Skype audio - impossible

[OnlyMe]

I am not able to pass the Sound test in Skype. It tells me problems with audio playback.

When I check Synaptic, I have the first two Skype packages installed. There is a total of four Skype packages in Synaptic. I am wondering if one of the other two added to my Skype install would help with the audio problem.

I am using a Dell Inspiron 1525 Celeron (shipped with XP) and Mint 5.

Here are the descriptions of the other two packages:

A VoIP software - static variant - Medibuntu package
Skype is a proprietary peer-to-peer Internet telephony (VoIP) software.
The Skype communications system is notable for its broad range of features,
including free voice and video conferencing, and its ability to use peer to
peer (decentralized) technology to overcome common firewall and NAT problems.

This package is in Medibuntu because it is not freely redistribuable.

This package isn't supported by Ubuntu: DON'T REPORT BUGS TO UBUNTU!

Please report any bug to our bug tracker instead:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/medibuntu/+bugs

This package contains the "static" Skype variant, which ships its own Qt4
libraries instead of using the ones available on the user's system.

A VoIP software - static-oss variant - Medibuntu package
Skype is a proprietary peer-to-peer Internet telephony (VoIP) software.
The Skype communications system is notable for its broad range of features,
including free voice and video conferencing, and its ability to use peer to
peer (decentralized) technology to overcome common firewall and NAT problems.

This package is in Medibuntu because it is not freely redistribuable.

This package isn't supported by Ubuntu: DON'T REPORT BUGS TO UBUNTU!

Please report any bug to our bug tracker instead:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/medibuntu/+bugs

This package contains the "static-oss" Skype variant, which ships its own Qt4
libraries instead of using the ones available on the user's system, and uses
the Open Sound System (OSS) instead of the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture
(ALSA).

[merlwiz79]

The static-oss should fix your sound problems.

[OnlyMe]

So just add it from synaptic to the two I already have?

Wish I wasn't such a chicken, LOL!

[OnlyMe]

Thank you for your suggestion merlwiz.
I installed the static oss and it removed the first instance of skype.
I can hear my voice on Skype Echo Test but it is of very poor quality with noise in the background.
I have tried probably every conceivable combinations of settings and the above is as good as it gets.
I have all my settings in sound on Alsa. Also tried OSS and Auto detect before that.
I have Recording set for Capture, Digital, Mux 1.
I have headphones as line out and IEC958 1 selected.
When I test sound all but Sound Capture works.
I have tried two sets of earplug & mic.
Skype is a must have app for me.

Please! Are there any other suggestions?

Edit: I am going out of town Friday and would like to bring my laptop with me and show off my nice Minty Linux distro. It will be embarrassing if my Skype isn't working.

[OnlyMe]

No other suggestions to get the audio clear on Skype? It is not usable as it is now.

[merlwiz79]

Remove skype-static-oss.
Install skype-common skype or just skype-static.
Then try these instructions and make sure to backup and files edited http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-fix-th ... on-fedora9
In users and groups click your username ans then click manage groups.
Select one of the 3 they show and click properties to add yourself to it.

I don't use skype so I don't know if it works.

[OnlyMe]

vi /etc/pulse/daemon.conf

I can't write to the file. I can see it but cannot write to it.

[merlwiz79]

Code: Select all

gksu gedit /etc/pulse/daemon.conf

[OnlyMe]

I was able to edit the file doing as you suggested.

The final combination that worked for me was:

From the Mint Menu> Applications> Preferences> Sound> Devices:
I chose Pulse for all the sound playback items.
For sound capture, I chose ALSA.
For Device, I chose HDA Intel (Alsa Mixer).
In the scroll box, I chose Master.

From Package Manager, I chose the regular Skype package as suggested in the link. The Skype-common package is needed no matter which one of the three Skype files is selected and is selected automatically.

In Skype> Options> Sound Devices, for Sound In I chose HDA Intel (hw:Intel,0). For Sound Out and Ringing I left them at default. I removed the check from the box so that Skype will not automatically adjust my mixer levels. I describe this because the pictures in the link are in German.
Edit: I later had problems again. I went in and rechecked the box so that Skype can automatically adust my speaker levels.

I passed the Skype test. My voice playback was clear and I did not hear any background noise. I hope to test it with a real conversation tomorrow.

This is great. Thank you for your help, Merlwiz79.

[OnlyMe]

I hate to report this but Skype audio on my Mint 5 Elyssa is impossible. I have set and reset the settings and they will not stay set and that has me upset! I have resigned myself to using only chat with Skype on Mint on my lappy. If I want to use the audio with Skype on my lappy I will reboot in XP. Because of this, I have removed 'Solved' from the subject of the thread.

[Guest]

I'm having trouble with Skype audio as well. I have a Gateway M-1625 laptop with a fresh copy of Mint Elyssa. When I test call in Skype, I can hear the audio, but I can't record. I tried going into alsamixer and turning on the mic, but the 2 spots for mic have no level which I can increase (there's no little box there). I increased everything I could, and tried sound record from the menu. Now I get horrible feedback when I switch the source to Capture. I probably screwed it up when I increased all of the levels in alsamixer, anyway I'm not sure I know what I'm doing, or what to do. Can someone give me directions on how to turn on the mic?

Thanks

[dnmint]

Similar situation here

[jazz]

I found a workaround that works for me.

Execute all of this command on your terminal:
it's a good idea to backup /etc/X11/Xsession.d/70pulseaudio before removing it.
* killall pulseaudio
* sudo apt-get remove pulseaudio
* sudo apt-get install esound
* sudo rm /etc/X11/Xsession.d/70pulseaudio

Reboot the system.

[oakhilltop]

I found a workaround that works for me.

Execute all of this command on your terminal:
it's a good idea to backup /etc/X11/Xsession.d/70pulseaudio before removing it.
* killall pulseaudio
* sudo apt-get remove pulseaudio
* sudo apt-get install esound
* sudo rm /etc/X11/Xsession.d/70pulseaudio

Reboot the system.

I tried that and it still doesn't work for me. Frustrating!

When I make a test call, I hear the ringing and the message. Then I record, but nothing gets played back. I'm using a headset that is plugged into the audio connectors on the front of my PC's case.

Does anyone have skype working?

[manray15]

jazz - thank you!

The workaround worked really great. After I rebooted the system, Skype now recognized the default audio devices. I wonder why pulse was installed in the first place.. ?

[Vargas]

I tried that and it still doesn't work for me. Frustrating!
When I make a test call, I hear the ringing and the message. Then I record, but nothing gets played back. I'm using a headset that is plugged into the audio connectors on the front of my PC's case.
Does anyone have skype working?

That happened to my girlfriend's pc. I've done the remove pulseaudio, install esound thing, and then played with the Volume Control preferences that's in the gnome panel and sound in, sound out, etc. in skype options. That fixed it.

[dutch1]

dag,
skype is working for me as follows:

sound in : HDA Intel
sound out: Pulse
sound ringing: Pulse

hans