How do I access my webcam on my HP laptop?

[CoachKatieMP]

Yes, this is a simple question, yet I can't figure it out.  Should it be in my Devices and Printers?  Help!  I need to record some videos.

[martyct]

On mine it's -  control panel, hardware and sound, devices and printers, device manager, imaging devices, HP web cam. Open that for control on/off

[CoachKatieMP]

Thank you!  Ok, now how do I use it?  I can't seem to open it to record something.

[martyct]

I have never used mine but I tried with Windows movie maker. There is a webcam symbol at the top. When I click it, it appears it can't find the camera. Try that, and maybe you'll better luck. I also tried HP mediasmart video. Webcam listed at bottom of page. Clicked it with no luck. Glad I don't need the cam.

I'll fool around with it later.

[CoachKatieMP]

It works!  Thank you!

[martyct]

Now you can fix mine.

[LRP2011]

My laptop (Pavillion dv7-4190us) no longer recognizes that it has a webcam. When I go through MediaSmart, it says there is no webcam and I need to plug one in. It has an internal webcam ~ any suggestions on how to fix it?

[LRP2011]

Well, I ran a BIOS update, and updated my Adobe and Shockwave (don't know if those two made a difference, it automatically came up to update them after the BIOS update ran). I pulled up MediaSmart after the BiOS update and I have a webcam again ~ yay!!!

[AlecW]

Where do i find the BIOS update?

[KGarza]

click Start then search youcam.thats the name of the webcam