Skype stopped working Win XP

When skype stops working and crash on launch try the following to correct the problem.

Do not just install "over" the old version quite often some files are not updated correct.

Please delete config.xml

To be found in C: Documents and settings → Your profile name → Application data → Skype → Skype User name → delete config.xml any changes manually edited in this config.xml will be lost.


This config.xml will be rebuilt without any data loss, but hopefully error free, with next start of Skype. You only must log in newly and Skype will rebuilt a new and correct config.xml and will download all your contacts.

IF Still not working

Reinstall Skype

1. Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs → Use add/remove Skype → Allow deleting personal data
2. Now check, C: Documents and settings → Your profile name → Application data → There should be no more any folder called Skype. If still exist→ delete
3. Go to C: → Documents and settings → All Users → Application data → there should be no more any folder called Skype.If still exist → delete

Download RegSeeker (freeware)
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm
Install RegSeeker. Go to "Search" in Regseeker Type "Skype" delete ALL entries regseeker was finding.

Install Skype and Reboot

Skype stopped working Windows 7

The whole world increasingly relies on Skype. Unfortunately, recently this causes for many of us big trouble. What’s going on? Is today’s downtime just another coincidence? Fortunately, for today’s issue a fix is now available.

Around noon several people contacted us what was going wrong with their Skype. A little bit later it appeared Skype was facing serious trouble. Many users world wide were unable to use the service. It became clear we were not suffering alone.

Temporary fix available
A temporary fix has been announced on Skype’s blog, follow them for more updates. The proposed fix can be found below. Update: We added some screen shots because we received several questions about the Windows procedure.

Windows

1. Click Start (Windows button left bottom corner), type run and press Enter. (On Windows XP: Click Start and then Run.) 
2. Type %appdata%\skype and click OK (see image below). 

 3.  Locate and delete the file shared.xml.

4.  If you cannot find this file:

• Click Start, type run and press Enter. (On Windows XP: Click Start and then Run.) 
• Type the following and click OK. control folders 
• In the View tab, ensure that Show hidden files and folders is enabled. 
• Repeat steps 1-3. 

5. Restart Skype.

IF still not working

1. Reinstall skype

• Click Start
• Control Panel
• Programs and Features
• Click Skype in the list and Uninstall

2. Click Start (Windows button left bottom corner), type run and press Enter. (On Windows XP: Click Start and then Run.)  
3.  Type %appdata%\skype and click OK
4. Delete all files in the window.
5. Reinstall Skype

Security Tips for PDF users

The good thing about Adobe's PDF format is that nearly everybody uses it--and if you just need to read those documents, it's free. Sadly, the program's very popularity is what attracts the bad guys. Hackers, say the security experts, look for a "target-rich environment," and with tens of millions of users, Acrobat and Reader fit the bill.


So what can you do to stay secure? I wish I had advice that went beyond the conventional wisdom, but I don't. I contacted security experts at Adobe and Symantec, and they both said pretty much the same thing. Marc Fossi, Manager, Research and Development, Symantec Security Response said this:

1. Consumers should make sure to keep their software up-to-date with all the most recent versions and security patches at all times. An easy way to do this is to ensure that applications are configured to retrieve updates automatically whenever there is a live Internet connection.

 2. Using a full security software suite that includes antivirus and intrusion prevention capabilities can also protect against these types of threats.

Sure, Symantec is in the business of selling security software, so naturally they'll tell you to use their product. But in this case, put aside your skepticism and do what the man says. Newer security programs really do filter out lots of malware. And while it may seem utterly obvious, I'll repeat this old chestnut: Don't open attachments from people you don't know.

If you're running version 9 of Reader, you'll be prompted to download a security patch within the next few weeks. Do it.

Fix Random Windows 7 Freezes, Test Mode

Learn how to stop Windows 7 from freezing at will, remove a mysterious "test mode" watermark, and find out exactly what version of Windows you're running.

Of all the hassles that can plague a PC user (and, trust me, there are many), few are as infuriating as random lockups. There you are, typing along, when suddenly everything just freezes. No error message, no blue screen, just a locked-up, unresponsive system. I've been there. I feel your pain.

If you're a Windows 7 (or Windows Server 2008 R2) user, you may be in luck: Microsoft recently issued a hotfix for systems that stop responding randomly.

What causes the problem? Microsoft says it's "a deadlock condition between the Lsass.exe process, the Redirected Drive Buffering Subsystem (Rdbss.sys) driver, and the Winsock kernel." Well, duh! That was going to be my first guess.

The hotfix is available for both 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. (Fun fact: you'll often see these versions represented as "x86" and "x64," respectively.) To get it, go to the appropriate Microsoft Support page, click "View and request hotfix downloads," accept Microsoft's terms, choose the hotfix compatible with your system, and provide your e-mail address. Click "Request hotfix," then check your e-mail inbox for a message containing a link to the download.

I'm not sure why Microsoft makes you jump through these hoops, but, then again, I'm not sure why Microsoft does half the things it does.

Remove the 'Test Mode' Watermark from Windows 7

Isn't it cute the way Windows always finds new ways to surprise and annoy you? Like today, for instance, I booted my system and noticed something new in the lower right corner: 

Test Mode 
Windows 7 
Build 7600

I've been using this licensed and activated version of Windows 7 for nearly a year. What's with the bizarro watermark all of a sudden?

Who knows? I've also been trying to troubleshoot a weird, out-of-the-blue "security warning" message that appears whenever I click a Start Menu program. As I regularly tell my dad when crazy stuff like this happens: "That's Windows for you."

Don't get me wrong--I like Windows 7 a lot. I'm just a little fed up with this kind of thing. And I recently gave up coffee, so I'm a little cranky. Anyway, if you've encountered that same watermark in Windows 7, here's how to get rid of it:

1. Click Start and type cmd. 
2. Right-click cmd and choose Run as Administrator. 
3. At the command prompt that appears, type bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS 
4. Press Enter, then type bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF 
5. Press Enter, then type exit and press Enter one last time. 
6. Reboot your PC. 
7. That should send the watermark packing; it did on my system. 

Oh, Windows--what exciting surprises do you have in store for me tomorrow?

Quickly Determine Which Version of Windows You Have 

You probably know if your PC is running Windows XP, Vista, or 7--but do you know which version of Windows it is? For example, is it XP Home? Windows 7 Ultimate? And is it the 32-bit or 64-bit variety? 

Knowing the answer to the last question is increasingly important these days, as you can't run 64-bit software on a 32-bit OS. Likewise, if you do have 64-bit Windows (often referred to as "x64"), you should always opt for 64-bit versions of your favorite applications (when available).

Windows doesn't paste this information anywhere in plain sight, but it's easy enough to find. In Vista and 7, right-click your Computer icon and choose Properties. Presto: all the information you need in one handy box. You can also click the Start button, type version, and then click Show which operating system your computer is running.