My webcam on msn shows a black screen how do i fix this so my friend can see me?

Set your webcam mic (if it has one) as default
Vista - If you have an earlier OS, you may have to access your hardware from the Control Panel and set the default mic from there - make sure its plugged in.

Vista
Plug in the webcam

TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

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/

If it fails to work here concentrate on your webcam drivers and software before moving forward.

http://www.nodevice.com/driver/company/Genius/PC_Camera.html

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'