How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

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nomko

How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by nomko »

Here's how-to install Skype 4.3 properly and also fix crashes:

1. Remove the old version of Skype:
First remove the old version of Skype by using the following terminal command:

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sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin:i386 skype:i386
If this is done, Skype 4.3 can be installed now. Do not close the terminal!

2. Install Skype 4.3 on a 32-bit system:
First we need to install a package. It could be that this package is already installed, you will get a notification about it in the terminal. If not, this package is either removed with the previous command or never been installed. Type the following command in the temrinal:

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sudo apt-get install libpulse0:i386
Now run the following command:

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wget http://download.skype.com/linux/skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb
When the file is downloaded, run the following command:

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sudo gdebi skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb
2. Install Skype 4.3 on a 64-bit system:
To make sure that all required i386 components are installed, run the following command:

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sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
If all packages are installed, run the following command:

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sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install libpulse0:i386
Now run the following command:

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wget http://download.skype.com/linux/skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb
When the file is downloaded, run the following command:

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sudo gdebi skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb
Now the following command needs to be executed:

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echo "LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/ /usr/bin/skype" >> ~/.bashrc
3. Fix Skype 4.3 crashes:
The Skype client can crash because it cannot recover its archive properly. To avoid this so that Skype doesn't crash, run the following terminal command:

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rm -rf ~/.Skype
Skype can also crash when you recieve files. To fix this, do the following:
In a terminal run the following command:

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sudo apt-get install sqlite3
Then run:

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sqlite3 ~/.Skype/$USER/main.db
> SELECT body_xml from Messages WHERE type=68 AND body_xml LIKE '%files%' LIMIT 0,10;
> UPDATE Messages SET body_xml=substr(body_xml,instr(body_xml,'<files')) WHERE type=68 AND body_xml LIKE 'posted%';
> UPDATE Messages SET body_xml=substr(body_xml,instr(body_xml,'<files')) WHERE type=68 AND body_xml LIKE 'sent file%'; > .quit
That's it!
Last edited by nomko on Thu Sep 18, 2014 10:57 am, edited 3 times in total.
kevinagain
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Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:02 pm

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by kevinagain »

sudo apt-get sqlite3
should be
sudo apt-get install sqlite3
kevinagain
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Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:02 pm

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by kevinagain »

Also
my system didn't like
SQL > SELECT body_xml from Messages WHERE type=68 AND body_xml LIKE '%files%' LIMIT 0,10;
it spat an error message about no such database
Habitual

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by Habitual »

nomko wrote:

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rm -rf ~/.Skype
I'd suggest copying the main.db file somewhere safely first IF YOU CARE about chat history.
Otherwise, great write-up | how to | howto
Wompoo
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Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by Wompoo »

I followed the process right through to the last command and then it did not work.
I got this error message:
Image

Meanwhile, I was able to log into Skype again, but the next time I tried to do so to change my account details, it reverted back to Sype 4.2 and would not log in.
Desktop PC #1
Linux Mint 20.3 MATE desktop (64-bit), Asus
ASUSTeK model: P5G41T-M LX, 8 Gb RAM
everard600

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by everard600 »

Hi, I followed the instructions above and ever since then, every time I start a terminal it starts Skype instead. This is not desirable behaviour. Can anyone advise a command to stop this? I suspect that this issue has been caused by entering the command:
echo "LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/ /usr/bin/skype" >> ~/.bashrc

Just looking to reverse it.
Thanks.
Habitual

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by Habitual »

everard600 wrote:Just looking to reverse it.Thanks.

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vi + ~/.bashrc
takes you to the last line in the file,which should be
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/ /usr/bin/skype

hit dd and then ZZ in the vi editor and then type

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 bash
See what's what. ;)
everard600

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by everard600 »

Thanks v.much that worked fine.
Habitual

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by Habitual »

You are very welcome.
Zalbor

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by Zalbor »

My skype is installed from the repositories (Trusty) and is 4.3, why not install it from there? Is there an advantage when you install it from the website?
Dirkoir
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Posts: 324
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:43 pm

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by Dirkoir »

Zalbor wrote:My skype is installed from the repositories (Trusty) and is 4.3, why not install it from there? Is there an advantage when you install it from the website?
I second the question. I, too, got Skype 4.3 (incl. libpulse0) from the Software Manager on LM17-Cinnamon.

What is it that the method described by nomko might fix or do better than a simple and foolproof install of Skype via the Software Manager? A HowTo is always enhanced by including a WhyTo. I have had issues with my Skype (it forgot my account once or twice, and calls to foreign land lines have not been heard well at the other end... none of this is probably fixable by the above steps, but it would be good to be certain). ;-)

Thanks. :)
______
Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon 64-bit | LM19 Cinnamon | LM20.1 MATE | LM20.3 Cinnamon
tinca
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Posts: 674
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:23 am
Location: England U.K.

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by tinca »

I too followed nomko's tutorial and managed to execute every line until the last one. In the terminal it managed about 3 lines and then stopped. I left it for half an hour to see if it would continue but it did not, so I shut the terminal down.

Now when I open a terminal it is empty with no dialogue or flashing cursor. It straight away brings up a Skype page and immediatly re-boots the computer.

What now. Do I completely remove Skype, if so how please. Remember that I cannot use the terminal as it shuts the computer down so quickly and because there is no cursor I probably would not be able to type anything into it.

Best Regards Keith

ps I have been fiddling with it and now when I open the terminal I get a correct display and prompt, but as it opens the terminal it also opens Skype in its own window behind the terminal. It is not a problem as I can just shut it down.
Zalbor

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by Zalbor »

tinca wrote:I too followed nomko's tutorial and managed to execute every line until the last one. In the terminal it managed about 3 lines and then stopped. I left it for half an hour to see if it would continue but it did not, so I shut the terminal down.

Now when I open a terminal it is empty with no dialogue or flashing cursor. It straight away brings up a Skype page and immediatly re-boots the computer.
I think you mean this line, correct?

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echo "LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/ /usr/bin/skype" >> ~/.bashrc
I really have no idea why that line is there. It literally makes your computer run Skype every time you open a terminal.
To undo it, use a text editor (depending on the environment you use, something like gedit, pluma, kate etc.) and open the file .bashrc in your home directory (make it show hidden files to find it). The line

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LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/ /usr/bin/skype
should be at the end or near the end, delete it.

Again, I've no idea why that's part of the guide, even if the guide was needed to install Skype...
tinca
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Posts: 674
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:23 am
Location: England U.K.

Re: How-to install Skype 4.3 properly and fix crashes.

Post by tinca »

Zalbor,

thank you for your post. It worked, and when I open a terminal now, it is back to normal.

many thanks keith
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