skype does not see USB microphone on startup

v_andal

I got really weird problem. I use Logitech Webcam with built-in microphone. Until recently Skype didn't have any issues using it. Everything changed after latest upgrade (to version 4.1.0.20). Now when I start it, microphone does not work. If I reapply configuration (for example clear "Allow Skype automatically adjust my mixer levels" and hit Apply), then everything starts working again. (Next time I set that option again, to get things working

)

All I see on stderr are messages

ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:1018:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave

Besides, Skype constantly uses about 2-3% of CPU, but that might be not related to the problem.

Any advice?

audiodef · Watchman Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 5173

There have been other similar bugs lately. Must be something going around. After my last update, I have to select normal subtitles in smplayer (whether I use subs or not) in order for smplayer not to crash when I play a DVD. I have to do this every time I run smplayer.

Maybe try mv'ing the skype user config dir and letting skype recreate it from scratch?
_________________
Gentoo Studio: http://gentoostudio.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gentoostudio
G+: https://plus.google.com/113947758237122861689/posts
Pappy's Kernel Seeds: http://kernel-seeds.gentoostudio.org

v_andal · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 7:48 am Post subject:

Well, so far I've downgraded Skype to previous version. I guess I'll wait till next version comes out and see how that one will perform.

audiodef · Watchman Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 5173

It happens. I've masked specific versions of things because they just. Didn't. Work.
_________________
Gentoo Studio: http://gentoostudio.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gentoostudio
G+: https://plus.google.com/113947758237122861689/posts
Pappy's Kernel Seeds: http://kernel-seeds.gentoostudio.org

Fred Krogh · l33t Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 776 Location: Tujunga, CA

If you updated your kernel to 3.7.0 recently, you may want to look there. I had the same problem and discovered under Device Drivers, Multimedia support, enabling Media USB Adapters, and GSPCA based webcams (maybe not necessary?) fixed my problem (after recompiling the kernel and rebooting of course).
Fred

zwede · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 80

In my case I had to go to Multimedia support->Media USB Adapters and select "USB Video Class (UVC)", CONFIG_USB_VIDEO_CLASS.

I had it working fine in 3.6.6 and the options were selected in 3.6.6. But during the "make oldconfig" for 3.7.0 it seems to have deselected itself? I did not have to select "GSPCA", btw.

My webcam is a Logitech.

v_andal · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:05 am Post subject:

No, I still have 3.5.7 and as far as I can see Multimedia support section does not have Media USB Adapters.

Well, maybe newer Skype uses some new features from newer kernels, that are not available in mine. So in this case downgrading is the proper way to handle things, since I use "stable" gentoo-sources and "development" version of Skype.