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Old 10-12-2014, 11:55 AM   #1
septuagenarian
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Have downloaded latest Skype, but no sound now


Hi

When I bought a new computer 4 years ago, a friend suggested that I might like Linux, and installed Ubuntu 10.04 for me (my old computer had Windows XP), it took some getting used to, but I soon found it far superior to Windows. I had never even touched a computer until I retired, so my knowledge and skill level is minimal.

This friend later installed Skype for me so I can keep in touch with my youngest son who moves around a lot (he's living in Italy at the moment, so Skype is really useful), but there was a problem with the sound, which I believe was Pulse Audio, so he removed that and installed Alsa sound instead which is brilliant and has worked perfectly ever since.

Recently I received an email from Skype advising that my version was being “retired”, and providing a link to download the latest version, 4.3.0.37, which downloaded and installed successfully, apart from there being no sound now.

Checking Skype website I found that they no longer support Alsa sound, and I now need Pulse Audio, but I am quite happy with Alsa sound and do not really want to change.

My question Is: Can I keep Alsa sound, but also install Pulse Audio just to get sound on Skype, or would they clash and mean I must choose one or the other? (I have never used a Terminal, so if this is necessary I would very much appreciate step by step instructions for an amateur to follow).

So far I have made the following checks:
1.Skype>options>sound devices – all show “virtual device”
2.system>preferences>sound – trying to find what sound system is installed - a box appears saying “waiting for sound system to respond”, but nothing happens.
3.applications>Ubuntu software centre>installed software – found “Gnome Alsa mixer” installed.
4.applications>Ubuntu software centre>get software – looked for anything saying Pulse Audio and found a) Pulse Audio device chooser
b) “ “ manager
c) “ “ volume control
d) “ “ volume meter (playback)

That's as far as I've got, unfortunately the friend is no longer available to help, and I'm afraid to go any further in case I muck up a perfectly good sound system just for getting Skype to work. I'm hoping there will be a nice simple answer to this problem, otherwise I might be in trouble.

Many thanks.
 
Old 10-12-2014, 12:06 PM   #2
rokytnji
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I know skype is used by the majority. But you find yourself between a rock and hard place because microsoft bought skype and has changed the config rules. It is what it is so to speak.

So. Just a different road to the same destination. Problem is. Your contacts need accounts that that interface uses

Like Windows Messenger
Yahoo Messenger
AIM
Facebook (via XMMP)
Google Talk

My relatives learned to adapt to my needs instead of me having to adapt to theirs. Otherwise. They don't hear from me.
https://jitsi.org/

I left skype ages ago when microsoft bought them. You. If you wish to keep skype. Need to learn pulse audio.
 
Old 10-13-2014, 02:07 PM   #3
ondoho
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alsa is the bottom layer, pulseaudio is built on top of it.
you cannot have pulseaudio without alsa.
let us know how it goes.
 
Old 10-14-2014, 10:15 AM   #4
septuagenarian
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ondoho View Post
alsa is the bottom layer, pulseaudio is built on top of it.
you cannot have pulseaudio without alsa.
let us know how it goes.
Thanks for your quick reply.

Does this mean that I should now just go ahead and install the 4 Pulse Audio items a), b), c) and d) listed in my post that I found in Ubuntu Software Centre? Is that all that I need to do?
 
Old 10-30-2014, 11:50 AM   #5
septuagenarian
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Success - Skype sound now working again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by septuagenarian View Post
Thanks for your quick reply.

Does this mean that I should now just go ahead and install the 4 Pulse Audio items a), b), c) and d) listed in my post that I found in Ubuntu Software Centre? Is that all that I need to do?
Success - I clicked to install the first Pulse Audio item in the Ubuntu software centre > get software, and all four items installed together, after doing a restart I now have sound working on Skype once again, many thanks for your help.
 
  


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