Skype problems

[Randy Cornhole]

I recently set up skype in Mrs Cornholes room and for a while all was ok. Now for some reason she can't see me even though I can see her? It does work sometimes but not often.

I have reinstalled the software on my computer and even changed cameras but to no avail!

She has had a Thai man round from a local computer shop trying to sort things out but keeps on saying the fault is my end. I'm sure its not .

If anyone has a spare half hour or so one afternoon next week would they mind popping round just to take a quick look? Maybe she has clicked the wrong button or something. She is in central Hua Hin so not far from the railway line.

Or alternatively offer some suggestions I could try from the UK. That would also be a help.

It would have to be someone with the skill to locate and reload the software already on the laptop. I would of course be on hand to talk them through it via the telephone.

She has WiFi in her building and the strengths I am seeing suggest that isn't the problem.

I just want to speak to someone who understands what I'm talking about. lol.

Many thanks in advance.

[lindosfan1]

Randy
When my wife was in Thailand at the end of last year we had a similar problem. What we did was switch between messenger and skype, as the fault was with the system not withour computors.
Skype is our preferred option but sometimes it was useless, other times messenger was bad. We had local experts from Bangkok look at my wifes computor it was ok. As it is a freeservice I think it is down to overload. Also the time of the call seems to make a difference.
Hope this helps

Edited to insert last sentence

[redzonerocker]

As it is a freeservice I think it is down to overload.

agree & also other minor glitches.

What we did was switch between messenger and skype

that's the easiest solution

Now for some reason she can't see me even though I can see her?

maybe by choice?

[Siani]

I recently set up skype in Mrs Cornholes room and for a while all was ok. Now for some reason she can't see me even though I can see her? It does work sometimes but not often.

I have reinstalled the software on my computer and even changed cameras but to no avail!

She has had a Thai man round from a local computer shop trying to sort things out but keeps on saying the fault is my end. I'm sure its not .

If anyone has a spare half hour or so one afternoon next week would they mind popping round just to take a quick look? Maybe she has clicked the wrong button or something. She is in central Hua Hin so not far from the railway line.

Or alternatively offer some suggestions I could try from the UK. That would also be a help.

It would have to be someone with the skill to locate and reload the software already on the laptop. I would of course be on hand to talk them through it via the telephone.

She has WiFi in her building and the strengths I am seeing suggest that isn't the problem.

I just want to speak to someone who understands what I'm talking about. lol.

Many thanks in advance.

My son says you can do a Skype test call to yourself. If you can see yourself the problem is not your end. This can done with both video and audio. Worth a try. Also try it with another friend, see what happens. If the problem is still the same, the problem is your side

[Randy Cornhole]

I think I'll give messenger a go thanks.

[BaaBaa.]

I think I'll give messenger a go thanks.

Gmail has webcam too, messed about with it, worked well.

[MwD]

I'll be back in Hua Hin at the weekend and can have a look, if the problem still persists..

I've never had a problem with skype, and use it regularly....

PM me if you still need some help.

As Siani says, try the test call to skype.

[MrPlum]

It does work sometimes

Have either of you changed anything on your machines at the time the problems started?

Off the top of my head, it's a RAM problem. I would suggest both of you unload any other running applications. Or do it at your end first, since she is transmitting okay.

[MwD]

Actually we have experienced this problem sometimes, where it appears one end is offline, especially when using a dedicated skype phone.

The remedy is to either send an IM or make a call, and the offline end switches to online.

[Roel]

From my location (Koh Lanta) I can report that sometimes messenger and sometimes Skype give problems. Randomly unpredictable I would say. Also Skype tend to often give a warning in advance where a window pops up that says something like "the quality of your connection is not good enough for video, do you want to use the video anyway?" I always answer yes, and sometimes it works fine, sometimes it does not.

Not much of a help I guess, but maybe comforting to know you are not the only one suffering!

[lindosfan1]

Just been listening to an expert on the radio, you can lose up to 30% of your capacity if using wifi. he stated this is particularly noticeble if downloading films and using skype are two examples he gave. Thickness of wall and whether your neighbour has wifi as well contribute to the problem
This would apply to why we had problems with skype as we had wifi at each end.
He also stated that for browsing and small emails you will notice no difference.
So not know if this will apply to your problem Randy.
Has anybody else experienced this

[chelsea]

Just been listening to an expert on the radio, you can lose up to 30% of your capacity if using wifi. he stated this is particularly noticeble if downloading films and using skype are two examples he gave. Thickness of wall and whether your neighbour has wifi as well contribute to the problem
This would apply to why we had problems with skype as we had wifi at each end.
He also stated that for browsing and small emails you will notice no difference.
So not know if this will apply to your problem Randy.
Has anybody else experienced this

What your are saying about Wifi and positioning of the PC is correct.
I have an old style of Vodafone mobile internet USB unit and only use it if my ISP is not working or if I move house and have to wait a couple of weeks to get landline system connected again.

I upgraded last week to their upgraded Wifi plug in system and to start with, could not get it to work. I relented and read the instruction manual and it clearly states that you will have problems if the connection is facing a solid wall, and is better if it is by a window or outside.
Tried that and works great after that. I think it is much the same as normal wifi and if there is anything solid interupting the signals, you will have problems.

[chelsea]

I recently set up skype in Mrs Cornholes room and for a while all was ok. Now for some reason she can't see me even though I can see her? It does work sometimes but not often.

I have reinstalled the software on my computer and even changed cameras but to no avail!

She has had a Thai man round from a local computer shop trying to sort things out but keeps on saying the fault is my end. I'm sure its not .

If anyone has a spare half hour or so one afternoon next week would they mind popping round just to take a quick look? Maybe she has clicked the wrong button or something. She is in central Hua Hin so not far from the railway line.

Or alternatively offer some suggestions I could try from the UK. That would also be a help.

It would have to be someone with the skill to locate and reload the software already on the laptop. I would of course be on hand to talk them through it via the telephone.

She has WiFi in her building and the strengths I am seeing suggest that isn't the problem.

I just want to speak to someone who understands what I'm talking about. lol.

Many thanks in advance.

Randy
Try using MSN Messenger instead of Skype or Yahoo Messenger, have used all of them and the MSN I always find to be more stable with the video connection.

[nickinkip]

Hi, I prefer to use this provider as you can make mobile to mobile without the pc, its not free but still very cheap i think, i have used them for 2 years now. Also you can sms the same.

www.rebtel.com