Skype 4.1 Hotfix #3 for Windows

By Raul on October 12, 2009 in Skype for Windows.

We have just released a hotfix version of Skype 4.1 for Windows.

With this hotfix we have resolved a security vulnerability in Skype's Extras Manager and fixed video freezing issues for some of our users who were experiencing them.

As this is a security update, we recommend you to upgrade now.

If you notice Skype is not behaving in the way you expect it to, then please let us know about it through our public issue tracker or forums.

Full release notes for the build 4.1.0.179 are:

Known issues:
Calling
* When a user has multiple USB audio devices plugged in, and removes the active device, they will see a message for a couple of seconds informing them that no devices are available.
Workaround: This is rectified automatically within a couple of seconds if another device is found.

Audio devices
* Some types of Broadcom Bluetooth audio hardware need to contact Skype in order to operate - in which case the following message is displayed: "BTSTAC~1.EXE wants to use Skype"
Workaround: If you have a Broadcom Bluetooth device and experience this issue, then you should try to update the drivers for that hardware. Otherwise, it is safe to Allow access. The issue has been reported to the manufacturer.
* If a participant in a conference call is using a Bluetooth enabled device from Broadcom, the conference call will be terminated when they hang-up the call.
Workaround: Disable btstack.exe (Tools > Options > Advanced > Manage other programs' access to Skype).

Video
* Digital video cameras cannot be used to make video calls on Skype.
* Using YouCam to change special affects on a Skype video call will cause Skype to freeze.
* Skype may freeze when starting video if the Creative Webcam NX Pro (VFW) normally used is not plugged in. Workaround: This is a third party software issue and users are advised to ensure the webcam is plugged in before selecting the option to "Start video"

Busy hard disk
* Skype can become unresponsive when the hard drive is busy.
Workaround: Users are advised to wait for a few seconds for the hard disk activity to reduce.

Busy hard disk / startup
* Users with a large amount of Skype history may find that Skype takes longer than normal to start.
Workaround: Reducing the number of items in the Conversations tab helps alleviate this problem slightly - our engineers are currently working on further solutions.

Conference calling
* Conference calls, which include one or more landline or mobile participants are not placed on hold correctly. The call host and the users on their landline or mobile are not placed on hold - however all other users are.

Installation
* Users cannot uninstall the Skype browser highlighter for Firefox (Vista only).
Workaround: Users are advised to install a patch provided by Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951847

Upgrade
* When upgrading Skype, and installing the Skype plug-in for Firefox, users may experience a crash in Firefox if it is running during the upgrade
Workaround: Close Firefox before attempting to install Skype.

Screen sharing
* Resizing selected area (constantly dragging mouse for more than 20 seconds) causes the system to freeze
Workaround: This is resolved by Microsoft Hotfix #954436, and included in Vista Service Pack 2. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/954436.

Extras Manager
* Skype Extras Manager sometimes doesn't work on Windows 2000
Workaround: Users need to update their IE to IE6 from http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=931125

Miscellaneous
* When a user opens their web browser with no network connectivity, Skype displays an error message that SkypeNames.exe wants to use Skype. This happens when opening Firefox for the first time after installing Skype with the IE and Firefox add-ons.
* Certain graphical components may be misaligned when running Skype with a high graphics DPI setting.

Fixed issues:
Video
* Video was freezing approximately 30 seconds after changing the screen resolution. Note: if the sender is using an older version of Skype, the video they receive can still appear to freeze - something that can only be addressed by updating their version.

Extras Manager
* Updated to version 2.0.0.67
* Fixed a security vulnerability in the Extras Manager. Recommendation to users: use virus protection services in case of any problems.

View blog reactions

Comments

Question:
To solve the Video issues for digital and other camcorders and even webcams.
Could the SKYPE team developers create a DRIVER similar to the one created by Eagletron:
"DVdriver is a software tool that lets you use your camcorder with any software that works with webcams. It works by fooling Windows® into thinking that your camcorder is just an ordinary USB webcam."
I was looking for better video quality and DVdriver is working great with my digital camcorder. I try for free first and later purchased. I am not so sure if this will be a solution for others but they could give it a try. Until Skype Developers create a universal driver capable of fooling windows OS.
http://www.trackercam.com/TCamWeb/dvdriver.htm

I am looking for someone that may be able to help us with a project. We have a client that wants their customers to be able to pull up their database record in our Cynergy Help Desk Software. After they log a ticket, They make a Skype call from the desktop. The Help Desk on the other end gets a "Screen Pop" of the ticket information on their screen, and the Skype call at the same time. This would require some degree of integration between our Cynergy Application (ASP.net/SQL) and Skype. Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Steve Davidson
steve.davidson@cynergysoftware.com
405 516 2420
SKYPE/cynergysoftware

I am totally frustrated. I have used and enjoyed Skype for over a year but over the last three to four weeks I have noticed a significant decline in not only Skype's performance but my (3)PC's (all using XP) performance as well. It reached a point of where all three pcs were functionally useless unless I not only exited, but uninstalled Skype. Of course before doing that I uninstalled and reinstalled the newest build as of 10/19, but that gave me the same result. Once uninstalling everything pc performance was immediately back to normal. Can anyone help?

Is there a possibility that in the future releases you revert from the dark transparent background for emoticons to old Sykpe style background (or at least give the ability to choose that in options)? The emoticons are so much more unclear to choose since version 4. And why Skype cannot add some of more those icons?

And in older versions of Skype you easily differentiated in chats what somebody writes something (Username and time on the background colored thick line).

That are the main reasons that many people still stay with the version 3, like me.

Hi
Skype opens the user MikkoJokinen! to me. My contacts and account is not with this user. My signing is mikkojokinenpri. I do not understand what is happened. MS Vista updates what else. How can I use my old Skype with mikkojokinenpri?

R Mikko Jokinen
mikkojokinen@gmail.com

Hi.
I love using skype , But I am a real bad speller,can the men and women at skype devolope a spell check for skype ? that would be great.

Also why does my lap top crash ,sometimes when using skype ?

Hi.
I love using skype , But I am a real bad speller,can the men and women at skype devolope a spell check for skype ? that would be great.

Also why does my lap top crash ,sometimes when using skype ?

sometimes when im using skype the video dosent work i get UNKNOWN ERROR in the video box space i can still receive video from sender but they cant get video from me. can any help

Can someone please help me? My knowledge of computers ends at the user interface screens. I am running Windows Vista on a Toshiba laptop with a built-in webcam. My Skype connections to the UK worked without a hitch - I only use Skype to contact people in the UK - until I upgraded to the latest version. Since then, no matter whether the call is incoming or outgoing, the moment the video signal arrives Skype crashes. I have tried all I can via settings, uninstalls, reinstalls, I am getting nowhere. I need help to get back to enjoying this fantastic, personnally heartwarming service.

I have a new HP machine with windows 7 and they even advertised skype compatible LOL skypes performance has always been reliable but now with the new machine is hangs constantly. I can't seem to find an answer if anyone can help that would be great!

When skype auto-updated itself to the latest version, it silently installed the eBay Browser Highlighter extension on my PC. I did not ask for, need, or want, this piece of software. I'm really disappointed that Skype has become a vector for spyware, and I plan to uninstall it as soon as I can convince my gaming group to switch to a different voice chat provider (possibly camfrog or ventrilo).

I recently updated to 4.1 and now everytime I try to use Skype, when the recepient answers and even when they don't, it shuts down automatically within seconds. Any ideas on how to fix this?

My WindowsXP went on an automatic update to Service Pack 3. And so did my Threatfire app. Now, whenever I use Skype, it shutdowns automatically without warning. I installed the Hotfix mentioned here and I've tried doing the exceptions on my Firewall, too. Skype still doesn't work. Any other advice on how to fix this? Thanks!

Please help. I too have real problems with version 4.1, upgraded no problem. But calls drop after just few seconds and even the whole skype program crashes.
Bugs?? What do I do? I really need Skype to stay in touch with my family!
Thanks!

Please help! I too have the same problem of Skype shutting down after seconds. We have enjoyed our Skype and come to rely upon it. Does anyone know of another system or service? We are running Windows XP. This has happened on 2 of our computers. Another has Vista and it doesn't seem to have this problem.

Hi, my Skype automatically shuts down after 30 sec without any error massages,I have latest version installed on windows xp and this started like a month ago. Any help?

Hi, I'm running Skype on 2 machines with Vista and 1 with XP. The 2 with Vista on them is the problem. Every time I login to use Skype, it crashes with out notice when I attempt to make a call. It's been working so far on the XP machine. I have downloaded the latest version of the program and it still crashes. I have updated to SP2 for Vista, as recommended by Vista and still no joy. This has been happening for the last 2 days.

Is there a fix for this in the works or not?

I need this so I can call and webcam with my wife. I am in Iraq.

Please help.

Is there a fix for this in the works or not?

I need this so I can call and webcam with my wife. I am in Iraq.

Please help.

Is there a fix for this in the works or not?

I need this so I can call and webcam with my wife. I am in Iraq.

Please help.

wulfler wrote "Every time I login to use Skype, it crashes with out notice when I attempt to make a call. It's been working so far on the XP machine. I have downloaded the latest version of the program and it still crashes. I have updated to SP2 for Vista, as recommended by Vista and still no joy. This has been happening for the last 2 days."

This is happening to me also, I have uninstalled Skype and re installed new download 3 times, still happening. I am running Vista Home Premium fully updated with SP's.
If there is no cure I will just have to remove Skype and find an alternative comms method.
boltonuk

Hi, PLEASE Skype Developer, now here is a popular shutdown after few seconds.
Skype stoped and no working. ...Close program.
what about a solution?