http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype An entire Lightstalkers thread via RSS/XML. en-us Hi hi! Mia here. I am a designer in nyc. I am new to Skype, and it's not working... i'm on an apple G4, and i have tried calling both mobile and land numbers, and I get error messages saying numbers are not valid, or the call goes through but i only hear sirens. Help? any skype wiz out there? based on above results, I'm guessing that I may: 1. need some kind of special head phone to connect to my G4; 2. the receiver *may* also have to be a skyper (unlikely as this makes no sense...) more trouble shooting--i've downloaded the latest version of skype, which is Skype_1.3.0.17.dmg. sadly my first query to Skype tech support last week took 2 days for a reply. going through their list, I don't have a firewall nor am behind a proxy... i don't think... i'm simply on a cable internet hook up via earthlink and NYC time warner cable. thanks everyone! mia Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:54:04 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype I don't use skype myself, but I have installed and played with it a few times. If I recall correctly there's a 'test call' function during the setup, where you call a automated skype account to test that everything is configured properly, did that work? If so then it's probably not a hardware or software problem on your end. If not then follow the troubleshooting directions that should come up. From what I hear, if you plan to use skype it's generally a good idea to invest in a decent mic'd headset.<br/> <br/> Making calls to regular phone numbers with skype requires paying some money, did you do that? If you're just putting the phone number in regular &quot;make a skype call&quot; place that's probably why it's not working. You need to use the &quot;<span id="step5txt">SkypeOut&quot; function to call regular phone numbers. It's not free, but it's damned cheap for long distance calls to regular phones. If the people you're calling have fairly recent computers with a decent internet connection, just get them to download skype too and make calls for free that way.&nbsp; <br/> <br/> Hope that helps,<br/> <br/> d_c<br/> </span> Mon, 21 Nov 2005 15:22:34 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10721 Darren is right and I hesitated to mention it, but SKYPE OUT calls are done by setting up an account for the purpose and putting some money in the acct.&nbsp; Skype to Skype is free.&nbsp; on a Mac though you should not need a headset -- My ibook has worked just fine without it,a nd I have spoken to people in Afghanistan, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Mid East.&nbsp; If the other person with a skype acct does not have a good broadband connection, then you willnotice more &quot;echo&quot; but otherwise it works fine<br/> Mon, 21 Nov 2005 16:03:01 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10731 hi Darren. Thanks for posting! Yeah, what i bought was x euros worth of the "skyOUT". and i just went to their page again to confirm that the skyOUT product is the right one to let you call anyone, traditional phone, cell, non-skype users, etc. there is no test call function during the set up. so, i'm going to have to get w/ their tech support again and hope for the best. Thanks much for trying to help though. happy thanks giving! cheers! m.i.a. Mon, 21 Nov 2005 16:10:50 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10733 To test skype add Echo123 as a skype contact and call it<br/> <br/> If that works out, then you've got a problem with skypeout... and you'll probably have to work with skype tech support to figure it out =/<br/> <br/> Happy thanksgiving to you too! <br/> <br/> d_c<br/> Mon, 21 Nov 2005 16:54:30 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10736 hey Darren. just tried that echo 123. DEF something with the SKYOUT. will let you know what i learn. thx again. mia. Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:08:32 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10737 MIa, Are you typing the international code in before your number? +1 for US, +33 for France, etc? There is no local call with Skype. The receiving party needs to be a Skype user unless you have bought SkypeOut credit. I use a Plantronics headset and it works fine. If you get a head or handset check and double check Mac OS compatibility. In any case it needs to be USB. Don't rely on Skype's support. Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:56:15 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10738 Hi David. i got it to work! so silly. it WAS about putting the 1 before the number. these calls were made via SkypeOut to non-skype users (cell and land). i just didn't think it was about putting in the 1, because on a couple of the tests, the calls went through dialing w/out the 1; and the skypeOut credit was tallying and all. i just couldn't hear anything from the receiver's end, or was gettin error message. any way. phew! so, you're happy with your plantronics headset? I just plugged in a sony audio headphone and tested w/ a friend in ny. sounds great. thanks for posting and trying to help! mia Mon, 21 Nov 2005 20:20:54 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10744 Glad to hear it is working. I am happy enough with the headset now that I have forgotten it cost me $40. I am starting to get use to wearing the thing. This <a href="http://www.cuphone.com/products/usb_to_rj11/">CuPhone RJ11 adapter</a> has just come out for Mac and apparently it works well. Same price though. Mon, 21 Nov 2005 20:51:36 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10746 i don't even have a regular telephone any more. the battery on that panasonic died and i tried to replace but no avail. things go extinct so fast these days. but thanks for the heads up! i just checked out your stuff. nice! mia Mon, 21 Nov 2005 21:05:24 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/need-help-with-my-skype#10747