A workable way to install skype 4.3 in puppy

How to do things, solutions, recipes, tutorials
Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
OscarTalks
Posts: 2196
Joined: Mon 06 Feb 2012, 00:58
Location: London, England

#16 Post by OscarTalks »

I have it working in Dpup Wheezy using my own repack of the new Skype with the Qt libs included in the same way as my previous packages.

Then I have added Watchdog's pulseaudio package (the w53.orig.pet) but I found that there is quite a lot of unneeded stuff in it so I have tried to cut most of it out.

One thing to note is that the /root/spot directory needs to be owned by spot and not by root I believe so you may need to do

Code: Select all

chown -R spot:spot spot
Will be testing some more later and will report any findings.
Attachments
skype-pulse.jpg
Seems to be working
(53.55 KiB) Downloaded 2330 times
Oscar in England
Image

watchdog
Posts: 2021
Joined: Fri 28 Sep 2012, 18:04
Location: Italy

#17 Post by watchdog »

I do not use pavucontrol: skype seems to correctly adjust the levels.

User avatar
peebee
Posts: 4370
Joined: Sun 21 Sep 2008, 12:31
Location: Worcestershire, UK
Contact:

#18 Post by peebee »

watchdog wrote:I confirm: skype 4.3 working in slacko 5.7 by the packages provided for wary in the post:

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 631#789631
Hi watchdog

I'm also having problems....

I installed the 2 pets as above onto a pristine frugal install of Slacko5.7 k3.4.82 on my desktop with Nvidia graphics.

1st problem=
# su spot
# echo $USER
spot
# pulseaudio --start
E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Daemon startup failed.
2nd problem (trying the recommended way to run pulsaudio as root)=
# pulseaudio --system
W: [pulseaudio] main.c: Running in system mode, but --disallow-exit not set!
W: [pulseaudio] main.c: Running in system mode, but --disallow-module-loading not set!
N: [pulseaudio] main.c: Running in system mode, forcibly disabling SHM mode!
N: [pulseaudio] main.c: Running in system mode, forcibly disabling exit idle time!
E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Failed to find group 'pulse'.
Hoping that OscarTalks can work his magic....

Thanks for starting the ball rolling.
Cheers
PeeBee
ImageLxPup = Puppy + LXDE
Main version used daily: LxPupSc; Assembler of UPups, ScPup & ScPup64, LxPup, LxPupSc & LxPupSc64

watchdog
Posts: 2021
Joined: Fri 28 Sep 2012, 18:04
Location: Italy

#19 Post by watchdog »

peebee wrote: 1st problem=
# su spot
# echo $USER
spot
# pulseaudio --start
E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Daemon startup failed.
See my EDIT at:

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 517#792517

Ledster
Posts: 88
Joined: Sat 26 Aug 2006, 15:33
Location: Devon, England

#20 Post by Ledster »

Watchdog wrote
"Maybe the right procedure is hardware dependent. With my laptop it works. I wish some more feedbacks. I suggest to remove all pulse-related config data and try again. Look at /root, /root/.config, /tmp; delete /root/spot/.pulse and /root/spot/.pulse-cookie. In /tmp you'll find several dirs pulse-related: delete them. Is your sound card a not-standard one? Check if in your /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf there are the following lines:

Code:
defaults.ctl.card 0
defaults.pcm.card 0
defaults.pcm.device 0
defaults.pcm.subdevice -1


EDIT: my netbook has the same behaviour you have found. I have commented only the line:

Code:
load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:1,0

in /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa and pulseaudio works on my netbook, too."
Many thanks for the suggestions. Glad your net book is now working ok.

So:-

Deleted as much as I could recognise from your list & checked alsa.conf - those 4 lines are present.
Made no difference.

Next commented out
"load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:1,0"
I now have sound, but the mic still does not work.

For your info I have a Logitek usb webcam with built in mic, which I always have to select in previous versions of Skype. This version gives me no choice. I can have only "Virtual device".

Seems like I'm stuck with Skype in Windows (boo hiss) to chat with my sister in Spain (until someone a lot smarter than me sorts out Microsoft's mess!)

User avatar
CatDude
Posts: 1563
Joined: Wed 03 Jan 2007, 17:49
Location: UK

#21 Post by CatDude »

Hello Watchdog

Thankyou for your reply to my call for help,
though i had already followed the exact same instructions and was having the same issue
as Ledster and peebee are experiencing.
ie:

Code: Select all

# su spot
# pulseaudio --start
E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Daemon startup failed.
As Ledster pointed out: "Skype starts and runs ok, but of course, no sound."
which is definitely no good. :roll:

I too discovered (like yourself) that commenting the line:

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:1,0
gave me sound, but the microphone did not work. :twisted:

After pissing about 'googling' and just plain old freelancing,
i found a winning recipe :D , which was to change that same line in /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa
to look like this:

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0
Once i had done that,
i managed to have a chat with my brother (with video both ways) for about an hour
without any problem whatsoever, in fact my brother commented on how clear the audio was.

Anyway, i need to re-run another test or two on fresh installs
just to make sure it wasn't simply a fluke.

Till later
CatDude
.
[img]http://www.smokey01.com/CatDude/.temp/sigs/acer-futile.gif[/img]

Ledster
Posts: 88
Joined: Sat 26 Aug 2006, 15:33
Location: Devon, England

#22 Post by Ledster »

Just tried CatDude's mod.
Worked for sound, but still no mic.

Sorry! :(

User avatar
CatDude
Posts: 1563
Joined: Wed 03 Jan 2007, 17:49
Location: UK

#23 Post by CatDude »

Hi Ledster
Ledster wrote:Just tried CatDude's mod.
Worked for sound, but still no mic.

Sorry! :(
I think i may have deleted /root/spot/.pulse and /root/spot/.pulse-cookie
after editing that line and before attempting to start it again.

I still need to do those tests to confirm things.

CatDude
.
[img]http://www.smokey01.com/CatDude/.temp/sigs/acer-futile.gif[/img]

User avatar
OscarTalks
Posts: 2196
Joined: Mon 06 Feb 2012, 00:58
Location: London, England

#24 Post by OscarTalks »

I think for most people who are just using the default soundcard for both playback and capture (or input and output) you will need the device number to be hw:0,0 (rather than hw:1,0) AND you may find that you need to add it to both of the UNcommented lines in /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa (or /etc/pulse/default.pa).

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-sink device=hw:0,0
load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0,0
In my case I have 3 soundcards, one integrated mobo, one pci and one usb. I am using the usb soundcard for all telephony now so my lines are both "device=hw:2,0" which is the third soundcard in the system.

And yes, if you get these set up then you don't really need pavucontrol, you can just alter your volume settings in retrovol in the normal way.

Regarding running pulseaudio as root, obviously this would be helpful.
I note the fatal error which says it failed to find a group named "pulse"
I think there is a configure option during compilation which may fix this.
Add --with-system-group=root
Oscar in England
Image

User avatar
saintless
Posts: 3862
Joined: Sat 11 Jun 2011, 13:43
Location: Bulgaria

#25 Post by saintless »

Ledster wrote:Just tried CatDude's mod.
Worked for sound, but still no mic.
I don't know if this information helps since it is not from Puppy system, but just did a quick test to check something with Skype 4.3.0.37 in DebianDog and internal microphone works but external usb camera + microphone does not. The camera microphone doesn't work. I guess some settings has to be made in pulseaudio to use external microphone. I see no choice for different microphone in sound settings - only pulseaudio.
Otherwise no problem to run pulseaudio --start as root. There is a message I should not run it as root but it works anyway.

watchdog
Posts: 2021
Joined: Fri 28 Sep 2012, 18:04
Location: Italy

#26 Post by watchdog »

OscarTalks wrote:I think for most people who are just using the default soundcard for both playback and capture (or input and output) you will need the device number to be hw:0,0 (rather than hw:1,0) AND you may find that you need to add it to both of the UNcommented lines in /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa (or /etc/pulse/default.pa).

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-sink device=hw:0,0
load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0,0
It works with my netbook and internal mic.

User avatar
OscarTalks
Posts: 2196
Joined: Mon 06 Feb 2012, 00:58
Location: London, England

#27 Post by OscarTalks »

saintless wrote:The camera microphone doesn't work. I guess some settings has to be made in pulseaudio to use external microphone. I see no choice for different microphone in sound settings - only pulseaudio.
I believe it will work if you figure out the correct device=hw: number and edit the file, but really we need a GUI method for selecting devices. I think that if you use Skype with pulseaudio (which I did briefly with Xubuntu a few years ago) you just select "pulseaudio" in Skype and then you have to use pavucontrol to select devices, but it is not as good as being able to select everything from within Skype itself. I really hope enough people will complain and they will release the next version with alsa support restored.

By the way, confirmed that pulseaudio --start running as root does give a warning but does work.
Oscar in England
Image

User avatar
CatDude
Posts: 1563
Joined: Wed 03 Jan 2007, 17:49
Location: UK

#28 Post by CatDude »

Hi

OK, i ran a few more tests with both a frugal install and using pfix=ram
and i can confirm that in my particular case (on my hardware: see my sig below)
i have sound + microphone working (i use a headset) using either of these lines in: /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0,0
The only proviso,
is to have a known working setup (sound + microphone)
before firing up Skype.

What i usually do, is fire up Psip (aka PuppyPhone)
and use the 'music' and 'echo' tests under 'iptel.org utilities'
You do not need to have an account set up to do this..
  • NOTE:
    In the attached image you can see Digital below the Capture
    on this machine, that is not visible until i have run the above tests
    and then restarted the Xserver. (very strange indeed)
Once you are happy that things are working OK,
then start Skype and run their call test.

With luck it should be working OK (and generally it is)


Video and sending files are also working fine.

Hope this helps
CatDude

Edit: corrected a spelling error because i was pulled up about it by some 'MonkeySocks' :wink: :wink:
.
Attachments
retrovol-acer5552.png
my retrovol settings
(12.9 KiB) Downloaded 2060 times
Last edited by CatDude on Mon 04 Aug 2014, 09:16, edited 1 time in total.
[img]http://www.smokey01.com/CatDude/.temp/sigs/acer-futile.gif[/img]

User avatar
saintless
Posts: 3862
Joined: Sat 11 Jun 2011, 13:43
Location: Bulgaria

#29 Post by saintless »

OscarTalks wrote:I believe it will work if you figure out the correct device=hw: number and edit the file...
Thanks, OscarTalks, I will test this later.
I have no much interest from Skype 4.3 since it gives "Aborted" message and does not start on most of my computers (quite old machines). There should be something more changed in the new Skype version to prevent starting on old hardware.
I hope someone will find a way to login with Skype 4.2. I cant find workaround yet but I'm sure I'm not the only one trying to solve this. It is too early yet to give up :)

Toni

watchdog
Posts: 2021
Joined: Fri 28 Sep 2012, 18:04
Location: Italy

#30 Post by watchdog »

Code: Select all

arecord -l
lists mic devices. Subdevice 1 and card 0 identify my front internal mic with the laptop I use.

User avatar
CatDude
Posts: 1563
Joined: Wed 03 Jan 2007, 17:49
Location: UK

#31 Post by CatDude »

Hello Watchdog

This is what i get (on the machine in my sig):

Code: Select all

# arecord -l
**** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
card 0: SB [HDA ATI SB], device 0: ALC272 Analog [ALC272 Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
#
CatDude
.
[img]http://www.smokey01.com/CatDude/.temp/sigs/acer-futile.gif[/img]

watchdog
Posts: 2021
Joined: Fri 28 Sep 2012, 18:04
Location: Italy

#32 Post by watchdog »

CatDude wrote:Hello Watchdog

This is what i get (on the machine in my sig):

Code: Select all

# arecord -l
**** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
card 0: SB [HDA ATI SB], device 0: ALC272 Analog [ALC272 Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
#
CatDude
.
I think you should set:

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-sink device=hw:0,0
load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0,0
in /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa as found out by OscarTalks.

User avatar
CatDude
Posts: 1563
Joined: Wed 03 Jan 2007, 17:49
Location: UK

#33 Post by CatDude »

Hi
watchdog wrote:..I think you should set:

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-sink device=hw:0,0
load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0,0
in /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa as found out by OscarTalks.
As i poited out in my earlier post:
CatDude wrote:..i have sound + microphone working (i use a headset) using either of these lines in: /usr/etc/pulse/default.pa

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0

Code: Select all

load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:0,0
I didn't need to do anthing with the 'sink' line as everything works OK


CatDude
.
[img]http://www.smokey01.com/CatDude/.temp/sigs/acer-futile.gif[/img]

User avatar
DM was on fire!
Posts: 159
Joined: Sat 12 Sep 2009, 15:47
Location: N.E. Georgia Mountains, USA

#34 Post by DM was on fire! »

Awesome. Tried to get into a call and noticed I had no sound. Googled "No sound Skype 4.3" and found a crapload of Linux-based results.
Skype/Microsoft definitely screwed the pooch with this, first not telling us about the upgrade and now ditching Alsa support.

Anyway. I digress.
I tried everything in the first post and I'm still unable to hear sound. Skype doesn't seem to recognize that I'm using PulseAudio. The edits proposed by CatDude don't help either. :/ Any idea?

User avatar
OscarTalks
Posts: 2196
Joined: Mon 06 Feb 2012, 00:58
Location: London, England

#35 Post by OscarTalks »

Confirmed working in Slacko 5.7
I took the dynamic version of Skype 4.3.0.37 from the website and repacked it along with 01micko's Qt libraries (including the plugins for avatar support) as before.

My pulseaudio-2.0-test.pet reduces the size of pulseaudio-2.0.w53orig.pet from 5977 K down to 1059 K and still works for me, so quite a significant reduction!

Both of these are uploaded to http://smokey01.com/OscarTalks for now. Strictly for testing of course, always take the usual precautions.

A reminder that you do need to make sure that the spot directory is owned by spot (not root). Open a terminal and do:-

Code: Select all

chown -R spot:spot spot
Then you can run Skype as spot with the commands as already described.

It may be OK to run everything as root. One thing I am not sure about yet though is if we were to have the pulseaudio daemon launching at startup and running all the time I wonder if this would cause a problem for other applications needing access to alsa for sound input/output?

@ DM on fire
I find that some of the steps in the first post are not necessary. Later posts are now describing a simpler method. What Puppy are you running? Are you able to get pulseaudio --start to work in terminal or do you get an error? What soundcards/hardware are you using? Can you start Skype? What do you see in the sound settings section of the options GUI?
Oscar in England
Image

Post Reply