How Can I Tell If Someone on MSN Has a Webcam?

The MSN Messenger communications software allows you to both send text messages to other people as well as engage in video chatting with an attached webcam. A webcam will require a built-in microphone to hear the person as well as see the person. If you'd like to find out whether someone you're about to talk to using MSN Messenger has a webcam installed on her computer, you need to look no further than your own "Buddy List."

Instructions

1. Open MSN Messenger by clicking on its system tray icon on your computer.

2. Double-click on the name of the person from your Buddy List that you're trying to determine has a webcam. This opens a "New Message" window.

3. Click on the "Webcam" icon from the top of the "New Message" window. If the person has a webcam installed, you will see a message on screen indicating that a request to chat has been sent to that person. If that person has no such webcam, you will see a message stating that a webcam chat session cannot be initiated due to the lack of hardware.

Tips & Warnings

• The procedure will also work for someone not on your Buddy List, as long as you know his screen name.

References

• Imageshack: MSN Messenger
• Microsoft: How to have a video conversation in MSN Messenger