A web camera is absolutely necessary when connecting with friends via video call software like Skype or Google hangouts. But when the built-in webcam is your laptop has stopped working, what would you do? Send it to computer repair store or buy a new external computer camera? Actually the repair cost may be higher than a new external camera. And If you require high quality video call, it's better to have a USB camera. You have many choices of a good desktop webcam. What you should do to change built-in webcam to external computer camera?
Disable Internal Webcam
Disable the internal webcam through Windows. Click in the top right-3000camgirls corner of Windows and select the "Search" charm, then type "device manager." Click on "Device Manager" under "Control Panel" to launch Device Manager. Expand the section beside "Imaging Devices" and then right-click on your webcam and choose "Disable". After these process, your computer program like Skype is able to recognize your new pc camera.
Install New Webcam
USB webcam supports plug and play function. Just plug the device into an available USB port on your computer and wait while Windows installs the appropriate device drivers. A bubble appears in the system tray and says "Installing new hardware" and then "Your new hardware is installed and ready to use" will appear, once the drivers have been installed.
Webcam Software
Firstly, remove the software that came with your old web camera. Click in the top right-hand corner of Windows and click on the "Search" charm, then type "Control Panel" and click "Control Panel" from the search results to launch it. Click "Programs" and then "Uninstall a program." Scroll through the list until you find the old webcam software, select it, then click "Uninstall." Secondly, install new software to go with the new webcam. Insert the disc that came with your external webcam or download its software from the manufacturer's website. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish the installation.