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awa355
20th March 2013, 12:02
My newish Samsung laptop has a built in webcam. How can I activate it to check it works etc. Surely, it wouldn't only open when a prog like skype was running? I have skype but never use it.
I tried searching for the webcam in the control panel search box but cant find any reference to a webcam.
SMOKEU
20th March 2013, 13:18
Is the driver installed? If it's running Windows then check the device manager to see what that says.
bogan
20th March 2013, 13:22
I think back with XP you could take previews in windows explorer, but with vista and 7 you need some software to access it, like skype, which you have...

Though it does beg the question, if you have no use for software that uses the cam, does it matter if it works or not?
steve_t
20th March 2013, 13:53
;)

http://reportergary.com/2013/01/hackers-can-activate-your-webcam-without-your-knowledge-and-spy-on-you/
Fergus
20th March 2013, 13:55
I tried searching for the webcam in the control panel search box but cant find any reference to a webcam.

Do a global (start menu) search, you are looking for a program, programs aren't found in the control panel.

FYI mine is called 'Web Camera Application', (preinstalled on a toshiba with win7) and can't be found searching for 'webcam'...
awa355
20th March 2013, 14:51
I think back with XP you could take previews in windows explorer, but with vista and 7 you need some software to access it, like skype, which you have...

Though it does beg the question, if you have no use for software that uses the cam, does it matter if it works or not?

Probably not, but if its part of the pc, I'd like to know how to fire it up, should Pippa Middleton happen to call me. :tugger:
3umph
20th March 2013, 14:54
Go to the samsung website I would be sure they would have the driver download on there somewhere
awa355
20th March 2013, 14:57
;)

http://reportergary.com/2013/01/hackers-can-activate-your-webcam-without-your-knowledge-and-spy-on-you/

Where do I sign up for the Hackers course? Could be interesting.
awa355
20th March 2013, 15:20
Cancel this tread. just worked out that I didn't have Skype installed, done that and the camera works fine.
G4L4XY
21st March 2013, 14:50
Or you could've gone to a site like www.camroid.com to test the camera actually works.