can't open skype. You are already signed in on this computer...

[ruwim]

Now I’m confused, or just don’t understand what you are trying to say. Sorry.

When you are saying “to read the new chats that were there (over 1k)”, do you actually mean by this that you have more than 1000 unread messages? If this is really the case, then completely resetting Skype settings might be a good idea (sorry for these copy/paste instructions).

Quit Skype or use Windows Task Manager to kill any Skype.exe process. Go to Windows Start and in the Search/Run box type %appdata%, press Enter or click the OK button. The Windows File Explorer will pop up. There locate a folder named “Skype”. Rename this folder to something different, e.g. Skype_old. Restart Skype.

N.B. If needed, you will still be able to re-establish your call and chat history. All data is still saved in the Skype_old folder.

[steveo_inf]

ruwim: yea, I'm sorry for being too confusing..I'm trying to explain it the best I can, will try to sumarize.

- The unread chat messages was just an example to show the malfunction of my skype. I have to clarify that that chat room has 20+ people in it, so it has constant messages etc. so if I don't check for a couple of days, all the messages will bulk up into hundreds , sometime thousands.
What happened with this particular example of the chat room, was that after I managed to log into skype, (after getting the 'you are already connected' message, THEN rebooting my laptop, in order to delete the temp files and once again logging into skype (succesfully, just for a few seconds) ) and I tried to read all the old messages, in order for the message count to go down and clear up the queue, it wouldn't clear up. I would scroll down to the latest message, but besides the chatroom name, it will still show that I have 1k+ messages unread.

Regarding the renaming of the Skype folder: The only way I can do that (renaming the skype folder) is if I reboot the laptop, let skype come up (DO NOT try to log into skype), right away go to the %appdata% folder and change it's name, delete the temp file or whatever.. IF I already have skype open (in the frozen state, or in the 'you are already logged in' state) I am unable to kill the skype process, rename the skype folder or delete those temp files and .lck file. 

To g4: That's correct sir, but when my skype goes into it's weird frozen state, I'm unable to quit it using the right button on the skype icon in the task bar. Only way I can quit skype completely, once it's gone into the 'you are already logged in' state , is to reboot the computer and then do the right click - quit skype or kill the process.. once I try to log in, and fail to do so, because of the already mentioned symptom, then there is no chance to close it in the normal ways.

[ruwim]

Do you still see all these “unread messages” after you have renamed the Skype folder to Skype_old. Be aware that all your chat messages are saved in main.db database file, which you can find in the folder named with your Skype name. Deleting or renaming the Skype folder has actually the same effect as deleting the main.db file and so all your chat data should be cleared.

Also, what you can try is (when Skype is still functioning) to right click on the Recent tab and select “Mark all read”. Perhaps this will remove the “1k+ messages unread” message.

[steveo_inf]

yea, the chat message history is cleared by now, it was just an example to show a symptom of the current malfunction of skype. When I do change the folder name, skype welcomes me, I have to configure settings etc, as expected..but soon after that, it crashes again..frustrating.

I want to note that I  de-selected using port 80 and 443, since I (recently) went back to use XAMPP to work on some programming and such (that program also tries to connect to those ports, which brings conflict). Also, the skype problem  began before using XAMPP..so still makes me wonder as to why it started in the first place. 

*I also did a full uninstall on xampp, registry, program file folders , etc.. to clear up any possible conflicts* 

[ruwim]

I don’t have any particular experience with Apache server, but you can try to start your Windows in safe mode with networking and see if Skype is still crashing. This might help to pinpoint some conflicting drivers or services.

[steveo_inf]

Heya

Ok, so skype went back to normal (for now..I wanted to make sure it would remain stable, before posting the outcome. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, on one of the several reboots I did, skype opened up..I tried to log in, and it went in smoothly..didn't lag, of froze.. it's been a lil bit over a day, so hopefully it remains working well.  If it gives me any strange behavior, I will report back.  

To clarify:
After our last conversation, I didn't reinstall, system restore'd, format, touched any files etc.  
I tried the safe mode with networking, but didn't make any difference. Went back to normal mode, still same bad results.. some time later, after a reebot, it came to it's senses..no idea what happened there, if I find out what changed, I'll let you know. 

[steveo_inf]

and I'm back !
Skype stopped working again, same issues as before..and it coincidentaly happened when my mouse left click stopped working (which seems to be a common problem aswell).

I will try to figure out if both events are related, will come back and post any relevant info. 

[moghirl]

Hi guys

I already posted in another thread, so please excuse me butting in again, but I'm anxious for any help that might be available. The problem I've been having all day is, my internet's working fine but skype is not The grey arrows icon never loads to become the green tick box .. when I tried the sound test it says "check internet connection" .. **bleep** this 'new improved skype' .. it's not better .. it was much easier to work years ago before things were changed .. sorry for ranting .. I'm not very techy-minded so any help will need to put quite simply .. thanks !

[lizzyflying]

I also am having the same problem when I try to open Skype I get error message "can't open Skype. You are already signed in on this computer..."  I have tried going to task manager and ending the process - unable to stop it.  I go to %appdata% Skype folder and am unable to delete the *.lock files.  The only way I can resolve this is to reboot my machine, which basically pees me off as I have many things open.   This has only started recently and I would be grateful if Skype technicians have an answer how to fix.

[ruwim]

---

lizzyflying wrote:

I also am having the same problem when I try to open Skype I get error message "can't open Skype. You are already signed in on this computer..."  I have tried going to task manager and ending the process - unable to stop it.  I go to %appdata% Skype folder and am unable to delete the *.lock files.  The only way I can resolve this is to reboot my machine, which basically pees me off as I have many things open.   This has only started recently and I would be grateful if Skype technicians have an answer how to fix.

---

You need first to stop Skype from running on your computer. If you can’t Quit using the system try icon or Windows Task Manager -> Processes, then the only option is to reboot your computer. Next reset all Skype settings.

Go to Windows Start and in the Search/Run box type %appdata%, press Enter or click the OK button. The Windows File Explorer will pop up. There locate a folder named “Skype”. Rename this folder to something different, e.g. Skype_old. Restart Skype.

N.B. If needed, you will still be able to re-establish your call and chat history. All data is still saved in the Skype_old folder.