1. Download OpenCV 2.1 for VS2008
2. Create a new console project in VS2008
3. On properties project-> Configuration properties do the following :
C/C++ -> General-> Additional Include Directories enter:
C:\OpenCV2.1\include\opencv
4. Under Linker->General->Additional Library Directories enter: 
C:\OpenCV2.1\lib
5. Under Linker->Input->Additional Dependencies (libraries) enter: 
cv210d.lib
cxcore210d.lib
highgui210d.lib
6. You can test it using some code like:
#include "stdafx.h"
#include <cv.h>
#include <cxcore.h>
#include <highgui.h>
int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
{
        IplImage *img = cvLoadImage("image.jpg");
        cvNamedWindow("Image:",1);
        cvShowImage("image:",img);
        cvWaitKey();
        cvDestroyWindow("Image:");
        cvReleaseImage(&img);
        return 0;
}
By: Matthew Stofflet
