I run a dual boot WinME and Debian Sarge desktop.

My motherboard (new last year) has an onboard Realtek ALC655 AC'97 Audeo Codec.

Skype runs without any problems on WinME (I can talk and hear using the same onboard ALC655 and headset/mike) however my box is mostly booted to Debian as it is more secure and stable it is used as a home network 'server'. I am not a geek!

For Skype to be a practical proposition I need it (or an alternative) to work with Sarge.

I tried Skype for Linux some time ago but uninstalled it again as I had the same problems as I have now.

Thinking the latest version may have addressed the problem, I installed the Debian specific Skype 1.2.0.18-1 on my Debian system (used Synaptic repository deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free) about a week ago and it appeared to install without any errors.

This is a file that has the extension .deb so one would expect that it works in Debian!

Unfortunately the problem is still there.

Using ECHO123 I can hear the 'woman's' voice but there is an equally loud backgroung buzzing. I cannot hear my recorded voice play back but the buzzing is slightly different during the playback phase.

I have checked my settings with Kmix as outlined in http://www.skype.com/help/guides/soundsetup_linux.html

I have also checked that the Hand/Headsets settings for audio calls is /dev/dsp.

My Debian Sarge uses linux kernel version 2.4.27-2-386. I have downloaded the ISO from the Debian site and installed it using the installer that comes with it. Therefore it must be a fairly stock standard Linux Distribution. I would have thought that if Skype did not run on Sarge there would be some advice somewhere indicating what needed to be done. All my searches on the Skype site and Google which include Sarge and Skype have been fruitless.

From my reading to date I thought it may have something to do with ALSA so in desperation I installed 'alsa-oss 1.0.8-1' but no go.

I am at a total loss now where to go next.

Has anyone got it to work on Sarge and if so how?

I can play music and videos when booted in Debian so I know that sound does work but what is so different with Skype?

Would someone from Skype please tell me why Skype's Debian version does not work in Debian or point me to the link in the Skype site that addresses this specific issue. After looking at the forum for some days now there appear to be as many solutions as 'old wifes' tales'.

I tried the Help site but everytime I try to return to the site using the key they supplied I get "Error: Invalid email or ticket key"

Talk about being p...d off.

Would appreciate it if someone from Skype would please put something in the FAQ that addresses the Debian Sarge issues otherwise my only solution is to look for another VoIP