"Skype has stopped working"

[dazmyhill]

Ok, this is really frustrating now!

Skype crashed and suddenly wouldn't work.

Everytime I tried to load it, it says: "Skype has stopped working". So I tried un-installing it and re-installing it but when I run the setup it gives me the same message. HOWEVER, Skype appears to be re-installed?!

I set up a new profile and ran Skype that way and it worked fine until I logged out then tried logging back in, only to receive the same message!

If anybody has any ideas I'd be very grateful...

[dazmyhill]

Sorry, I forgot to say...I'm on Microsoft Vista home basic - 32 bit! Thanks

[ruwim]

Try with resetting Skype settings.

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.

[wadeyhr1]

I'm having EXACTLY the same problem!  it would be helpful if they had a support # for their site but, alas, they do not.  I am about to give up on skype and assume it is no longer relevant in the world of technology!!

[dazmyhill]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

When I typed the "%appdata%" in the run field there was no 'Skype' folder, only a Roaming folder and a Roaming\Skype file which I couldn't edit or delete.

Any further thoughts?

[ruwim]

If Skype has ever been running on your computer then there must be a Skype setup folder here:

C:\your win user name\AppData\Roaming\Skype

You should also be able to open this folder by typing %appdata%\skype in the Run field.

Have you stopped Skype from running on your computer before trying to rename this folder? Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), Processes tab and make sure that no Skype.exe processes are running.

[dazmyhill]

Nope, this folder is non existent.

And yes I have had Skype running.

I also had a look for any exe processes but there weren't any.

This one has really got me puzzled!

[ruwim]

I don’t know what is going on with your computer. What you may try is to make your Skype to use another data folder instead of the default Roaming\Skype folder. See here how this can be done:

http://community.skype.com/t5/Windows/Skype-update-installed-to-wrong-disk/m-p/674049#M52720

[Wisewill]

I know exactly how you feel i'm on widnows 7 and it has STOPPED WORKING GOSH!

[dazmyhill · Accepted solution]

Fixed. The problem was in fact a very intellegent virus!!

I highly recommend Avast!

Thanks to anybody who replied.