Skype and calling o/s

[Ms Piggy]

I have Skype installed on my lovely new lap top...ooooooooo ahhhhhhh loverly, new lap top, oooooooooo *drooling & salivating*. Anywaaaaay...I'm hoping to use Skype to call my Mum in the U.K and my Aunty in Scotland. It didn't work properly on my old desk top PC but I thought that may have been b/c it ran on Windows 98 but my lovely new PC runs on Windows XP.

Does anyone have any hints for getting it to work for calling o/s?

Cheers CSL

[parsley]

First test - Open Skype and go to Tools->Options->Sound Devices and click on "Make a Test Call to Skype answering machine". This is a free test where you call and automated answerphone, leave a message and have it repeated back to you. If this works then you should be set.
If you're calling other computers then it's all free, but if you're calling phones then you need to subscribe to SkypeOut. This is still a lot cheaper than international rates.

[Ms Piggy]

First test - Open Skype and go to Tools->Options->Sound Devices and click on "Make a Test Call to Skype answering machine". This is a free test where you call and automated answerphone, leave a message and have it repeated back to you. If this works then you should be set.
If you're calling other computers then it's all free, but if you're calling phones then you need to subscribe to SkypeOut. This is still a lot cheaper than international rates.

Cheers Parsley - therein the problem lies, we've tried that & the mesage is all garbled & really difficult to understand.

[parsley]

Cheers Parsley - therein the problem lies, we've tried that & the mesage is all garbled & really difficult to understand.

What kind of internet connection do you have?
http://support.skype.com/index.php?_...details&_i=111
Skype should work with a 33.6 Kbps modem but the faster the connection the better. If you've got other stuff running at the same time that could cause a problem. Test your connection using something like this:
http://www.numion.com/YourSpeed/
I get 36 kbps and I hear the Skype answerphone okay. I haven't tried calling yet because my PC doesn't have a microphone so I need to buy a headset (well, get work to buy one for me).

[zadok]

I have just installed the latest release. The mic setup tested out ok. Hopefully I have entered the right country code etc. If someone would like to test it out if they have it, I am registered as zadok_oz, Marty F

[zadok]

Wot!? Nobody using it?

[jazbug5]

I do! Hey, who else is? Just got set up with a mike and stuff last week...

[oldrider]

I am very interested but I'm only on dialup and am very unsure of myself. Does it work between computers Nationally? as well as o/s? I will call you Zadok if I can get it. What is the best type of headset and camera to buy? Oh by the way I use a laptop in a docking station. Cheers John.

PS: Just did the test to Mexico. 3935Bps 31kb. World:4152Bps 33kbps
whatever that means?

[Lias]

PS: Just did the test to Mexico. 3935Bps 31kb. World:4152Bps 33kbps
whatever that means?

Analog modems (dialup) have a theoretical maxmimum data throughput of 56kbps (56 thousand bits per second). In the real world they generally transfer data at 35-45kbps. The data you have there is saying that your connections had data transfer rates of 31/33kbps respectively.

The other figure is the transfer in bytes (8 bits = 1 byte). 3935Bps = 31480bps = 31kbps

Clear as mud?

[Lias]

Cheers Parsley - therein the problem lies, we've tried that & the mesage is all garbled & really difficult to understand.

Fire up sound recorder which can be located via Start Menu -> Program Files -> Accessories -> Entertainment -> Sound Recorder. Push the big red record button, talk into your microphone for a few seconds. Push the stop button, then play it back. Is it distorted or garbled? This will tell you if the problem is to do with your microphone / sound card / PC setup.

[dhunt]

I have just installed the latest release. The mic setup tested out ok. Hopefully I have entered the right country code etc. If someone would like to test it out if they have it, I am registered as zadok_oz, Marty F

The best way to test it is to call echo123. Some lady talks to you then you get to talk back for 10sec and then it replays what you said.

[zadok]

I am very interested but I'm only on dialup and am very unsure of myself. Does it work between computers Nationally? as well as o/s? I will call you Zadok if I can get it. What is the best type of headset and camera to buy? Oh by the way I use a laptop in a docking station. Cheers John.

Works internationally. I have broadband, os shouldn't be a problem. I've done the test and heard my own voice ok. I am only using a $7 desk mic and no camera. Sound thru speakers. But unfortunately haven't tried it for real yet.

[dhunt]

Works internationally. I have broadband, os shouldn't be a problem. I've done the test and heard my own voice ok. I am only using a $7 desk mic and no camera. Sound thru speakers. But unfortunately haven't tried it for real yet.

Speakers work fine but often the other person gets a bit of echo through your mic so if there is just one of you it is better to use a head set.

[zadok]

Speakers work fine but often the other person gets a bit of echo through your mic so if there is just one of you it is better to use a head set.

I read somewhere in the blurb that there is 'echo cancellation', but I can't find where to activate it.

[zadok]

Just speaking to my father in Tauranga. Clear as a bell. Just like he is in the room with me. No echo. Yee haa.