Skype 5.5 does not log on automatically - bug? [ Edited ]

[Tanjo3000]

This is for TheUberOverLord:

As a developer here are a few things you should know and obviously do not judging by your replies on this thread:

1. When you include an option switch in software, it is always advisable that you write the changes to the registry as soon as that option has been changed and approved by the user. NOT wait until the user quits the program! This allows for the option to remain in effect the next time the program is run even when there was a program or system crash that abnormally closed the program!
   
   
2. Starting minimized is a customary default to all programs that run at startup. It should be included as an option and enabled as default when the option to run at startup is chosen.
   
   
3. Microsoft advises that developers no longer use command line switches for startup options. They have advised developers to use option screens along with the registry to set such options since Windows 95!! Command line switches should ONLY be used for console applications.
   
   
4. Denying there is a bug when clearly people are reporting a possible bug is a common major mistake by over confident developers. Your name clearly indicates that you are of that breed of developer! Listen to your users, they are your bug finders. You can not predict all possible setups used by users nor can you predict how they use your software. They are guaranteed to find hidden bugs that you can not reproduce yourself. Even extensive beta testing can not be expected to find all bugs that may be in the software.
   
   
5. Getting users to manually change shortcut entries to bypass problems while telling them that no problems exist is another major mistake. It tells the user that you think they are the cause of the problem when clearly it's the developers at fault. If they did option switches correctly and made propper use of the registry then there would not be confusion. The start minimised and log in automatically should be options stored in the registry area for Skype. Skype should then at startup, look for these options in the registry and not rely on command line switches. It's actually easier to look up the options in the registry than parse the command line so why they chose to do it that way is beyond stupidity!

Also you were wrong to tell hoegge that he should not have mentioned the annoying home screen. He was just mentioning it as an annoying step he has to take while logging in and reproducing his related auto-login problems.

You claim "I don't speak for Skype and never have" but you are a super user of the forum which means you are indeed speaking on behalf of Skype in this forum. If you do not wish to speak on behalf of Skype then step down as a super user.

[edit] I have since found out that a "Super User" is not a moderator of this forum so I withdraw what I said about your remark of not speaking for Skype. But all the rest still stands!

[KGI]

We would like to add our weight to this thread.

We have two new machines - one running XP Professional the other Vista.

Both machine had clean installs of the latest version on Skype.

Both machines have the same log in fault that has been repeatedly report in this thread.

We have observed the fact that whilst the correct check boxes are checked neither skype accounts actually log in.

By right click the grey skype iccon in and  then click login - skype continues to log in as normal - including using the already typed password which it stored on successful shut prior to rebooting each of those two machines.

It is very clear - being a skype user (with our our skype phone numbers) that this error may loose import contact with our staff if they do not manually force the stuck auto log in of Skype.

I ask that the skype team try to re-create the error using a formated drive and either of the two windows systems as above and load the version 5.5.0.114

I concur with a previous poster that we are the users of the Skype service and will for sure find the little tiny and anoying bugs.  Skype is part of us and we know how its front end works.  Please note we use another 10 more skype addresses on our systems and will not update these just yet.

Kind regards

Ian - Systems Admin KGI

[sg020]

Thank you so much rseiler. Your solution is short, practical and adequate!! No endless debats about settings, registry etc. etc. ... which go beyond the interest and experience of any normal PC user. When following exactly your instructions Skype's auto login finally works (XP PRO SP3 with Skype 5.5.0.113).

[Mugsy]

Quick answer for anyone jumping to the end of this thread looking for the answer:

Bug still exists in v5.5.

From Skype | Tools | Options, uncheck "Start Skype when I start Windows". Instead, put a shortcut to Skype in your Startup folder.

Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and add the following switches to the end of the command line:

/minimized /nosplash /legacylogin

Skype will start minimized w/o "/legacylogin", but you'd have to right-click the tray icon and click "Sign In" manually without it, which would then open the Skype window. Use "/legacylogin" to make Skype automatically connect on its own.

Windows7 users requires the extra step of running in "Vista SP2" Compatibility Mode.

[Mugsy]

(Oops, quick correction: "Compatibility Mode" not needed with Win7.

[liroso]

Yippee! [jumping up & down - not a pretty sight] It works!

I use r2 Studios delayer on all my machines so I choose to plug in the parameters you suggested in the EDIT>PARAMETERS box:

/minimized /nosplash /legacylogin

rebooted & hooray problem solved. And, most importantly, I didn't have to go mucking about in the registry.

Now, was that so hard to figure out Microsoft?

Thank you Mugsy! You are my new Obi-Wan.

[Neil]

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liroso wrote:

Now, was that so hard to figure out Microsoft?

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Micrososft does not own Skype yet -- the deal won't close until later this year at the earliest -- and besides, this is Social support for Skype, not an official support channel

[kicks-mobil]

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Mugsy wrote:
1. uncheck "Start Skype when I start Windows".
2. Instead, put a shortcut to Skype in your Startup folder. Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and add the following switches to the end of the command line: /minimized /nosplash /legacylogin

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or easier and more comfortable: correct the registry entry by 1 single command in Start - Run, as posted here:

community.skype.com/t5/Windows/Skype-5-5-does-not-log-on-automatically-bug/m-p/81556#M8649

[Mugsy]

The problem with using the Registry to "fix" the issue is that it changes depending upon your version of Windows.

The "switches" method works no matter which version of Windows you are running.

[Neil]

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Mugsy wrote:

The problem with using the Registry to "fix" the issue is that it changes depending upon your version of Windows.

The "switches" method works no matter which version of Windows you are running.

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starting Skype with a shortcut in your Startups folder allows you to be confident that your customized startup parameters will 'stick', but if the Registry setting exists, I would expect it's settings to take precedence because I think Registry startups occur earlier than those in the Startup group (I haven't tested this however)

and since the Registry setting ONLY affects what happens when Windows starts, if you are in the habit of stopping and starting Skype on a regular basis throughout the day, you will need to apply the customization to the shortuts that you regularly use to start Skype up

my expectation is that Skype will evolve to the point where the customization is not needed at all