My old version of Skype no longer works because they insist I download the new version. When I download the new version it no longer recognises my laptop cam. The Skype help offers a 'special download' for people whose cams no longer work but all that does is take you to an older version which is no longer accepted.
Has anyone else had this problem and managed to solve it?
Hi Bob61, don't know if this will help as i am not good on the computer, i was having problems with Skype, it would not recognize my laptop cam, so i uninstalled all of Skype and then went to their web site and downloaded it all, it picked up the cam and is working fine, if all else fails it might be worth a shot.
Thank you both...yes the camera is in the top of the laptop lid as part of the laptop.
Some time ago I downloaded the latest version of Skype only to find that it didn't recognise my cam so I managed to find an older version and downloaded that again and all was well. However, the older version kept telling me it was soon to become redundant and I should download the updated version. I ignored it until this morning when logging in failed and it told me my version was no longer supported and I needed to update.
So, I updated only to find the cam wasn't recognised again. I tried downloading an older version again but this time it still wouldn't let me log on telling me my version was no longer supported.
The help desk does say that the cam on older computers might not be recognised but it gives a 'special download' for people who are affected. This 'special download' is the older version which is not supported and doesn't work
I have tried downloading again and it still doesn't work. I have searched the web and apparently lots of people are complaining about this and the only solution offered is to download an earlier version but earlier versions no longer work...so I guess Skype will be losing lots of customers unless they get this bug sorted. I have deleted mine now...not much use without video.
Have you tried a remote web cam that sits on top of the laptop . One that you need to either insert a mini cd or down load the operating soft ware off the internet. They can be picked up quite cheaply and sometimes come with a ear and mouth piece. Maybe skype would recognise the newer operating system. Just a thought might sort the problem
Thanks for that pnefan but Skype isn't important enough to go out and buy a new cam, and there would be no guarantee that would work either. Skype seem to have shot themselves in the foot at the moment. I am sure if they lose too many customers they will have to do something about it.
UPDATE...sorted! I had to download the new version which wouldn't recognise my cam, access it, and disable automatic updates.
Then I had to delete the new version and download the older version which does recognise my cam. Because automatic updates were disabled it allowed me to sign in without trying to update. I then had to disable automatic updates in the older version to prevent it automatically trying to update and denying me access again.
The only problem now is that I occasionally get an annoying pop up asking if I want to update which of course I decline.
Thank you pnefan. I can't think why Skype have come up with an update which doesn't recognise older webcams. There must be thousands of computers and laptops which are more than 2 or 3 years old and may not work with Skype any more without a load of hassle.