Hi, I have found a fix that gets SKYPE video working in 11.4 - ( LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype ) when placed in a Terminal window it opens SKYPE and video works fine.
How can I get the code to load when opening SKYPE normally. I have SKYPE open at all times when working so can not have a Terminal open continuously.
Any help welcome.
If you are using 11.04 in classic mode…
Right-click on the (word) “Applications” on your top panel, and select “Edit Menu’s”.
In the left-hand panel of the menu editor, select “Internet”
In the right-hand panel of the menu editor, click once on “Skype” to highlight it, and click the “Properties” button.
Change the Command: line from
Command: skype
to
Command: LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
(or whatever command you want to use to launch the application)
Click Close.
and close the menu editor.
Now try skype from the Applications>Internet>Skype menu.
If you have a desktop launcher (shortcut), you can do the same thing, just right-click it, select “Properties”, and change its Command: line
Failed to execute child process “LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype” (No such file or directory) I get this message when I try to launch SKYPE. I checked and the command in a Terminal LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype launches the program with video working?
I will try a desktop shortcut.
Shortcut did not work got same massage.
OK, let’s create a couple of scripts to launch it.
Create a directory for them:
sudo mkdir /opt/skype-launcher
Create the first script to launch the second script with screen, so it doesn’t open a terminal:
sudo gedit /opt/skype-launcher/skype-launcher.sh
When a blank file opens in gedit, make it read:
[b]#!/bin/sh screen -d -m /opt/skype-launcher/skype-script.sh[/b]
SAVE the file, and exit gedit.
Now make it executable:
sudo chmod +x /opt/skype-launcher/skype-launcher.sh
OK, now create the second script, that is actually going to run the launch command:
sudo gedit /opt/skype-launcher/skype-script.sh
When a blank file opens in gedit, make it read:
[b]#!/bin/sh LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype exit 0[/b]
SAVE the file, and exit gedit.
Now make it executable:
sudo chmod +x /opt/skype-launcher/skype-script.sh
Now use the menu editor as previously explained HERE to make the Command: line of the Skype launcher read:
Command: [b]/opt/skype-launcher/skype-launcher.sh[/b]
Now launch Skype from the launcher you just edited.
still having a problem.
tried to go through the procedure again and got the following from the first command:
userone@office2:~$ sudo mkdir /opt/skype-launcher
[sudo] password for userone:
mkdir: cannot create directory `/opt/skype-launcher’: File exists
userone@office2:~$
But the second command says the directory dose not exist:
userone@office2:~$ sudo gedit /opt/skype-launcher/skype-launcher.sh
[sudo] password for userone:
(gedit:2354): Gtk-WARNING **: Attempting to store changes into `/root/.local/share/recently-used.xbel’, but failed: Failed to create file ‘/root/.local/share/recently-used.xbel.4IB6WV’: No such file or directory
(gedit:2354): Gtk-WARNING **: Attempting to set the permissions of `/root/.local/share/recently-used.xbel’, but failed: No such file or directory
(gedit:2354): Gtk-WARNING **: Attempting to store changes into `/root/.local/share/recently-used.xbel’, but failed: Failed to create file ‘/root/.local/share/recently-used.xbel.6X23WV’: No such file or directory
(gedit:2354): Gtk-WARNING **: Attempting to set the permissions of `/root/.local/share/recently-used.xbel’, but failed: No such file or directory
No the one hand I am told the directory exists and in the next that it dose not.
I did a search for the directory but could not find it.
Is it possible to remove the directory and try again?
After doing a little reading, the errors you are getting in gedit are nothing to do with that directory… they are to do with gedit being unable to save/open its “recently-used” document list, due to the /root/.local/share directory not existing.
(seems to be a known bug in 32bit 11.04)
So…
Lets create that directory:
sudo mkdir -p /root/.local/share
Now carry on with the instructions from the second command.
BTW, if you WANT to start from the beginning (after entering the above command)…
This will get rid of the /opt/skype-launcher directory (and everything in it):
sudo rm -R /opt/skype-launcher
But there’s no need… just carry on from the second command.
Finished and when I try to launch skype nothing happens.
No message nothing?
Well you’ve done something wrong then… I’ve tested the commands in that posting 5 times now (copy/pasting) ???
sudo rm -R /opt/skype-launcher
and start again.
if it still doesn’t work, send me the contents of:
gedit /opt/skype-launcher/skype-launcher.sh
and
gedit /opt/skype-launcher/skype-script.sh
and the output from:
ls -l /opt/skype-launcher
and tell me what you are entering as the launcher Command:
Hi thanks for your help, skype is now starting however the video test in skype still fails.
I shall have to wait until Monday to test it with someone who has video.
Strange as skype recognises my webcam let you know what happens on Monday.
Thanks yet again.
If it works with:
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
from the command line it… should work with the above instructions.
Went to make a normal call on skype and it did not open.
Here is the output you requested
#!/bin/sh
screen -d -m /opt/skype-launcher/skype-script.sh
#!/bin/sh
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
exit 0
total 8
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 59 2011-06-17 19:20 skype-launcher.sh
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 64 2011-06-17 19:21 skype-script.sh
I am perplexed as it seems some people seem to have skype working with video out of the box.
I’m a bit baffled too, as those launchers should work.
Can you still make it work from the command line ?
Lets try things from a different angle… can you send the output from:
lsusb
and
lspci
Hi, out put you requested:
userone@office2:~$ lsusb
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 045e:00dd Microsoft Corp. Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 V1.0
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 0c45:627b Microdia PC Camera (SN9C201 + OV7660)
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 07d1:3c03 D-Link System AirPlus G DWL-G122 Wireless Adapter(rev.C1) [Ralink RT73]
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. USB-2.0 4-Port HUB
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
userone@office2:~$
userone@office2:~$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: nVidia Corporation nForce3 250Gb Host Bridge (rev a1)
00:01.0 ISA bridge: nVidia Corporation nForce3 250Gb LPC Bridge (rev a2)
00:01.1 SMBus: nVidia Corporation nForce 250Gb PCI System Management (rev a1)
00:02.0 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation CK8S USB Controller (rev a1)
00:02.1 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation CK8S USB Controller (rev a1)
00:02.2 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation nForce3 EHCI USB 2.0 Controller (rev a2)
00:08.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation CK8S Parallel ATA Controller (v2.5) (rev a2)
00:0b.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation nForce3 250Gb AGP Host to PCI Bridge (rev a2)
00:0e.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation nForce3 250Gb PCI-to-PCI Bridge (rev a2)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV635 PRO AGP [Radeon HD 3650]
01:00.1 Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc RV635 Audio device [Radeon HD 3600 Series]
02:06.0 Multimedia audio controller: C-Media Electronics Inc CM8738 (rev 10)
02:08.0 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB (rev 43)
02:08.1 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB (rev 43)
02:08.2 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB 2.0 (rev 04)
userone@office2:~$
I do not understand the following line: 01:00.1 Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc RV635 Audio device [Radeon HD 3600 Series] (it says it is an audio device but in fact it is the video card)
If i post the following into a terminal window it works: LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
OK, lets start again…
First lets get rid of the other scripts:
sudo rm -R /opt/skype-launcher
Now you can use either of the following 2 methods to launch Skype with the LD_PRELOAD in place.
Method 1
This method uses a cleaner script that loads earlier in the loading sequence than the original /usr/bin/skype binary execuable.
(ie. it’s earlier in the PATH than the actual skype binary)
Create a new script at /usr/local/bin/skype
sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/skype
When gedit opens a blank file, make it read:
[b]LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype[/b]
(that’s 2 separate lines, not a single line)
SAVE the file, and exit gedit.
Now make it executable with:
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/skype
Now REBOOT…
Now check if Skype works with your webcam by opening a terminal and entering:
skype
If your webcam works, just change your skype launchers Command: line back to -
Command: [b] skype[/b]
Method 2
Simply change the launcher Command: line to -
Command: [b]bash -c 'LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype'[/b]
Personally, I’d go for Method 1 as it keeps skype as the launch command, so if any other apps that you have use or launch Skype, they are more likely to load it with the LD_PRELOAD in place.
Your Radeon HD 3650 (RV635) graphics card also contains a HD 5.1 audio controller… Audio is transmitted via the DVI port using a DVI to HDMI adapter that carries both audio and video signals.
See here:
Hi Method 2 worked Ok but method 1 did not.
I do not think I use any programs that interact with skype and so I have working video.
Many thanks for all your help.
Okey dokey… you might want to remove the /usr/local/bin/skype script you created in Method 1 then.
sudo rm /usr/local/bin/skype
Will remove it 