Hi,
Not sure if this is coincidence or not but I installed my copy of the Windows Vista Beta this weekend on a spare physical drive in my main PC. I also installed Skype. I noticed that none of my contacts were listed. When I tried my laptop running XP I noticed that they had gone from there also. So something has happened to delete them from my account. I am using 2.5.0.113 on all my machines. Is this familiar to anyone?
Full Version: Skype Contacts Disappeared
scpitkin
You contact should still be listed in your config.xml file on your PC.
You contact should still be listed in your config.xml file on your PC.
Thanks but this now contains the contacts that I am in the process of reconstructing, I doubt that there is an easy fix. What I am curious to learn is, has this been experienced by others? Does it seem to relate in any way to Vista or is there another cause?
[quote=scpitkin]Thanks but this now contains the contacts that I am in the process of reconstructing, I doubt that there is an easy fix. What I am curious to learn is, has this been experienced by others? Does it seem to relate in any way to Vista or is there another cause?[/quote]
Did you happen to check Show Only Online Contacts?
Did you happen to check Show Only Online Contacts?
No. It wasn't that.
scpitkin,
Depending on your Skype version, your contacts are centrally listed so where ever you are, as soon as you log on to your Skype Account, your contacts are loaded.
Ike
Depending on your Skype version, your contacts are centrally listed so where ever you are, as soon as you log on to your Skype Account, your contacts are loaded.
Ike
that means they are managed on skype servers now, before that i heared that they are managed locally?
[quote=softbiz]that means they are managed on skype servers now, before that i heared that they are managed locally?[/quote] As I stated in my previous post.
Ike
Ike
This cannot be true because I have lost my contacts list while updating and they have not come back.
Herne,
From which version did you update?
And did you log off and on again after updating?
Ike
From which version did you update?
And did you log off and on again after updating?
Ike
I updated from Version 2.5.0.126 to Version 2.5.0.130 and yes I logged off and on again.
I have been using Skype almost from the time it first came out and this is the first time I have lost all my contacts. I have had no problems with Skype before. I couldn't believe it when it came up with no contacts whatsoever.
I have searched through all the hidden files for the old config.xml with all my contacts in but it is definitely not there.
I have been using Skype almost from the time it first came out and this is the first time I have lost all my contacts. I have had no problems with Skype before. I couldn't believe it when it came up with no contacts whatsoever.
I have searched through all the hidden files for the old config.xml with all my contacts in but it is definitely not there.
Herne,
The contacts are stored on a central server so can't be lost.
Are you sure you logged on with the same name / password (characters)?
Also is your firewall updated?
Ike
The contacts are stored on a central server so can't be lost.
Are you sure you logged on with the same name / password (characters)?
Also is your firewall updated?
Ike
Yes I have used the same name and password for a long time and my firewall is up to date. The computer is clean of spy ware , virus etc., and running very smoothly.
A friend in England had the same problem, so as the contacts are supposed to be stored centrally and you can log on anywhere in the world I logged in with his user name and password to see if his contacts appeared on my computer. I had the same result as he had, his list of contacts had completely disappeared.
My wife uses Skype under another name on a different computer and when she updated she too lost all her contacts. Also a friend in America had to reformat and when he logged on using his old name (after my advice that the Contacts are stored centrally) he had no contacts.
I think all these instances prove that your contacts list is not stored centrally but on each computer and if there is a glitch with the config.xml you lose all your contacts.
A friend in England had the same problem, so as the contacts are supposed to be stored centrally and you can log on anywhere in the world I logged in with his user name and password to see if his contacts appeared on my computer. I had the same result as he had, his list of contacts had completely disappeared.
My wife uses Skype under another name on a different computer and when she updated she too lost all her contacts. Also a friend in America had to reformat and when he logged on using his old name (after my advice that the Contacts are stored centrally) he had no contacts.
I think all these instances prove that your contacts list is not stored centrally but on each computer and if there is a glitch with the config.xml you lose all your contacts.
QUOTE(herne67)
Yes I have used the same name and password for a long time and my firewall is up to date. The computer is clean of spy ware , virus etc., and running very smoothly.
A friend in England had the same problem, so as the contacts are supposed to be stored centrally and you can log on anywhere in the world I logged in with his user name and password to see if his contacts appeared on my computer. I had the same result as he had, his list of contacts had completely disappeared.
My wife uses Skype under another name on a different computer and when she updated she too lost all her contacts. Also a friend in America had to reformat and when he logged on using his old name (after my advice that the Contacts are stored centrally) he had no contacts.
I think all these instances prove that your contacts list is not stored centrally but on each computer and if there is a glitch with the config.xml you lose all your contacts.
A friend in England had the same problem, so as the contacts are supposed to be stored centrally and you can log on anywhere in the world I logged in with his user name and password to see if his contacts appeared on my computer. I had the same result as he had, his list of contacts had completely disappeared.
My wife uses Skype under another name on a different computer and when she updated she too lost all her contacts. Also a friend in America had to reformat and when he logged on using his old name (after my advice that the Contacts are stored centrally) he had no contacts.
I think all these instances prove that your contacts list is not stored centrally but on each computer and if there is a glitch with the config.xml you lose all your contacts.
What I can say for a fact is that this bug has nothing to do with Vista. I have Skype installed on my Vista and nothing similar happend.
Try the following to force a CBL sync.
Turn Skype off.
Go to: C:Documents and Settings<User>Application DataSkype
There you will find a folder with the same name as your Skype user. Back it up in a different location and delete it from there.
Turn Skype back on and relogin with you user.
Initially you might not see any users in your contact list, but it should repopulate as you are synced with the CBL server
Please make sure you are using the latest version of Skype.
Hope it helps.
I did exactly as you stated and there was no difference. My list of contacts that I originally had did not reappear, only the few that I have since remembered and as I have previously stated it was when I updated to the latest version of Skype from the version before it that my list of contacts disappeared never to reappear.
All of which proves that contacts are not stored centrally. I would think that they are stored somewhere else on your computer and if a glitch happens and they are deleted from that location your contacts disappear.
There are too many people losing their contact list while doing various manoeuvres (i.e. reformatting, upgrading etc.) for the contact list to be stored centrally.
All of which proves that contacts are not stored centrally. I would think that they are stored somewhere else on your computer and if a glitch happens and they are deleted from that location your contacts disappear.
There are too many people losing their contact list while doing various manoeuvres (i.e. reformatting, upgrading etc.) for the contact list to be stored centrally.
Herne,
The contactlist is stored centraly. I have been logging on from different computers, different locations, even different countries and as soon as I connect to Skype, my contactlist downloads.
Try to log on to your Skype account from a totally different location. As soon as your contactlist is downloaded, export it -> Skype -> Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up contacts to file, copie to USB stick or CD and import again on your own computer.
Or, if you have a friend you trust, let him/her log on to your account on his/her computer to export the contacts.
Ike
The contactlist is stored centraly. I have been logging on from different computers, different locations, even different countries and as soon as I connect to Skype, my contactlist downloads.
Try to log on to your Skype account from a totally different location. As soon as your contactlist is downloaded, export it -> Skype -> Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up contacts to file, copie to USB stick or CD and import again on your own computer.
Or, if you have a friend you trust, let him/her log on to your account on his/her computer to export the contacts.
Ike
[quote=paraveterinary]Herne,
The contactlist is stored centraly. I have been logging on from different computers, different locations, even different countries and as soon as I connect to Skype, my contactlist downloads.
Try to log on to your Skype account from a totally different location. As soon as your contactlist is downloaded, export it -> Skype -> Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up contacts to file, copie to USB stick or CD and import again on your own computer.
Or, if you have a friend you trust, let him/her log on to your account on his/her computer to export the contacts.
Ike
Ike.
I think this has already been tried[quote]A friend in England had the same problem, so as the contacts are supposed to be stored centrally and you can log on anywhere in the world I logged in with his user name and password to see if his contacts appeared on my computer. I had the same result as he had, his list of contacts had completely disappeared.
[/quote]and it did not work so there seems to be a problem for some people but not for others.
The contactlist is stored centraly. I have been logging on from different computers, different locations, even different countries and as soon as I connect to Skype, my contactlist downloads.
Try to log on to your Skype account from a totally different location. As soon as your contactlist is downloaded, export it -> Skype -> Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up contacts to file, copie to USB stick or CD and import again on your own computer.
Or, if you have a friend you trust, let him/her log on to your account on his/her computer to export the contacts.
Ike
Ike.
I think this has already been tried[quote]A friend in England had the same problem, so as the contacts are supposed to be stored centrally and you can log on anywhere in the world I logged in with his user name and password to see if his contacts appeared on my computer. I had the same result as he had, his list of contacts had completely disappeared.
[/quote]and it did not work so there seems to be a problem for some people but not for others.
I reported to Skype as a bug.
Ike
Ike
If even CBL sync didn't make the contact reappear then it means the new contact list has been already synced with the server. So logging in from a different location wouldn't fix this issue.
However I tried to reproduce this issue on my side and didn't succeed. It must depend on certain circumstances. I'll keep on testing.
However I tried to reproduce this issue on my side and didn't succeed. It must depend on certain circumstances. I'll keep on testing.
Out of interest I downloaded Free Internet Windows Washer Program. I then backed up my contacts list to Documents. I checked the Skype box in - Instant Messengers in "Windows Washer Settings" and chose "Wash Now".
I then logged on to Skype and my contacts had disappeared they had been washed from my computer. I logged on to Skype using another computer and still my contacts would not come back.
I had to restore my contact list from Documents to get them back. Surely if they are stored centrally they would have come back when I logged in especially when using another computer. I have backed all my contacts that I have managed to remember to Documents and Floppy disc as I no longer believe that they are being stored centrally.
I then logged on to Skype and my contacts had disappeared they had been washed from my computer. I logged on to Skype using another computer and still my contacts would not come back.
I had to restore my contact list from Documents to get them back. Surely if they are stored centrally they would have come back when I logged in especially when using another computer. I have backed all my contacts that I have managed to remember to Documents and Floppy disc as I no longer believe that they are being stored centrally.
herne67
I am sure you did you backup this way but you can do it from within Skype itself contacts........>advanced.............>backup contacts to file........>save in the location you want.
I am sure you did you backup this way but you can do it from within Skype itself contacts........>advanced.............>backup contacts to file........>save in the location you want.
I'm coming in here.
With a Mac running on the most recent OS and the latest Beta Skype for Mac but also running the pre Beta version on another computer.
I had already updated software, some time ago, with no effect on Skype or my contacts.
Yesterday I opened Skype and no contacts or credit shown on my Skype out account.
I re-entered some of the contacts manually, but they have to authorised by the recipient to sow up properly on the contact list.
The Skype out contacts, still haven't emerged from the "Central Location"
I checked my account on the Skype web site, and yes it is still in credit, but only after an hour did it show as such on my desktop.
I connected via the other computer, but after showing the original contacts, they suddenly disappeared to be replaced with the ones that I had just entered manually on the beta version.
The non beta computer was picking the contacts up from the Skype server perhaps, though the two computers are on the same network.
My thoughts are that the Skype sever went down losing mine and other users contact details.
Does that ring bells with anyone?
C
With a Mac running on the most recent OS and the latest Beta Skype for Mac but also running the pre Beta version on another computer.
I had already updated software, some time ago, with no effect on Skype or my contacts.
Yesterday I opened Skype and no contacts or credit shown on my Skype out account.
I re-entered some of the contacts manually, but they have to authorised by the recipient to sow up properly on the contact list.
The Skype out contacts, still haven't emerged from the "Central Location"
I checked my account on the Skype web site, and yes it is still in credit, but only after an hour did it show as such on my desktop.
I connected via the other computer, but after showing the original contacts, they suddenly disappeared to be replaced with the ones that I had just entered manually on the beta version.
The non beta computer was picking the contacts up from the Skype server perhaps, though the two computers are on the same network.
My thoughts are that the Skype sever went down losing mine and other users contact details.
Does that ring bells with anyone?
C
Skype have replied to my query (very promptly too) about the loss of my contact list.
Below is an excerpt from it.
"If you are already using your correct Skype account, we unfortunately cannot restore your contact list, since we do not have a history of the contacts you had on your Skype Contact list. To prevent a total loss of all your contacts in the future, I recommend that you make a backup of your contact list every now and then. You can do that from Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up Contacts to File... "
So I would recommend that everyone backs up their Contact List because if Skype do not have a history of my contact List it cannot be stored centrally can it???? Backing up your Contact list is very easy to do and I am sure that a lot more people would do it if they were not under the illusion that Skype keeps a backup centrally that they can fall back on if there is a glitch in their computer.
Mind you having said that, you could be right Cyclic and occasionally Skype can also have a glitch and lose contact lists. They are only human after all.
Below is an excerpt from it.
"If you are already using your correct Skype account, we unfortunately cannot restore your contact list, since we do not have a history of the contacts you had on your Skype Contact list. To prevent a total loss of all your contacts in the future, I recommend that you make a backup of your contact list every now and then. You can do that from Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up Contacts to File... "
So I would recommend that everyone backs up their Contact List because if Skype do not have a history of my contact List it cannot be stored centrally can it???? Backing up your Contact list is very easy to do and I am sure that a lot more people would do it if they were not under the illusion that Skype keeps a backup centrally that they can fall back on if there is a glitch in their computer.
Mind you having said that, you could be right Cyclic and occasionally Skype can also have a glitch and lose contact lists. They are only human after all.
[quote=herne67]Skype have replied to my query (very promptly too) about the loss of my contact list.
Below is an excerpt from it.
"If you are already using your correct Skype account, we unfortunately cannot restore your contact list, since we do not have a history of the contacts you had on your Skype Contact list. To prevent a total loss of all your contacts in the future, I recommend that you make a backup of your contact list every now and then. You can do that from Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up Contacts to File... "
So I would recommend that everyone backs up their Contact List because if Skype do not have a history of my contact List it cannot be stored centrally can it???? Backing up your Contact list is very easy to do and I am sure that a lot more people would do it if they were not under the illusion that Skype keeps a backup centrally that they can fall back on if there is a glitch in their computer.
Mind you having said that, you could be right Cyclic and occasionally Skype can also have a glitch and lose contact lists. They are only human after all.[/quote]
I think you misinterpreted what the Skype PR ment by history. Your current contact list, which you see at this moment in your contact list is stored centrally on the servers. The contact list is synced with the servers and when the loss of your contact list happend that too was synced with the servers. What you were thinking is basicly an archive of your contact list on the servers which indeed isn't stored. Just the current one, which is always overwritten by a newer one.
I am still trying to reproduce the exact steps to this error, but can't seem to find any bugs that would cause this. If you can give me more details please do so I'll be able to reproduce this bug.
Also a local back-up is recommended which should be either stored on a CD or a Flash drive. Also what you can do is a Skype-on-a-Flash version. It is basicly Skype running from a flash drive in removable mode. If you need more details on this feel free to contact me
Below is an excerpt from it.
"If you are already using your correct Skype account, we unfortunately cannot restore your contact list, since we do not have a history of the contacts you had on your Skype Contact list. To prevent a total loss of all your contacts in the future, I recommend that you make a backup of your contact list every now and then. You can do that from Contacts -> Advanced -> Back up Contacts to File... "
So I would recommend that everyone backs up their Contact List because if Skype do not have a history of my contact List it cannot be stored centrally can it???? Backing up your Contact list is very easy to do and I am sure that a lot more people would do it if they were not under the illusion that Skype keeps a backup centrally that they can fall back on if there is a glitch in their computer.
Mind you having said that, you could be right Cyclic and occasionally Skype can also have a glitch and lose contact lists. They are only human after all.
[/quote]
I think you misinterpreted what the Skype PR ment by history. Your current contact list, which you see at this moment in your contact list is stored centrally on the servers. The contact list is synced with the servers and when the loss of your contact list happend that too was synced with the servers. What you were thinking is basicly an archive of your contact list on the servers which indeed isn't stored. Just the current one, which is always overwritten by a newer one.
I am still trying to reproduce the exact steps to this error, but can't seem to find any bugs that would cause this. If you can give me more details please do so I'll be able to reproduce this bug.
Also a local back-up is recommended which should be either stored on a CD or a Flash drive. Also what you can do is a Skype-on-a-Flash version. It is basicly Skype running from a flash drive in removable mode. If you need more details on this feel free to contact me
I have been watching this thread because I have changed to a new machine this week. I took the precaution of archiving my contact list to floppy disk. Sure enough, when I downloaded the programme to the new machine, my user name and address correctly appeared, but no contact list. I inserted the floppy, and clicked on import, and the list reappeared.
So it has not really been a problem
So it has not really been a problem
Unless I've missed it in the search, Mac users don't get the option to save contacts anywhere.
I can "Send" contacts, but if I do that from the one computer that still has them, I guess that that contact list will be updated, or Synced to the servers record, and so I will lose them in favour of what is now on the server.
'Not impressed' of East Cheam..
I can "Send" contacts, but if I do that from the one computer that still has them, I guess that that contact list will be updated, or Synced to the servers record, and so I will lose them in favour of what is now on the server.
'Not impressed' of East Cheam..
If I misunderstood Skype Volt Nines why is that the fresh contact list disappeared when I used Windows Washer? They should have had the fresh contact list on the Site if what you say is correct.
Use the free Windows Washer Program checking Skype in Programs before washing and you will see your contact lists disappear. It will not matter how many times you sign in they will not come back until you restore them from a backed up file.
Could you explain why if my contacts are washed from my computer I cannot sign in with my usual User name and password and the Centrally saved contact list doesn't come into play?
As I have stated before there are too many instances of Contacts being lost for them to be stored centrally safely.
Use the free Windows Washer Program checking Skype in Programs before washing and you will see your contact lists disappear. It will not matter how many times you sign in they will not come back until you restore them from a backed up file.
Could you explain why if my contacts are washed from my computer I cannot sign in with my usual User name and password and the Centrally saved contact list doesn't come into play?
As I have stated before there are too many instances of Contacts being lost for them to be stored centrally safely.
As I understand it I think this is how the Contacts storage thing it supposed to work.
1) You login and all your contacts a synced with the central server at some time during you on line session with Skype.
2) You add a new contact and that then gets added to the central server when there is a sync.
3) You delete a person and that then get deleted when there is a sync.
4) There is a glitch on the central server at the same time it does an update with you contacts list and see that you have deleted 1 contact but for some reason due to either this glitch or bug it see it as you have deleted ALL your contacts, therefore without you knowing it deletes ALL you contacts form the central server.
5) You shut your PC down for the night not knowing that 4 above has happened and when you start up again all your contacts are deleted from your PC because it is synced with the central server and that is telling Skype on your PC that you have NO contacts because of this glitch/bug as in 4 above.
6) If you have the problem in 5 above and reinstall your contacts from a external file they are then sent to the central server and you now have all you contacts on the server as well as you PC because the server has read this input by you as having added now contacts when in fact they are old one’s but it does not know this because there were not present on the central server.
As far as I can see I think this is how the sync with the server works and how there is a possibility that your contacts have been deleted because of this glitch/bug, if I am wrong perhaps somebody from Skype will come back a inform us.
1) You login and all your contacts a synced with the central server at some time during you on line session with Skype.
2) You add a new contact and that then gets added to the central server when there is a sync.
3) You delete a person and that then get deleted when there is a sync.
4) There is a glitch on the central server at the same time it does an update with you contacts list and see that you have deleted 1 contact but for some reason due to either this glitch or bug it see it as you have deleted ALL your contacts, therefore without you knowing it deletes ALL you contacts form the central server.
5) You shut your PC down for the night not knowing that 4 above has happened and when you start up again all your contacts are deleted from your PC because it is synced with the central server and that is telling Skype on your PC that you have NO contacts because of this glitch/bug as in 4 above.
6) If you have the problem in 5 above and reinstall your contacts from a external file they are then sent to the central server and you now have all you contacts on the server as well as you PC because the server has read this input by you as having added now contacts when in fact they are old one’s but it does not know this because there were not present on the central server.
As far as I can see I think this is how the sync with the server works and how there is a possibility that your contacts have been deleted because of this glitch/bug, if I am wrong perhaps somebody from Skype will come back a inform us.
Thank you Rocketman for that explanation. I would think that you have it correct. I think if everyone backed up their contacts to disc or Usb just in case there is a glitch with Skype (which can happen to any program) there would be no problem.
I have certainly learned from the experience and have no worries now, because I have my contacts list backed up.
I would add that I think Skype is a great Program and what is few glitches between friends?
I have certainly learned from the experience and have no worries now, because I have my contacts list backed up.
I would add that I think Skype is a great Program and what is few glitches between friends?
herne67
You are welcome but please note I did say I think this is how it work and untill we get confirmation from Skype themselves it is only a guess on my part, but hopefully a pretty good guess
You are welcome but please note I did say I think this is how it work and untill we get confirmation from Skype themselves it is only a guess on my part, but hopefully a pretty good guess
Hi there,
Just want to report that your coincidence matchs mine. My contacts have been removed from all my machines. I got it while starting Skype in my new machine (Vista installed, intel core 2 Quad) with version 2.5, while i am running 3.2.0.148, on all the rest of my machines.
Best regards !
Hi,
Not sure if this is coincidence or not but I installed my copy of the Windows Vista Beta this weekend on a spare physical drive in my main PC. I also installed Skype. I noticed that none of my contacts were listed. When I tried my laptop running XP I noticed that they had gone from there also. So something has happened to delete them from my account. I am using 2.5.0.113 on all my machines. Is this familiar to anyone?
Just want to report that your coincidence matchs mine. My contacts have been removed from all my machines. I got it while starting Skype in my new machine (Vista installed, intel core 2 Quad) with version 2.5, while i am running 3.2.0.148, on all the rest of my machines.
Best regards !
QUOTE(scpitkin @ Mon Jul 10 2006, 22:55) [snapback]272869[/snapback]
Hi,
Not sure if this is coincidence or not but I installed my copy of the Windows Vista Beta this weekend on a spare physical drive in my main PC. I also installed Skype. I noticed that none of my contacts were listed. When I tried my laptop running XP I noticed that they had gone from there also. So something has happened to delete them from my account. I am using 2.5.0.113 on all my machines. Is this familiar to anyone?
Mine have disappeared as well 
After reading all the posts I'm wondering if it's tied to installing a brand new version of Skype on a new machine.
My guess is the server is reading a blank list on a later date and deleting everything to match the blank list rather than keeping the information in a vault and allowing the client to make all adds, deletes or corrections. If this is the case, having the address list saved on the Skype servers is a total waste of space because it isn't persistent.
I've submitted a support request.
After reading all the posts I'm wondering if it's tied to installing a brand new version of Skype on a new machine. My guess is the server is reading a blank list on a later date and deleting everything to match the blank list rather than keeping the information in a vault and allowing the client to make all adds, deletes or corrections. If this is the case, having the address list saved on the Skype servers is a total waste of space because it isn't persistent.
I've submitted a support request.
Is that what you have done, installed a new Skype version on a new machine? If so, do you know what the old version of Skype you were running was?
I don't know if you ever got your contacts back, but I had the exact same problem. It occured in version 3.6.0.244 when I deleted the history and found it deleted my contacts. I sent a ticket to Skype about the major malfunction (waiting for an answer). ALL the suggestions in this forum are useless as they DON'T work. Except for mine fix.
I checked for sure that it was a flaw, because I checked my other computer and my contacts were there, until I deleted my history.
I fixed it by adding the contacts (again) searching their email addresses.
I checked for sure that it was a flaw, because I checked my other computer and my contacts were there, until I deleted my history.
I fixed it by adding the contacts (again) searching their email addresses.
The same problem!
After installing the newest version of skype (older one was better) I realized that there are no "send contact" functionality. So I returned to 3.1 version and boom!- no more contacts not here, not on other computer, not with newer version.
After installing the newest version of skype (older one was better) I realized that there are no "send contact" functionality. So I returned to 3.1 version and boom!- no more contacts not here, not on other computer, not with newer version.
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