webcam not working with skype.

I had gotten a new Dell laptop just to skype with my dad who lives on the other side of the United states as me. The webcam worked up utill recently. Now no matter what i try, I've downloaded all softwares that dell has sent me to. I have not tried to get a hold of someone personally from Dell yet, but if no one can answer my question here, thats what I'll have to end up doing. Any suggestions would be nice. Thanks again.