Skype Freezing PC on Vista x64, SP1

Sorry Dmitri but I found your reply quite dismissive to say the least. My sister has recently moved to Canada and is having exactly the same problems with Skype..
Im an IT professional and therefore have already tried following your suggestion use version 4.0, have 32 bit OS, checked firewall, antivirus and latest drivers available for entire system and Skype continues to freeze the whole pc every time a call is made or received.
A quick google search is evidence that there are countless others experiencing exactly the same problem, and I find the "fix it yourself" approach to be completely unhelpful.
A lot of time and effort has gone into marketing Skype to all - how brilliant it is, affordable, feature rich and easy to use. However, your post is the first place I have seen mention of system requirements. If there are OS's and configurations that are not supported it should really be made clear before you convince people to download, install, add credit etc, only to have to spend countless hours trying to figure out why it doesnt work.

I have this exact problem i would like to use Skype for video calling but i may have to switch if this problem is not resolved. So you know many stores are pushing vista 64bit operating systems so this could become a larger problem.
I have very similar system specs. I have a lenovo y430 idea pad running 64bit vista, Sp1 and also with Avira antivirus.

I also have this exact problem, I am running an Advent laptop with vista home sp1 & a 32 bit os. I downloaded the latest version (4.0) of Skype last night and managed an 8 minute call, I was just begining to think I had resolved the issue when it crashed. The problem is exactly as described with the pc freezing 1 to 10 minutes into a call, the only cure is to switch off & re-boot.

This has not fixed my problem. I did figure out exactly what it is though, my computer freezes oly after a video call has been about to start

When trying to make a video call the whole computer freezes and I have to manually restart. Skype never reaches the video call. But, it does reach the person I am calling for just a moment before it dies. Peter, thanks for your concern and help in getting this problem fixed.

I have the same problem 1 to 5 minutes after starting a Skype video call the laptop freezes. My daughter has the same problem. We both have Advent 5311 laptops running Vista Home Premium. 1024mbDDR RAM, Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 processor. Upgrading from Skype 3 to latest version 4 makes no difference. Trying an external webcam instead of the inbuilt cam also made no difference. Interesting to see the resolution as many forums have reported the same problem with no firm solution, merely differing guesses. Seems to me that it has taken Skype a long time to admit there is even a problem.

Skype 3.8 works just fine for me but Skype 4.0 will freeze my machine when I try to log in. Though something is odd about Skype 4.0.

I have two machine that I use and both are nearly identical. They both use the latest drivers and have the latest Windows updates. Yet Machine A will freeze when I log into Skype but Machine B won't.

One thing I noticed is that when I try to log into Skype 4.0 that my icons will disappear and then quickly reappear. Thinking that this maybe video related, I tried logging onto Machine A through Remote Desktop Connection from Machine B. Skype will not freeze Machine A if I do this.

Machine A:

Athlon 64 3200
3 gig ram
Biostar TA690G with AMD 690G and SB600 Chipset
ATI Radeon X1950 GT
Windows Vista Ultimate X64
HDA Xplosion 7.1 sound

Machine B:

Athlon 64 X2 3600
6 gig ram
Asus M2A-VM with AMD 690G and SB600 Chipset
ATI Radeon HD 4670
Windows Vista Ultimate X64
Using built in Realtek sound.

Using an old PC I have downloaded update to version 4.0.0.224. Before I download it to the problematic laptop running Viats, is this latest version the one with the fix for the video problems?

It would be useful to know what problems have been solved in updates rather than just blindlt downloading them.

i just downloaded Version 4.0.32.224 of skype business. the instant that i tried to split the windows of skype my computer froze completely.

I'm having same or at least very similar problem. I have PC with
XP pro SP2,
AMD Duron on 1,2 GHz,
1 GB of RAM,
A7V266-C mother board.

My computer stops responding as soon as I start Skype voice call and the only thing that helps is power button. I tried older an latest version and problem remains. I also tried to turn off my firewall (NOD32 msart security) but skype still freezes on calls.
XP firewall is turned off. Drivers are latest for devices.

Hello,i ́am from Slovakia my PC :AMD64 6000+(AM socket) .4GB Ram.with OS Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit +SP1 and I try all version of Skype,newest 4 too but i have stiil problem if i start Skype-----Freezing PC and the only cure is to switch off & re-boot. Bug is with 64bit OS ?Before i had Windows XP 32bit and Skype was perfect :-( I ́am so sad ...
PS:sry for my poor English

This is still a problem. I'm also running Vista Home Premium 64bit, on a gateway laptop, with cable internet connection. Is there any solution???

Hi again :
my PC :AMD64 6000+(AM socket) .4GB Ram.with
OS Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit +SP1
and I try all version of Skype,newest 4 and i finaly use a skype without freezing !!
I was so sick but when i still try skype still freezing :-(

This is my problem solution:

1.reinstal windows (i know this is unpopular but i try everything)

2.you MUST !!! have aktualy 64bit drivers of sound card (i have Realtek High Definition Audio and downloaded him from www manufacturer Realtek
and the best way is -make sure -you have realy 64bit driver for every components in your PC and make sure are new ?? ! I know I stupid but i have before old 64bit driver which i find in instal CD(from motherboard) from 1,5 years old !
Best way go to net and instal new.

3.I use NOD32 and manualy configure firewall ,i dont know why but new NOD32 ver.4 is realy stupid ,and its block some program like Lineage2(my favorite online game) so just in case .-)

I realy dont know which step help SKYPE but for now i dont have nothing problem with skype.

Hope help my solution ,please write here if i help you .

PS :sry for my poor english :-)

I do not know why anybody in this world would use Vista, It is only XP with A LOT OF make up but not real improvement. If you have to use windows, use XP as long as you can then go to Linux :).
Anyway as I said before I'm running skype on win XP and this is what solved problem in my case, maybe it would help you without reinstaling system. I discovered that there is some conflict between skype and my soun card. Every time I start call skype turns off microphone and if I try to turn it back on it freezes. So, I also found that this is happening only when sound volume on microphone goes over limit in skype sound settings.
Solution: Check in your sound card settings is there anywhere microphone buster (or anything similar) enabled and disable it. Decrease a little microphone volume in sound card settings.
Then in skype audio settings untic atutomatic setting for microphone and set its volume manualy to maximum. After that all works fine.

I've got same problem with immidiate freezing as soon as I start Skype. I've tested version 3.8 to the new ones and even 4.beta, it's the same problem with all versions. What confuses me is that the first 3 days after setting up my system Skype ran without any problems at all. Then suddenly I had this freezing, when Skype is minimizing itself to tray after login. The symbol in the tray is already green and it freezes.

My Config:

Athlon X64 5600+
Vista 64 SP2
3 Gigs Ram
...

Greetz Acid

Nebojsa's workaround worked for me! Terratec PCI 7.1 is my soundcard, which is configurated to work via SPDIF. After changing all audio out and in ports to 0 db I was able to start skype WITHOUT freezing. After that I changed Audio options in skype to manual for mic and Audio out, after restart of Skype I rolled back my soundcard configuration and now everything works fine!

Big THX!

I have the same problem, HP Compaq presario V6000. Antivirus ESET Nod32. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello,sry i ́am on work, so i was busy.
to Nebojsa : you wrote :I do not know why anybody in this world would use Vista, It is only XP with A LOT OF make up but not real improvement. If you have to use windows, use XP as long as you can then go to Linux :).
Nebojsa pls look on title :Skype Freezing PC on Vista x64, SP1
not Xp not Linux ok ?
I have processor 64bit AMD 6000+ and XP 64 bit is realy shit for this (no drivers and more problems with it ....)

Some News : instal SP2 for Vista 64 already exists !!! and maybe help somebody !

I ́am not a PC expert i work as suture nurse (realy :-) ) don ́t worry i ́am man,not a woman :-).

i am thinking problem with Skype and Vista is not in Vista but in driver especialy in sound driver .
Simply you must detect your sound card after sound card manufacturer ------go to home page manufacturer-----support -----download -----latest driver download according date .Warning !! driver must be for Vista 64
may perhaps help somebody .
Good Luck

to KISSASS: In case you did not notice, that line was a sarcasm about vista and sugesstion to people to use other system in order to solve problems. I did not discuss about linux or XP in further text. If you did not understood that, than you should find some better dictionary.

Nebojsa Cool down and PEACE :-)

The company may claim to be working on the problem but it has been around for many months. Many people have sent log reports.

When will they at least give an update on progress towards solving this problem, which seems to be quite common judging by the number of people reportin it on various sites

I can't stay on skype it freezes up and I have to shut down pc

Hmm,1000 people ,1000 PC,1000 posible problems with Skype.
TRY instal SP2 for Vista ,next problem is stupid firewall ----try setup manualy or off your firewall.After write again here.

PS:sry for my poor english.:-)

This is what I got from SKYPE support. It worked, but, if you are having the sound troubles since installing SP2 for Vista, you should uninstall the SP2 for Vista and reinstall your sound drivers before completing the following:

Thank you for contacting Skype Support.

We apologize for the delayed response. Due to a recent increase in inquiries it has taken longer to respond to you. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

If your system is updated and problem still persists then please reset Skype as follows. If reset also doesn't solve this problem then we can request logs for further investigation.

1. Quit Skype. Right click on Skype icon on system tray and choose "Quit".
2. Press "Windows key" + R on your keyboard in order to open Run window and type in shortcut command:
%appdata%\skype
3. Once Skype folder is opened please delete "shared.xml" file.
4. Then open your account folder and delete also "config.xml" file.

After deleting shared.xml and config.xml files please uninstall Skype as
follows:
1. From Start menu, click on "Control Panel" and then choose "Add/Remove Programs".
If you are using Vista then: Start > Control Panel > Programs > "Programs and Features".
2. Select Skype from the list and click on "Remove".
3. Go to C:\Program Files and delete the "Skype" folder from there.
4. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\All users\ApplicationData and delete the "Skype" folder from there.
For Vista: C:\ProgramData\
5. Open Start menu and select "Run". ("Windows key" + R) 6. Enter "regedit" in the text box and click "OK".
7. Open the "Edit" drop-down menu and click "Find".
8. Search for the keyword "Skype". Delete all search results.

After complete uninstallation please download and install the latest version of Skype from:
http://www.skype.com/go/download
* Choose "Save" not "Run/Open"

If problem is not solved then please contact us again.

BE CAREFUL INTHE REGEDIT. Do not delete anything that does not have "Skype" in it.

I see that it has been months since an employee from Skype has commented on this thread. What are they doing to solve it? Searches have shown that this problem was reported as far back as 2005 and there has been no fix or even taken seriously by skype - a search on their help page does not come up with this problem.
I think the only solution will be to use an alternative to skype.

I'm having this problem on a Win7Ultimate x64 box. I have an extra sound card in mine and I took the above steps to lower the volume on the mic, even changed to a USB mic and I still have the same problem.

For me, as soon as I log in, the computer freezes. I've never seen the normal Skype interface, only the login box.

I used to have this problem, But, installing windows 7 fixed the problem completely.

here is a link to a very inexpensive place to purchase windows 7 if you have a college email:
http://www.win741.com/
make sure you get the 64 bit copy not the 32 bit.