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Skype issues a fix for Windows, Mac fix to arrive today
VOICE OVER IP (VoIP) service Skype has issued a fix for Windows machines that suffered a major outage yesterday, while a Mac update is expected some time today.
Skype apologised for the downtime and issued a manual fix for the problem fairly quickly that involved deleting the shared.xml file from Skype's directory. This solved the problem for many, but others were reluctant to tamper with their files. It looks bad on Skype's part to expect its users to do so, especially when some of them might not be as technically savvy as others. The fix did work, however, as tested by several of The INQUIRER's staff.
Skype said it understood that its workaround was "fairly technical", so it issued an update for Windows-based machines to fix the login issue, available here. A Mac update should arrive today, but Skype users running Linux must continue to use the manual fix for now.
Skype for mobiles, tablets and smart TVs was not affected by the bug.
Skype claims the problem affected only "a small percentage of users", but reports from users on Twitter and other channels suggested that it was fairly widespread. Many of The INQUIRER's staff also suffered the problem, though that was not universal.
The INQUIRER asked Microsoft about the problem, since so many people blamed its recent acquisition of Skype for the outage. A Microsoft spokesperson said, "While the regulatory review process is under way, Microsoft and Skype continue to operate independently so you'll need to check in with Skype on the situation."
While it's true that Microsoft remains an independent party for now, that doesn't stop it from receiving a lot of negative attention from users who were unhappy to find out it is buying Skype in the first place.
We also contacted Skype, but it refused to explain the nature of the problem and simply directed us to its blog post containing the manual workaround instructions. µ
Tags: Software
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skype has crashed a lot on my machine, usually crash, restart, crash again many times in a row. Not sure what caused that, hopefully this will fix the issue...
...for Microsoft to screw things up for Skype users.
Also:apparently Microsoft-Skype is beginning the process of severing ties with open source:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/microsoft-skype-breaks-open-source-partnership/1111
Didn't take long. Oh well, there is always Google Talk (which works on all platforms, including Windows). I imagine that Google Talk will start seeing a lot more activity now.
People, this is not the Skype support forum. Go whine to Skype, or even Microsoft, forum if this makes you feel better.
Google Chrome is still offered when downloading the Skype update :D
...I tried all the fixes and the skype site recommended. Didn't work. The only thing that worked was doing a system restore to prior to 26th May-- when a windows update obviously messed things up!
...I tried all the fixes and the skype site recommended. Didn't work. The only thing that worked was doing a system restore to prior to 26th May-- when a windows update obviously messed things up!
I followed the instuctions, deleted the file, and tried again; I actually saw the delete file appear again in the folder as I logged onto Skype (which then stopped working).
Is there some virus behind this? How can a deleted file reappear in the folder?
I have downloaded the 'fixed' version - 5.3.0.111 This is the same version as the one I downloaded two weeks ago. So either Skype has done nothing and is claiming a fix (bad show) or they have no version control (this would be shocking for a serious software business). I still have no service.
Hi I am in the UK, I have tried all of the fixes, including the on in your article, I have even downloded a fresh version of Skype, nothing seems to work, Note! the same problem affects all of my UK contacts.
Are Skype aware of this??? they must be...
What are they doing about it???
I have followed the instructions issued by Skype yesterday and today clicked the link on your post to no avail....
I still have no service