For some reason my Skype continually page faults, usually around 10,000 PFs a second, sometimes more, sometimes less.

I started up my computer and let Skype run for about 6 hours, I didn't use it at all, just let it sit in the tray icons minding its own business. after 6 hours I checked how many page faults it had, and there were over 50 million of them. What could it possibly be doing, I wasn't even using it.

This happens every day. It usually is using about 1-2% of the processor on average (when not on call or chat) and uses about 30mb of memory.

When I do use Skype for internet calls, it works perfectly fine for voice calls and chat. I just want to know why it is causing so many page faults? The next closest app in terms of page faults is Firefox at about 800,000, and i used that all day without shutting it down.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing Skype to constantly page fault. I amusing a fairly new computer, and I usually have about 1GB free of memory (2GB tot).

I disabled my anti-virus(Avast) to see if that was causing it, but that didn't seem to have any effect. People suggested un-checking "Show Outlook Contacts", but that didn't make a difference either.

Also, the page faults continue even if I set my status to off-line.

I ran a process monitor on skype and it seems that Skype is constantly polling the registry. I've included a text file of the process monitor results. It looks like Skype is looping over the same registry values constantly.


Any idea's?

Skype Version 3.5.0.239
I am running Windows Vista Pro - 32bit
2GB memory

This post has been edited by mike38: Wed Oct 3 2007, 22:19

Attached File(s)

 Skype_Logfile.txt ( 257.32K ) Number of downloads: 385

 

This is the first time I have seen a report of this kind of problem. Several things come to mind:

- Corrupted installation or configuration files somehow? Have you tried doing a complete uninstall and clean installation of Skype? Instructions below.

- Skype "Extras" or Browser Plug-Ins running wild? This can be tested and perhaps solved with the complete uninstall and clean install, when the first installation screen comes up click "Options" in the lower left corner, and in the options window un-check the Extras and Plug-Ins.

- Webcam software problem? Logitech QuickCam application software is known to drive Skype crazy on some systems, do you have such a cam installed? Or any other webcam for that matter?

- Audio / Video drivers out of date? Check and update as necessary

- Microsoft DirectX out of date? Don't trust just "9.0c" as being up to date, download and install the latest version from Microsoft download.

- AntiVirus / Firewall conflicts and problems? McAffee is known for having major problems with Skype.

If none of this helps, you will need to give more information about your installation in order for someone to try to figure it out with you:

A) Skype version currently installed (Skype->Help->About)

B) What type of PC, Desktop or laptop.

C) Operating System, Version, Patch level (e.g. Windows, XP, Service Pack 1 or 2, etc)

D) CPU Type and Speed

E) Amount of Memory.

F) Type of Internet connection and speed (e.g. dial-up or broadband, 768 down/128 up, etc)

G) Router in use? If so, which model?

H) Firewalls in use? If so, which?

I) Headset in use?

J) Have you BOTH tried a test call to 'echo123' if so, what are the results?

K) Is it a PC2PC, Skypeout or Skypein problem?

L) Webcam in use? If so, what make, model and software/drivers?


Here are the instructions for a complete uninstall and clean install:

Reinstall Skype – clean

First logoff Skype and shut it down.

Warning you must remember your Skype username and password before you do this otherwise you will not be able to log in when you restart Skype because the link to your username and password details will be lost when you delete config.xml and all options are reset to default.

You are also advised as a safety factor to backup your contacts list by going to the Main Skype window> …… Tools> …… Advanced> …… Back up Contacts to File. This will create a YourSkypeUserName.vcf file in a location on your PC of your choice.

1.
In windows control panel, uninstall Skype using (Windows XP) "Add or Remove Programs" or (Windows Vista) "Uninstall a Program". If the uninstall asks if you want to delete your personal data or history, say yes.

2.
From the windows taskbar click "Start", then "Run".
In the "Open" field, Type: %AppData% then press enter or C/R carriage return whichever your keyboard has.
This will open Windows Explorer and take you to the application data folder.
Now in this folder look for the "Skype" folder. Look carefully, because the folders might not be in alphabetic order; if there is one, Delete it.
If it won't delete for some reason, rename it to something like "SkypeX".

3.
Double-click "My Computer" (Windows XP) or "Computer" (Vista), and in the Explorer window that opens, navigate to "C:\Program Files" (your Windows system drive might be other than C:, so adjust accordingly). Look for a folder named "Skype"; if there is one, Delete it.
If it won't delete for some reason, rename it to something like "SkypeX".

4.
If you want to be absolutely certain that everything is gone, you also need to perform this step. However, as I am loathe to recommend registry editing to casual users, I recommend that unless you have other reasons to do so, perform this procedure without this step, and then if you still have a Skype problem you can repeat the procedure including this step. The extra work is not bad compared to the risk of screwing up your registry.
Download, Install and Run RegSeeker 1.55 (freeware)
Go to "Find In Registry", type "Skype", and delete ALL entries that it finds.

5.
Reboot PC.

6.
Reinstall Skype in the normal way.

7.
When Skype runs for the first time after reinstalling, it will bring up a window to create a new account. Close this window, and login in to Skype normally. If it does not bring up this window, you missed something in the uninstall and it still knows your Skype login name, which means you did not successfully complete the full uninstall, you need to try it again.

This is the first time I have seen a report of this kind of problem. Several things come to mind:

- Corrupted installation or configuration files somehow? Have you tried doing a complete uninstall and clean installation of Skype? Instructions below.

- Skype "Extras" or Browser Plug-Ins running wild? This can be tested and perhaps solved with the complete uninstall and clean install, when the first installation screen comes up click "Options" in the lower left corner, and in the options window un-check the Extras and Plug-Ins.

- Webcam software problem? Logitech QuickCam application software is known to drive Skype crazy on some systems, do you have such a cam installed? Or any other webcam for that matter?

- Audio / Video drivers out of date? Check and update as necessary

- Microsoft DirectX out of date? Don't trust just "9.0c" as being up to date, download and install the latest version from Microsoft download.

- AntiVirus / Firewall conflicts and problems? McAffee is known for having major problems with Skype.

If none of this helps, you will need to give more information about your installation in order for someone to try to figure it out with you:

A) Skype version currently installed (Skype->Help->About)

B) What type of PC, Desktop or laptop.

C) Operating System, Version, Patch level (e.g. Windows, XP, Service Pack 1 or 2, etc)

D) CPU Type and Speed

E) Amount of Memory.

F) Type of Internet connection and speed (e.g. dial-up or broadband, 768 down/128 up, etc)

G) Router in use? If so, which model?

H) Firewalls in use? If so, which?

I) Headset in use?

J) Have you BOTH tried a test call to 'echo123' if so, what are the results?

K) Is it a PC2PC, Skypeout or Skypein problem?

L) Webcam in use? If so, what make, model and software/drivers?
Here are the instructions for a complete uninstall and clean install:

I have the same problem. I leave it running for a couple of hours and it gets 122,xxx,xxx pages fault with an average page fault delta of 9000. It has page fault delta of 9000 even when it is not being used. And it is alway consuming 1 or 2% of the cpu. I guess ppl don't usually notice that because no one usually watch for page faults or page faults delta in task manager. But it is driving me nut. (like my note book fan won't turn off unless i close Skype).

Question to your answerl
A) 3.5.0.234
B) HP Pavilion tx1120us Notebook PC
C,D,E) see attached picture
F) wireless to broadband
G)
H) Windows
I) no
J) echo123 result is very good
K) it sits here and generates page faults. no really related to PC2PC, Skypeout, nor Skypein.
L) Logitech quickweb. But even when the webcam is unplugged. It will have a 9000 page faults delta.

I tried your suggested method of clean installing Skype with a version that I just download off the website.
After I uninstalled, clean up the directories, reboot, and try to install, it started to give me the 1603 error.
I have no way to install Skype again but Windows system restored saved me.

I gonna let myself cool down and may be try again.

Meanwhile, I wonder if you have any advice for this problem?

I know it is not the right place to express the following, but I still do so.
Recently, i guess since i have install version 3. The call quality has gone down alot. For video calls, audio is okay but video always get behind. For PC to regular phone call, the other side can barely hears me. My parents don't even want to talk to me on skype because it is difficult to hear what i say.

I used to like Skype and i am getting a little upset recently. I hope someone here will take my feedback here and make Skype usable.

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

First, I agree with 100% of what you said. Unconditionally.

For the page fault problem, I have offered the best advice I have; if that doesn't help, then someone who knows a lot more than me about Skype internals is going to have to help you. That will not be Skype "support", for reasons I have ranted about on these forums before, so I won't repeat them again. The bottom line on that is, if you have any houseplants, go sit in the corner and talk to them about your Skype problems for a while. It will be a lot better for your nerves, and it will produce exactly the same results that trying to communicate with Skype "support" will produce. I mean it.

The Logitech QuickCam hardware AND software can be a problem. Even when the camera is unplugged, if you still have the QuickCam application software installed, it can cause huge problems with Skype. This might, just might, have something to do with your page fault issue. If you still have the patience and nerves for it, and you don't actually use any of the special features of the QuickCam software, you could try uninstalling that and see if it makes a difference.

The installer error 1603 seems to be something that covers a series of problems. There was a recent thre3ad (in the past couple of days) where this happened, and it turned out to be because of an interaction between the installation of Skype Browser Plug-Ins and Firefox being on a removable USB disk or some such. But that brings up another good thought - do you have Skype installed with the "Extras" and "Browser Plug-Ins"? If so, try uninstalling it, and then when you reinstall choose Options in the first installation screen, and then un-check the Extras and Browser Plug-Ins. This might make the installation work, and it might even help your page fault problem (the Extras manager seems to occasionally run amok), or it might have no effect at all... Sigh.

As for your final comment, about quality and reliability, is it possible for me to agree with you 200%? Or more? Skype MUST concentrate on improving the quality of their basic product, which is chat, audio and video. It has been stated in these forums too many times to count that the quality has gone down with every release since 3.0. Skype does not accept that argument, which I suppose is their right, but the simple fact is that if things continue in this way, they are going to lose. One of the biggest strides forward they could make with minimum effort would be stop screwing around with and "Extras" manager that allows you to play games in Skype, or whatever, and to stop screwing around with "Browser Plug-Ins" which cause users internet browsers to hang, crash, and go crazy, which cause installer problems, and God only knows what else. These not only contribute NOTHING to the basic functionality of Skype, they actually impede or totally block its use by ordinary users. At an absolute minimum none of them should be installed by default.

Please report a bug/security risk here giving as much detail as possible to help the development team try to solve your problem. You will need to create an account using your Skype username and password then login with your Skype username and password and report your bug/security risk also please include a logfile with you report.

Skype log file location

A guide on how to create and send log files can be found here.


Once you have done this please post the report url in this post so we can monitor the progress/comments made by Skype. Thank you.

Bug filed.
https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SCW-577

Bug filed.
https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SCW-577

Thank you for posting the bug link.

I experience the same bug. It's outrageous!!! I can't believe how skype has become such a huge piece of software; then I go back to my linux installation and I see how it's left in peace to die...

Now, about the page faults. Something MUST be done.

1. Uninstalling my logitech webcam is NOT an option.

2. Deleting my history is NOT an options.

Getting rid of extras has not helped.

This post has been edited by earlpiggot: Tue Oct 16 2007, 23:18

1. Uninstalling my logitech webcam is NOT an option.
2. Deleting my history is NOT an options.

The bug is also present in my office where there is no webcam at all. And I did the suggested test as well:

I removed Skype together with its History, then manually deleted Skype folder in Program Files folder, and checked that there was no Skype folder left in appdata folder. So, I did a clean install then, without the extras manager, only to find out that EXACTLY the same problem appears again. Hundreds of page faults per second...

Devs, DO something, please.

Just one other thought about possible causes of this. When you installed without the extras manager, did you also exclude the browser plug-ins? If not, it might be worth one more try after getting rid of them. It's not likely this is the problem, but we would all be a bit red-faced if it turned out to be and we hadn't checked it.

In the following procedure, please note that the ActiveX control under "Add-ons which run without requiring permission" can only be disabled, unfortunately it cannot be removed.

Please let us know if this helps at all.

How to Remove / Disable Skype Browser Add-ons and ActiveX controls

Internet Explorer 7:

- If there is a "Skype" Icon visible in the IE7 toolbar (you might need to click ">>" at the right end of the toolbar to see it), click on the down-arrow at the right side of the Icon and select "Remove Skype add-on for IE"

- If you don't see a "Skype" Icon in the IE7 toolbar, go to Tools / Manage Add-ons / Enable or Disable Add-ons. Select the "Skype Browser Extension" and the "Skype Browser Helper Object", and for each of them choose "Disable". Note, this will only disable the Add-ons, it does not actually remove them.

Firefox:

- If there is a "Skype" Icon visible in the Firefox toolbar, click on the down-arrow at the right side of the Icon and select "Remove Skype extension for Firefox"

- I you don't see a "Skype" Icon in the Firefox toolbar, go to Tools / Add-ons, select the "Skype Extension for Firefox", and click Uninstall. Then close the Add-ons window, close Firefox, and restart it.

For BOTH Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox:

- In Internet Explorer, Go to Tools / Manage Add-ons / Enable or Disable Add-ons. From the drop-down list at the top of the window, select "Add-ons that run without requiring permission". Then select the Add-on with Publisher "Skype Technologies SA", and click "Disable". Unfortunately it is not possible to remove this add-on, the best you can do is disable it.

did you also exclude the browser plug-ins?

Yes. I have never used skype browser plug-ins. Plus, I only trust Firefox with googlebar extension.
No skype browser addons here.


This post has been edited by earlpiggot: Wed Oct 17 2007, 10:20

Did you all see they have closed this problem by saying it has been resolved by design no can that be correct IMHO and I am no programmer. I don't know of any other application running that has that many page faults per day, at one stage mine was up to 50 million.

https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SCW-577?page=all

I can confirm the same problem in Vista Ultimate, and even worse: page faults at a rate of over 6,000 per second!

Since they closed the previous ticket I just cloned it with the following comment, which sums it up for me:

Yeah, you guys really have a problem here. I've been a developer for 25 years and there's simply no excuse for a program like this to fault thousands of times a second and chew up 2-3% of available CPU. Someone made a mistake, now just own up to it and fix it or else a lot of folks will stop using your product.

You will be hard pressed to get Skype to "own up to a fault", ever, under any circumstances. Thousands of page faults a second? Not a fault, it was designed that way. Four days MINIMUM for a support response, and apparently an UNLIMITED maximum, even when they are holding your money hostage? Not a fault, it was designed that way.

On the other hand, they can put plenty of effort into "new features", like "Skype Live" and "Skype Find" and "FaceBook" interfaces, and "High Quality Video" when their standard video is still riddled with holes and bugs.

No wonder the founders decided to take their money and run!

Well, well, Jamie Watson is pissed off!

I came to this thread because earlpiggot posted something concerning this thread on my blog. No, i will NOT remove your post, earlpiggot, but i will not comment on it on the blog i guess.

I checked my task manager: same page faults problem (i hardly know what it means, but "fault" is "fault").

I am running the latest 3.6 version, without the extra's manager, without the Internet Explorer plugin, WITH the Firefox plugin, with a webcam, Windows XP, single core, etc.

Indeed when reading the similarity with the page faults attributed to the interaction between IE and Task Manager, i was also wondering how they dare to compare!

I agree with Jamie, the basic features are (i added one):

• callling
• chatting
• video
• file transfer

Games is for kids, and they anyway stick to MSN (my kids too! )

I hope you all vote in Peter Jeffe's new ticket, before they close it as fixed again...

https://developer.skype.com/jira/browse/SCW-596

Well, well, Jamie Watson is pissed off!

No, Jean, not pissed off. moderately irritated.

I'm very pleased that we agree about the basic functionality! If they would get that really fixed, and then make the "Extras" and "Add-Ons" really optional, and not install them automatically, I might even be happy!

No, Jean, not pissed off. moderately irritated.

You are playing with words ... this means almost the same

OK, let us analyze deeper: another user asked me (privately) if it occurred to me that this is probably NOT a bug.

I thought also about it, but the answer of Raul Liive is unsatisfactorily!

What we see is not the TaskManager - Explorer bug, but perhaps (or probably) the P2P feature. The license agreement says very clearly: "Skype Software may utilize the processor and bandwidth of the computer (or other applicable device) you are utilizing, for the limited purpose of facilitating the communication between Skype Software users.". The bug could therefore indeed be a deliberate "bug"!
But this is a guess

If this is the case, Raul Liive could have answered just this, and for me this would be a satisfactorily answer.

Let us not forget that Skype software is free

I googled on "page fault", because i really don't know what it is.

I found this (Microsoft):
"The number of times that data had to be retrieved from disk for this process because it was not found in memory. This value is accumulated from the time the process is started.

I found also this:
High page faults indicate that the server memory is under stress. You need to then find out other applications that are competing for RAM and decide how to manage.

So, is this a fault? Anyway, unless this is a deliberate Skype action, i still have enough programming background to understand that access to the disk should:

• be limited to a minimum because disk access is slow
• limited to a minimum because this is a rotating hardware device, and is subjected to wear

Therefore - and if this is not deliberate - this is bad programming from Skype!

You can find much more about this "no fault" if you google!

[EDITED] I checked the page faults on my spare laptop (other brand, almost same configuration). The Skype version is a 3.2 version, and although Skype generates also page faults, it is 10 times less!