in blue writing) click on "Open the call setup assistant" and follow the instructions on the left window.
C. Windows Live Messenger:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d78f2ff1-79ea-4066-8ba0-ddbed94864fc&displaylang=en
After you start Windows Live Messenger, expand the view by clicking on the square on top left next to the red X.
Then on the Windows Live messenger window on the right side, click on " "Show Menus." And then click on "Show the Menu Bar".
Next go to the Menu Bar on right side, click on " "Action."
Go to "TOOLS" and click "Audio and Video Setting" and follow the instructions.
NOTE: Your audio and video should work. Enjoy.
When done both the Audio and Video will function properly so you can chat and see family or friends you are connected to.
D. AIM (AOL) Messenger:
http://dashboard.aim.com/aim
On the VIM sign-in window, click on Edit.
Then click on Settings Enhanced IM.
Next click on Enhanced IM.
Then click on Audio Video.
The Audio and Video portion has drop downs so you can select the proper audio card and video camera installed in you computer.
The Audi Video drop downs are
Microphone
Speaker
Camera
The audio and camera should function now.
Additional information to use with VIM settings.
Adjust Your Audio and Video Settings:
In order to adjust your audio and video settings, please follow the steps given below:
1. Click the Audio and Video Settings button directly below the My Buddy or My Camera window. If you are currently
Participating in an AOL Live Video IM session, a message will display: You must disconnect the current AOL Live Video IM
conversation before running setup. Would you like to disconnect now? Click the Yes button.
2. The Audio and Video Tuning Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers and microphone are working
Properly. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Notes:
The first time you use AOL Live Video IM, a message will display: Would you like to first check your audio and video settings? Click the Yes button.
The Audio and Video Tuning Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers and microphone are working properly.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
images in AOL Live Video IM may appear reversed, or as a mirror image (text may appear backwards) when you look at your own camera feed or at the
Picture-in-picture (PIP) display.
After making the settings your ready for a chat and video talk with your Family and Friends. Hope this helps. Bud