[SOLVED] Mistake when fixing sound problem with Skype

teboil12 · 12-03-2013, 12:40 PM

Hello

Once again I had a problem getting any sound from Skype after upgrading. This time from Linux Mint 15 to 16. Once again, the only way of getting it working was to get rid of Pulseaudio altogether. I happened to (by mistake, I think) close the terminal too soon after the killall business, and now I get a report: ERROR###ERROR###ERROR###ERROR###ERROR###ERROR###ERROR
E:Invalid record in the preferences file /etc/apt/preferences, no Package header

I find a file /etc/apt/preferences containing only the word "exit", nothing more. Can I safely get rid of that file without causing any damage?

aus9 · 12-03-2013, 05:31 PM

I believe its very difficult to get rid of PA on the *buntu distros and so the same for any variant like Mint

delete that file in preferences then run this command

Code:

sudo su
apt-get update
apt-get install pulseaudio paman pavucontrol pavumeter paprefs

next config PA as per
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA1...kype-for-linux

2) If you don't like PA then maybe you can try out distros that don't have it as a dependency?
eg Debian

3) when trying to delete a package do it the terminal as it reports what packages will ALSO be removed

Code:

sudo apt-get remove --purge <packagename>

If you see your windowmanager, burner is prompted to be removed then you know you can't delete it
---well not until you install a replacement and that only works for some things and not all things

YMMV

teboil12 · 12-04-2013, 12:47 PM

Seems like a problem...

I have tried "every trick in the book". I have made a fresh install of Linux Mint Cinnamon 16 Petra and installed what you suggested, to no use. I have succeeded to even lose the shoosh-sound when Skype starts as well as the greeting sound when Mint starts. So right now I feel like running out of ideas, though I've been googling around all day. Maybe the best thing is to forget about Skype since I cannot solve it?

I know that I got Skype sound OK when I uninstalled PA and installed Alsa as I did earlier in Ubuntu. I also suspect that the "Error" with /etc/apt/preferences appeared when I typed "exit" in the terminal when there was still some process running and cut it off too soon.

If anyone can give me a hint, I would be most thankful!

aus9 · 12-04-2013, 05:53 PM

well how about posting the contents of files in /etc/apt/preferences ?

I use debian and have ~/preferences.d/ but not preferences so can't help there.

2) You do know you can just stop the pulseaudio daemon instead of trying to uninstall?

but I debian and so use /etc/init.d daemons while I believe you use systemd so you might need to look at something like

http://blog.mpshouse.com/?p=107

teboil12 · 12-05-2013, 06:55 AM

Thanks for your help!

I created a client.conf file as mpshouse told me to and added "autospawn=no", then saved it. Furthermore, they advised that Pulse can be killed with: killall pulseaudio.
However, I did not do that, only restarted, and lo and behold, Skypesound is back! Not cracking or mute, sound is chrystal clear. One small wish, though: hope someone can give some advice about how to get back the welcome sound and others, cold be I lost them for good. Oh well, you can't win them all...

aus9 · 12-05-2013, 05:35 PM

try

http://www.faqforge.com/linux/change...linux-mint-13/

teboil12 · 12-07-2013, 01:47 PM

Thanks

Did not work, though. Tried a zillion other ways, no result. Well, the welcome sound is not the most important thing, I can live without it as long as all other sound issues and Skype sound are OK.
So aus9, have a nice Christmas!