I have two Windows 7 machines - this one (Toshiba, apparently four cores
though I think two, 32 bit, 4G; and a big old Acer, single core -
actually ex-Vista, I think - but 17" screen, 64 bit, 3G; I keep it for
Skype and TeamViewer, and it does those well).

I've never got Skype working on here (the more modern machine). I've
tried Skype 7, 6, and I think even 5. It apparently installs and runs,
but says something like "Skype can't connect" (in a slightly different
way/window depending whether I'm trying 6 or 7, but the gist is the
same). I _am_ entering the right Skype ID and password.

For some reason - can't remember what prompted me - I downloaded and ran
Skype-8.25.0.5.exe. Although I don't think it went swimmingly, it did
install - and ran, and connected! I had all my contacts and so on, and
generally all was well: I even tried a connection to the test robot,
which worked fine.

Some time later, I noticed the fan was running more than usual, and sure
enough, Skype was using about 25% CPU - most of one core. I had
deliberately left it on (yes, I know, but I _don't_ have a tinfoil hat);
I don't mind it running in the background, and was happy to leave it on
in case anyone calls me. But 25% seemed a bit much (and I don't _think_
it was using that much initially). So I closed it down - properly, from
its own tray icon or taskbar (I forget which), not crashing it from Task
Manager. But now I can't start it again. Something seems to happen for a
minute or so, then stops. I _haven't_ tried a machine reboot; I will in
time.

On the old clunker (but with big screen), it's been running fine for I
think some years; of late I've been getting "update", and declining it.
After it worked - initially - on here, I decided to try to update it on
the old machine. (I think I remember now what prompted this lark to
start: I think Skype sent me an email. That's right; I tried updating
the Skype on here by telling it to, and it failed but gave me the link
to download the .exe mentioned above.) It seemed to do something, but I
had no Skype. If I tried, something took its single core to 100% for a
minute or so, and put the icon in the tray, then stopped (and the icon
disappeared).

So, alarmed that I might lose my only working Skype (I do need it, for
occasional help to my blind friend), I did a system restore - and
fortunately, it came back - version 7.38.0.101, which is working. But of
course is now telling me it'll "be discontinued soon."
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Never be led astray onto the path of virtue.