skype 5.5 and 5.7 beta both hang on sign in with 40 to 50% cpu

[JohnEuro]

stopped ToolbarUpdater.exe 

I did have click to call on chrome. I removed it

Started skype - still 40-50% cpu

[ruwim]

What happens now if you continue to login? Can you press the Sign in button and open Skype window.

Also, what version of Internet Explorer is installed on your computer? Note, that even if you are using another browser, Skype is using IE for creating and handling the login screen.

[JohnEuro]

Once I type in a character in the user id, cpu hits 40-50% on skype and 95% or so overall. The laptop slows down. I can continue to enter userid and pwd, hit sign in and get the wheel on the window. But that's it - it never progresses, have left it for 30 minutes. It does not matter whether it's a valid or invalid userid

I have ie 8.0.6 (ie 9 does not work on my version of xp) I downloaded it again but same issue when I tried skype with cpu

Looking at other threads - I did see where it helped others open skype if the compatibility mode was set to xp service pack 3. I don't have that on my dropdown list of options

This may be a red herring as I don't have it on my other laptop either and skype works on that 

[ruwim]

Uncheck the option "Run this program in compatibility mode for". Skype should not be set to compatibility with a previous version of Windows. With the settings shown in the attached image, your Skype is running in compatibility with Windows 95 and this is very wrong. Because your Windows version is Windows XP SP3, you don't have this option available in the selection box.

[Tamim]

Sometimes Running Skype in XPSP3 Compatibility Mode is a workaround for Windows Vista / Windows 7 System. In XP System Skype should not be run in this mode.

Try to uninstall Click2Call from Control Panel.

Check if the issue persists.

[JohnEuro]

Compatibility mode is unchecked when I run skype. I just checked the box to show the drop down options.

I have now uninstalled clicktocall (previously I only took off from Chrome) from the control panel

Re-tried skype - same issue persists with CPU / unable to sign in

[Tamim]

Did you tried Skype 5.6?

http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-full-56

Alternatively, You may also try this temporary solution and just hope that the next Skype updates would fix the issues you are currently experiencing.

Install an older versions of Skype.

You can download ANY versions of Skype from OldApps.com

You need to perform a clean install to install an older version.

How can I completely uninstall and then reinstall Skype?

[JohnEuro]

hmmm

5.6 has the same cpu issue

I went back to 5.1 and it works....

[Tamim]

Thanks for the feedback.

[JohnEuro]

Well now 5.1 has the 50% cpu issue. Only thing I can think is that XP automatic update install applied an update

Tried also 5.7 this morning and 50% remains on this version

Thanks ruwim and Tamin for your suggestions

Is there anyone from Skype replying on this forum?