I'm sorry to hear things aren't working properly when viewing your friends' webcam. If you see a black screen when viewing a friend's webcam, here are a few things to try:

• Check the status message at the bottom of your viewer window. If it says "Stopped," the person broadcasting has stopped broadcasting images. Ask the person to resume broadcasting and try viewing again.
• If you know your camera is working, and the person IS broadcasting but you still see a black screen in your viewer, ask them to check their camera.

Here's how to have the other person check their camera:

1. Ask them to make sure there is enough light in the room. If it's too dark, their camera might not be able to pick up any details. Ask them to illuminate the room appropriately.
2. Ask them to try using their camera alone, separate from Yahoo! Messenger. They can use the manufacturer's software that came with the camera.
3. Finally, ask them to check to see if Yahoo! Messenger has the correct camera source selected. Here's how they can change their camera source:
1. Click "Messenger"
2. Click "My Webcam."
3. Click "Messenger" again.
4. Select "Preferences."
5. Click "Webcam."
6. Click "Camera Source."
7. Click the pull-down menu and select the camera you want to use.
8. Click "OK."

Hopefully the info here will help get things running smoothly!