Adding audio files to YouTube...
...with accompanying still images if all you have at your disposal is Windows Movie Maker.
This particular version is for those unlucky enough to be stuck with Windows Vista.
You're wanting to achieve about 0.5 seconds of black then a half second fade through to your picture (on which there'll be around a 4 second title) whilst your audio track plays along to it.
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Open an image editor - if you're stuck on a locked down system I'd highly recommend a portable version of Gimp which can be installed and run from a USB stick.
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Open image.
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Change image size to height 720pixels (ensure the aspect ratio is fixed) and save under different name.
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Now select a new image of 1290 by 720 pixels. Use the paint pot tool to fill it in all black. Save this as a jpg file – low quality will be fine.
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Close image editor.
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Open Windows Movie Maker. (If you've not already done so, check the file viewer is set to timeline not thumbnail – the bit at the bottom of the window.)
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Import Media – click to import your audio file – (a decent mp3 would be good - I normaly use Audacity with Lame to cut/convert my audio - there's also a portable version of Audacity).
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Drag the audio file into audio/music timeline.
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Now to add the black picture – go to the Tools drop down menu, select Options then Advanced & for picture duration select 1 second. Make sure that Video Format is set as PAL, 16:9. (Whilst your in Options set your default effects duration to 0.5 seconds.)
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Click to Import Media again and select your black picture and drag this to the beginning of your video timeline.
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Repeat the process for your proper image. Once it's on your timeline hover your mouse over the right hand side of it till you see two arrows – now left click and drag the picture width out to the end of your audio file.
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Now add the black image to the end of your video timeline (if you can be bothered).
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That's the 'video' and audio in place – now it's time for the effects.
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Select Transitions and choose Fade – the only transition to use.
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Drag to the edit between the first bit of black and your proper image.
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To add the title first click on the main image on the timeline.
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Now click Titles and Credits and then choose Title on the selected clip. Change text font/size/animation to suit. Then click Add Title.
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We're done editing – assuming you like the length of the title – if not drag it out or back to the desired length – about 4 seconds should be fine.
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Time to publish it – select Publish Movie then choose This Computer then Next – Name it – choose More Settings and select Windows Media HD 720p (PAL). Click Publish and wait.
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You're done.