Skype 5.3 using a ludicrous amount of memory then crashing, win7x64

[geoff]

Skype starts on my amd x64 win7hp 8gb machine using about 130mb of ram, which in itself is ridiculous. Memory consumption rises steadily, passes 1gb and then crashes the machine hard with BSOD. Process of elimination tells me either Skype or the webcam driver is to blame. Crash dumps identify problem in ntoskrnl, however the bsod issue is completely eradicated with skype removed.

Anyone seen a similar issue and managed to resolve it?

[TheUberOverLord]

Please try the Beta release located at Skype.com any change?

[geoff]

OK. Have done so. It's still occupying 130mb at startup, do we expect it to be so heavy? That's more than firefox wants? Will see how it progresses.

[geoff]

Twenty minutes later taskmgr reports 37mb and dropping, a lot more like it. I expect this is a fix, but I'll keep an eye on it for bsod for a day or two. Thanks.

Odd how the beta release can be more stable than the 'stable' version...

[TheUberOverLord]

You are very welcome. Most likely the beta release was patched to resolve this.

[ruwim]

I don’t want to disappoint you but 37mb for a working version of Skype is more than unusual now days. All the newer versions of Skype, incl.5.5beta are using about 80-100mb when idling and this is the normal behaviour. If your installation is using only 37mb, then it’s very unusual situation. Are you sure that Skype is actually working?

[TheUberOverLord]

However, the current beta release, does seem to release memory better over time.

[geoff]

No good. 5.5 continues to crash itself and the machine, anywhere between a 'skype has stopped working' and a bsod.

[TheUberOverLord]

In your case and your case only, please use this version, note you will need to copy/paste the link below into the browser window of your choice:

skype.com/go/getskype-em

[geoff]

Thanks. what is the difference with this version?