Alexander: Getting video to work on Facebook

Q: When I attempt a video call with anyone on Facebook, we can hear each other and they can see me, but I can't see them. I can only see myself, "live," in the upper-right-hand corner of the screen. Instead of seeing the other person on the main part of the screen, I see a "frozen" image of myself. I have no problems when I use other video calling services, such as Skype or iChat. What can I do?

LaVon Hostetler, Fairfield, Iowa

A: Facebook's video calling uses Skype, so it's curious that you can use stand-alone Skype but not the Facebook version. But Facebook suggests some possible causes.

Web browser: Make sure that you and the person you're calling are using a Web browser that supports Facebook video calling. The 64-bit version of Internet Explorer is not supported. For a list of PC and Macintosh browsers that support Facebook video calling, see tinyurl.com/ce7r5h5.

If you have a 64-bit PC, but need to install the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer for Facebook video calling, you can download it at tinyurl.com/4kjhrsp.

DirectX software: If you and the person you are calling are using Windows PCs, you both need to have the latest version of Microsoft's DirectX software. The latest DirectX version numbers for the different types of Windows can be found at tinyurl.com/buj8tuo. To download, go to tinyurl.com/cwlc3fo and type in the correct DirectX version number behind the search term I've created there: "Download DirectX".

Wireless: If you're using a wireless Internet signal, and it's weak, that could be the problem. Try a wired Internet connection.

To find out on a PC, go to Control Panel and click the System icon. Processor chips that are too slow include the Intel Pentium D and AMD64. Each computer in the video call needs to have at least 1 gigabyte of RAM.

Software conflict: Some antivirus programs can interfere with Facebook video calling. As a last resort, you and the person you are calling might briefly disable your antivirus software and see if that's the problem. If it is, get different antivirus software right away.

Q: I have been trying to download the Adobe e-book software so I can download library books. Could you please give me the Web address for this?

Cindy Birtzer, Eau Claire, Wis.

A: The Adobe Digital Editions e-reader software is widely used by public libraries for lending e-books to patrons in a way that protects the copyright material in the book. You can download the free software for PC or Macintosh at tinyurl.com/c2delcd.