[Solved] Latest Skype 8.9.0.1 Display Nothing.

[SETHANATH]

Hi there,

I updated my Skype to version 8.9.0.1, and it displays nothing, as you can see from the screen shot. The same issue would happen if I downloaded the installation file from https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/, or installed it from Mint's "Software Manager". With prior version of Skype (Beta), It would seem to work, as I don't have a chance to test it by chatting to anyone.

Selection_001.png

I am using LM 18.2 with Cinnamon.
Linux 4.8.0-53-generic
4.5.0 NVIDIA 384.90

I hope someone can help.

[phd21]

Hi "SETHANATH",

It would help to know more about your system setup. If you run "inxi -Fxzd" and "lsusb" from the console terminal prompt, highlight the results, copy and paste them back here, that should provide enough information.

I just checked the system requirements for this latest version of Skype and it is only for 64-bit computers. You may need to logout and or restart after installing this.

Although Skype is a great multi-media messaging application, it is not a secure means of communication. I still recommend to all Skype users to switch to a secure multi-media messaging application like "qTox (Qtox)" (a "Tox" messenger), "Wire" - created by ex-Skype developers and has 32-bit and 64-bit versions, Jitsi, Linphone, Ring, etc...

Hope this helps ...

[SETHANATH]

Hi phd21,

Below are the result you requested. I will also check out those software that you mentioned. I am surprised to hear that Skype is not built for secure communication.
Rebooting or logout and log back in would not help at all.

$ inxi -Fxzd
System: Host: erick-ASRock-N68C-GS4-FX Kernel: 4.8.0-53-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
Desktop: Cinnamon 3.4.6 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
Distro: Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya
Machine: Mobo: ASRock model: N68C-GS4 FX
Bios: American Megatrends v: P1.50 date: 02/16/2016
CPU: Dual core AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB
flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 svm) bmips: 12520
clock speeds: max: 3130 MHz 1: 3130 MHz 2: 3130 MHz
Graphics: Card: NVIDIA GM107 [GeForce GTX 750 Ti] bus-ID: 03:00.0
Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: nvidia (unloaded: fbdev,vesa,nouveau)
Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz
GLX Renderer: GeForce GTX 750 Ti/PCIe/SSE2
GLX Version: 4.5.0 NVIDIA 384.90 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio: Card-1 C-Media CMI8788 [Oxygen HD Audio]
driver: snd_oxygen port: e800 bus-ID: 05:04.0
Card-2 NVIDIA Device 0fbc driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 03:00.1
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.0-53-generic
Network: Card-1: Qualcomm Atheros QCA8171 Gigabit Ethernet
driver: alx port: cc00 bus-ID: 01:00.0
IF: enp1s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Card-2: Ralink MT7601U Wireless Adapter
driver: mt7601u usb-ID: 001-003
IF: wlx502b73d80d06 state: N/A mac: N/A
Drives: HDD Total Size: 3000.6GB (12.3% used)
ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD20EARX size: 2000.4GB
ID-2: /dev/sdb model: Hitachi_HDT72101 size: 1000.2GB
Optical-1: /dev/sr0 model: HL-DT-ST BDDVDRW UH12NS30
rev: 1.03 dev-links: cdrom
Features: speed: 1x multisession: yes
audio: yes dvd: yes rw: cd-r,cd-rw,dvd-r,dvd-ram state: running
Optical-2: /dev/sr1 model: HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H31N
rev: B110 dev-links: cdrw,dvd,dvdrw
Features: speed: 48x multisession: yes
audio: yes dvd: yes rw: cd-r,cd-rw,dvd-r state: running
Partition: ID-1: / size: 1.8T used: 336G (20%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
ID-2: swap-1 size: 8.59GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 42.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 0.0:36C
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 190 Uptime: 1:55 Memory: 1670.0/7982.5MB
Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35

$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 148f:7601 Ralink Technology, Corp. MT7601U Wireless Adapter
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 045e:075c Microsoft Corp.
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 258a:0001
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Thank you.

[phd21]

Hi "SETHANATH"

You are welcome...

I do not see anything wrong with the results of the "inxi -Fxzd" command, so that is good.

I just installed this newer Skype from their website into my Linux Mint KDE 18.2 system, and it went through the motions of "logging in" and the initial setup, but it would not finish until I restarted, then it came up fine and went through 4 initial setup steps. It seems to be up and running fine now, see screenshots.

It is well known that Skype is not secure and there have been many articles on the Internet on how almost every government, and a lot of "other" agencies, and hackers, are monitoring its user's communications, and how hackers have used it to take information and files, remote control, and use the camera to monitor users.

Of course you can sandbox Skype and all other applications that access the Internet using "Firejail" to help stop hackers. Using a VPN provider will also help secure Skype communications too. I just tested this new Skype using "firejail" and a vpn connection using their "Echo sound test service" and it worked for me.

And, it is recommended to disable your webcam's camera and mic when not in use, even using a piece of tape to cover the camera and or microphone, regardless of which applications or operating system you may use. Obviously, people can just run off their computer, unplug external webcams, and or use certain software or console terminal commands to disable cameras and microphones when not in use.

Hope this helps ...

Skype1.jpg

Skype2.jpg

[SETHANATH]

Mine is still white, though

I will keep searching the internet for the solution.

[phd21]

Hi "SETHANATH",

Sorry to hear that your Skype is not installing or working properly.

Revamped Skype Desktop App Released 2017
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/10/new- ... p-released


Here are some more suggestions.

I am obviously using Linux Mint KDE 17.3 and Linux Mint KDE 18.2. I installed this new version of Skype in 18.2. I just booted into my Linux Mint KDE 17.3 to install it there.

KDE can use KDE and GTK/Gnome applications and there are 2 different package installers for "deb" files, "QApt" usually for KDE apps and the default, and "GDebi" for GTK/Gnome. Some applications are specifically designed for GTK/Gnome and for some reason do not install properly on my system unless I use the "GDebi" installer versus the "QApt" installer. In my Linux Mint 17.3 the package installed, but did not update my menus, only the older Skype was still there. I installed the "GDebi" package installer from the "Synaptic Package Manager (SPM)". Then, I right clicked the new Skype For Linux deb file and chose "GDebi" and it installed perfectly and updated my menu??? This has happened with some other "deb" files for me, but most install just fine regardless of which deb package installer I choose.

Also, after installing some applications, the command below will finish installing it and or install missing dependencies, and it is always safe to run it.

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install -f

I noticed that with a lot of Internet applications, especially messengers, that this package below needs to be installed. I already had this installed. I did not see this as a dependency for Skype, but it is worth a try. Then re-try installing the Skype deb file...

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https

For reference, the above console terminal command is also a requirement for installing the "Wire" multi-media messenger, a secure alternative to Skype.
https://github.com/wireapp/wire-desktop ... p-on-Linux


FYI: For people using the "Firejail" sandboxing application for applications that access the Internet, like browsers, etc..., when downloading "deb" file installers, save them to your "/Downloads" folder, and if the browser automatically starts the "deb" file installation, cancel it because it will probably not install correctly. Then, browse with your file manager to your downloaded deb file and double click it, or right click and open with one of the package installers.


Hope this helps ...

Deb_Package_Installers2.jpg

[raspu]

Same thing here. I've been searching Skype's help forums, and it seems a common occurrence after the last update. It seems to happen in several Linux distros, not only Mint. As usual, Microsoft breaks everything that falls in its hands, or perhaps they are crippling its Linux Skype client on purpose. Anyway, I don't use Skype much because I prefer other alternatives, such as Telegram or even Hangouts.

[JerryF]

...
I updated my Skype to version 8.9.0.1, and it displays nothing, as you can see from the screen shot...

Try uninstalling Skype.
Delete the hidden folder in your Home folder for Skype (it starts with a .)
Delete the repository for Skype in Software Sources, Additional repositories.
Download the app from Skype and install.

Maybe that will help.

[SETHANATH]

...
I updated my Skype to version 8.9.0.1, and it displays nothing, as you can see from the screen shot...

Try uninstalling Skype.
Delete the hidden folder in your Home folder for Skype (it starts with a .)
Delete the repository for Skype in Software Sources, Additional repositories.
Download the app from Skype and install.

Maybe that will help.

I have just tried the steps above. However, I am still facing the same issue. I will search the internet for more clues.

Thank you so much.

[KD1NQ]

I discovered that you can use the Skype extension in either the Chrome or Chromium browser in Linux Mint and it works fine. All I had to do was reset to the proper microphone input. Skype defaulted to the wrong one. If you only have one input device you shouldn't have a problem. The Firefox Skype extension does not work in Linux. It loads ok but you cannot make calls.

[SETHANATH]

Hi Everyone,

The lastest Skype 8.10.0.04 arrive to LM 18.2 Cinnamon today. My problem is now solved.

Thank you so much for your time.

[now3by]

Skype 8.10.0.4... same problem.
I had to set microphone to specific device and this seem to solved the main problem - after call started blank image and skype freeze.
Speakers on default are showed as muted but seem to work in call.

No idea why they have to disable previous working version.

Skype remain one of the worst MS sw...

[geekomatic]

Piping in as another user with broken Skype.

Mint 17.1, all up-to-date. I've uninstalled Skype & reinstalled it a few times now but no go....Tried everything suggested here, so far.

Is there possibly something either not installing or not uninstalling that could cause this? Is there a way to completely remove Skype, 100%?

[JerryF]

Piping in as another user with broken Skype.

Mint 17.1, all up-to-date. I've uninstalled Skype & reinstalled it a few times now but no go....Tried everything suggested here, so far.

Is there possibly something either not installing or not uninstalling that could cause this? Is there a way to completely remove Skype, 100%?

Please start a new post. Most members won't view this one, now that it's been marked solved.