Skype crash on application launch (Skype bug: executes sysenter in non-VT-x/AMD-V mode)

[gaurdro]

Skype running in a windows xp guest crashes shortly after opening the window that prompts you to create an account on the first run. My host OS is ubuntu 8.04.

[pralix]

I have the exact same issue

[Kevin Kaland]

I have this issue as well. I disabled both the virus scanner and firewall stuff, but Skype is still crashing upon starting. I am using Windows XP SP3 on VirtualBox 1.6.2. My networking is bridged. I have not tried with NAT yet, nor am I 100% sure of the exact failure condition - but it happens after the application is open for less than 10 seconds.

Kevin

[Kevin Kaland]

Just to add that I use Ubuntu 8.04 as the host as well, so the problem seems to match.

Replying to kkaland:

I have this issue as well. I disabled both the virus scanner and firewall stuff, but Skype is still crashing upon starting. I am using Windows XP SP3 on VirtualBox 1.6.2. My networking is bridged. I have not tried with NAT yet, nor am I 100% sure of the exact failure condition - but it happens after the application is open for less than 10 seconds.

Kevin

[Gregg Sporar]

I am seeing this problem as well. I am using VirtualBox 1.6.2 to run Windows Vista as a guest on two different host operating systems: Ubuntu 8.04 and OpenSolaris 2008.05. In both host environments, the Skype application crashes after about a minute of successfully running a chat (instant messaging) session. I am using version 3.8 of the Skype Windows application.

[Kevin Kaland]

Liaising with the Wine team might help, as Skype also crashes on Wine. Note that 3.8.0.115 does NOT crash, and I'm running it successfully on VirtualBox. Haven't tried that one on Wine, but anyway this bug report is not about that. Just thought to bring that up.

Kevin

[Gregg Sporar]

Just to clarify - I am using Skype 3.8.0.139 and have the virtual machine's network configured as PCnet-FAST III (NAT).

[Kevin Kaland]

I can add that I also experienced this on NAT as well, when I tried that.

[Andy]

I'm also having the same problem. I'm using NAT, Ubuntu Hardy Heron host OS, Windows XP SP2 guest OS, NAT networking. Any ideas?

[Andy]

Skype 3.8 was crashing, but Skype 3.5.0.229 seems to be working Ok. I found it ​here. It did blue-screen my system when I started it up the first time while it was trying to connect (don't ask me why...), but now it seems to be working quite happily. I'll post back if I have any more problems.

[Jeremy]

Skype 4.0Beta similarly crashes, on WinXP in Vbox, on a Ubuntu 8.04 host.

[sean]

I also have this problem. I am using guest XP servicepack 3 on Ubuntu Hardy host. Skype version 3.8.0.139

VirtualBox Graphical User Interface version 1.5.6_OSE, open source

Is everyone using XP Service pack 3 ?? Has anyone had this problem with an earlier service pack? Has anyone tried this on a hardware system with windows XP sp3 ? (rather than a VirtualBox VM)?

[gaurdro]

mine was sp2 and it did the same thing so i installed sp3 with no change in results. on hardware it works with sp2 and sp3 (I dual boot) The problem occurs with both the open source and the closed source version.

[alinon]

Having the exact same issue here as well. Running Ubuntu 8.04 as host and Windows XP Pro SP3 as guest. I hope this gets resolved soon!

[Frank Mehnert]

Please check if activating VT-x/AMD-V for that VM helps.

[alinon]

Yeah I actually have that enabled already. To resolve the problem I ended up downloading 3.5.0.229 which resolved the issue. I just hope it doesn't get to the point where we can't use older versions of Skype. Obviously if that happens we will be hosed.

Thanks for you quick reply frank.

[Frank Mehnert]

Please make sure that this setting is enabled. Check the VBox.log file for HWACCM: lines or attach the VBox.log file to this defect.

[Gregg Sporar]

I tried again just now with the VT-x/AMD/-V option turned on. Same result: Skype crashes. These are the HWACCM lines from VBox.log:

00:00:03.768 HWACCM: No VMX or SVM CPU extension found. Reason VERR_VMX_MSR_LOCKED_OR_DISABLED 00:00:03.768 HWACCM: VMX MSR_IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL=1

Just to reiterate: this is with 1.6.2 on OpenSolaris 2008.05, trying to run Skype in a Vista guest

[sean]

hi guys,

Just tried the VT-x/AMD option... no difference. Actually, here I am trying this on a different host machine... The problem exists here as well, with a slight difference (than in my previous post). On my other machine skype just seems to disappear. On this machine, I get a windows exception dialog. If no one else gets this dialog (and the extra information it may/may not provide) let me know, and I can post the details.

[Frank Mehnert]

gsporar, check your BIOS settings. It appears that either your system has no support for VT-x or AMD-V or the corresponding BIOS setting is disabled (once disabled it cannot be enabled until the next reboot).

svaens, please check your VBox.log output as well. An output like seen from gsporar means that hardware-assisted virtualization could not be enabled.

[sean]

Hi all,

Frank, you are right. I also had the same result as gsporar, in that the extension was not found error is seen in the logs, and therefore was not able to make a difference. This is now tested on both my (dell) machines.

00:00:17.616 Guest Additions information report: additionsVersion = 0x00010004 osType = 0x00033000

00:00:17.723 HWACCM: No VMX or SVM CPU extension found. Reason VERR_VMX_NO_VMX 00:00:17.723 HWACCM: VMX MSR_IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL=0

[sean]

actually.. what am I saying. I have one dell precision M790, and the other is a Toshiba satellite pro 2140 (i think). Both running Ubuntu Hardy.

[Gregg Sporar]

Unfortunately, Sony does not support VT-x by default on my VAIO laptop. :-/ There is a workaround (​http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=189228), but it looks pretty ugly, so I don't have time to experiment with it right now. Sorry.

[Jeremy]

For me, VT-x seems to fix the issue. I'm running guest XP SP3 on a Ubuntu Hardy host on a Lenovo T60 with an Intel Core Duo processor. I have Skype 3.8.0.139, the most recent build, and it works fine. I haven't actually made a call because none of my friends are on, but the application doesn't crash immediately like it did before I activated VT-x. If anyone wants a log or anything, post here, and I'll help ya.

[Gregg Sporar]

FYI, Skype 3.6.0.248 works for me. It burns up quite a bit of CPU time even when Skype is idle, but it works.

[basix]

I have the same issue. I'm running Debian Lenny on the host while the guest is Windows XP SP2. A similar issue exists on a Vista host. Though the program doesn't crash immediately, it crashes once we make a call.

I am running this on an old Dell 510m laptop. Its a Pentium-M processor so no VT extensions. How do I solve it?

[basix]

Replying to basix:

Windows XP SP2. A similar issue exists on a Vista host. Though the program doesn't

Sorry, meant Vista guest.

I'm running VirtualBox 1.6.2 ( latest Debian Sid snapshot )

[lzap]

Crashes too here. VB 1.6.2, CPU enhancements enabled, hosting on Windows XP SP3.

[shnuber]

3.5.0.229 saved the day. I'm running Windows XP SP3 in VB under Ubuntu 8.04. Anyone needing it, you can find it at ​http://skype.brothersoft.com/skype3.5.0.229

[gservat]

Crashes here as well. VB 1.6.4 on Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy) and Windows XP SP2 as guest. I've already enabled VT-x to no avail.

I've tried Skype Beta 4.0 and Skype 3.8. Both crash soon after starting up. Any fixes on this?

I thought it might be because of the webcam, but I've tried unplugging it and starting up Skype and I get the same result.

Also, somewhat related to this, has anyone noticed their webcam working reaaaally slowly on VB? I'm must be getting like 2 FPS or something. Real slow!

[pentagonik]

I took a quick look at Skype running in a VBox VM. Indeed it crashes after 10-15 seconds automatically.

The executable (Skype.exe) is calling a system service, which is a routine in the operating system, generally exported by the Executive, and is not part of the Skype executable. It's crashing at SYSENTER. Maybe it has something to do with the access of some system addresses from user space. For this some special CPU instructions are needed.

[rhY]

Just wanted to confirm this problem..... I am running Hardy x64, the latest skype....

For those touting the skype native in Linux, well, it works very poorly. Skype in fact works worse in every os besides standard 32 bit Windows.

Having it work perfectly in vbox, with the USB 2.0 pass through to my Logitech sphere would be great.

[Max Baldwin]

Replying to svaens:

Is everyone using XP Service pack 3 ?? Has anyone had this problem with an earlier service pack? Has anyone tried this on a hardware system with windows XP sp3 ? (rather than a VirtualBox VM)?

I'm using SP2, Virtualbox on an Ubuntu 8.04 host. And it wants to play dirty with me too. Does anyone have any guesses as to what this may be caused by/ how to fix?

[Rajan Patel]

You need to run an older version of Skype. ​http://download.oldversion.com/skype300205.exe

That is the best version with gaming support, and 64-bit vista support, without the bloatware.

[gservat]

Thanks FOBioPatel for the suggestion. I tried installing skype300205.exe and, while it didn't crash initially, I couldn't get it to connect. It would keep "Connecting" forever even though the Virtual Machine *has* full internet access. It eventually crashed so I tried again, same result.

Any word from Sun on this? I, for one, would be really pleased to have Skype with my webcam working in VirtualBox!

[Rajan Patel]

I would urge you to disable the XP firewall and try again. You should also try and get older and older versions of Skype 3 from oldversion.com and see which works best for you. Remember to completely uninstall all previous instances of skype, or this WILL FAIL.

If you're only looking to get Skype running for webcam support, Skype 2 has been ported over to Linux already. ​http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/choose/

I run 64-bit Ubuntu and have Skype 2 with webcam support natively installed. ​http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=432295

I only use Skype 3 in a Virtualbox XP for Easybits chinese checkers.

[rhY]

I am unable to get my webcam to work at all in vbox. It's a Logitech Orbit AF. I think the drivers require directx or something. At any rate, I wish I could get it working well as the Linux version of Skype is pretty crap.

[Rajan Patel]

You have a Logitech Orbit AF, which has phenomenal Linux support. ​http://www.quickcamteam.net/hcl/linux/logitech-webcams

Are you unable to have video enabled Skype conversations in the Skype for Linux? I know we're deviating away from the immediate issue: virtualbox + Orbit AF in XP... but just getting that information out there.

If you're using Ubuntu, it should 'just work'.

[gservat]

FOBioPatel: I'm aware that Skype has been ported to Linux, however, I'm using Kubuntu Intrepid (which I realize is in beta) and it comes with something called gspca for the webcam driver. I'm not sure if I understood correctly, but a lot of applications (like Skype) still depend on v4l1 while we are now on v4l2. There are many patches being released for different applications that switch to v4l2, however, Skype is not one of them. I tried using the LD_PRELOAD hack that a lot of pages speak of, and while it makes Skype see the webcam, it averages 3 fps. I'm not sure WHAT Windows does with the webcam, but the image looks better on Windows than Linux hence why I gave up on the Linux effort and I was hoping to run it under Windows (VirtualBox).

Anyway, back onto this topic. I did try installing version 3.8.0.115 which kkaland suggested doesn't crash and indeed, it doesn't seem to crash and I was able to connect and even use the webcam! I tried calling someone and even though Skype appears to be sending video, the remote end don't see it. I now have another issue which is the microphone not working, but that's a different problem altogether. Argh!!!

[Candido Tominaga]

I have same problem, VirtualBox 1.6 and 2.0.4 Too on Unbuntu 8.0.4

I run skype 3.x and 4 beta 2, crashed before login.

[Jeff]

Replying to kkaland: I had the same issue as most all of you. Running Ubuntu 8.10, VBOX 2.0 with XP PRO inside. Skype continued to crash after launching. Problem resolved after I removed Skype 3.8 and installed their Beta version from: ​http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/downloading/ Skype works perfectly.

Hope this helps

[felixcorrales]

I have Ubuntu 8.10 and virtualbox 2.0.4. I installed the skype version 4.0 beta 2 (windows xp sp2), and skype continued crashing.

[Jeenu V]

I'm running Windows XP SP3 on Virtual box 2.1.0 over Ubuntu 8.10. I just downloaded the latest Skype version and that too crashes!

[tlRMfj]

I had the same problem, but after check "Enable VT-x/AMD-V", it works!

[Denis]

VB 2.1.4, SUSE 11.0 as host, WIN SP2, SP3 as guests. In both skype crashes too. Unfortunately, VT-x/AMD-V is grayed (inaccessible) at all for my laptop ASUS X59SL (and there no such settings in BIOS). Skype 3.5.0.229 seems to work well, but its GUI... not comfortable (no conference tab). So, waiting for the solution!

[irbull]

I've also experienced this problem. The "Enable VT-x/AMD-V" doesn't appear to work for me. When I enabled 3D acceleration I found I could run a little longer before the crash.

[Vaughan Chandler]

I was getting this problem with Skype 4.0.0.224 and VirtualBox 2.1.4 (not VirtualBox OSE) but IT IS NOT CRASHING for me anymore.

I used the time before Skype would crash to get to the options dialog and I disabled everything on the following tabs:

• Notifications > Sounds (mute all sounds)
  
• Advanced > Advanced Settings

I then restarted Skype and it did not crash. I was able to call the echo123 test number - I heard the Skype recording fine but the message I recorded was broken up. This might just be due to heavy network traffic where I am now, so I'm not bothering to test further.

Interestingly I have since re-enabled all the options I disabled and restarted Skype and I am still not getting crashes (it has been running with me logged in for over 1/2 hour).

Other (possibly) relevant stuff

• Host OS: Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)
  
• Guest OS: Windows XP SP2 (with firewall disabled)
  
• VT-x/AMD-V: Disabled
  
• Network: PCnetFAST III (NAT)
  
• Audio: PulseAudio / ICH AC97

[Vaughan Chandler]

Changing the Audio setting to ALSA / ICH AC97 seems to have improved the audio recording in Skype.

[Brendan Grieve]

I run a VM farm with different VM software. Interestingly the exact same problem occurs with Skype running with KVM 0.84. I havn't tried plain qemu yet or kqemu. It makes me curious as to what the hell Skype is doing.

[pratapns]

Same is with my virtual Box where Host is Kubuntu and I am running windows XP Sp2. Tried following but no success ...

"I used the time before Skype would crash to get to the options dialog and I disabled everything on the following tabs:

• Notifications > Sounds (mute all sounds)
• Advanced > Advanced Settings"

[Issotyo P.B.S]

Even worst with skype 4.1 and Linux Ubuntu Host. Skype causing linux host to restart immediately after connected.

Configuration:

• KUbuntu Jaunty 64bit (Host)
• Windows XP sp 2 (Guest)
• VirtualBox 3.0.0 and 3.0.2
• Skype 4.0.27 and 4.1.0.141

Confirmed by other user too: ​http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=19712

[leandro kersting]

hi. same is with my virtual box 3.0.2.

configuration: ubuntu jaunty 32bit(host) and windows xp sp3 (guest) and skype 4.1.0.141.

the crash and restart my host. always.

ok.thanks guys.

[sHiZo]

Same with Gentoo here.

Host: Gentoo-2.6.30 Guest: Windows XP SP3 Skype 4.1

Restarts the Host upon Login of Skype

[mosteo]

Same with

Host: Arch Linux x86 as of 2009.07.29

[Issotyo P.B.S]

Tested using vbox 3.04, host isn't restart. Skype still crash.

[Frank Mehnert]

issotoyo, please could you attach a VBox.log file of such a VM session where you try to start Skype?

[Issotyo P.B.S]

vbox304isso

[Issotyo P.B.S]

Replying to frank:

issotoyo, please could you attach a VBox.log file of such a VM session where you try to start Skype?

My name is Issotyo, you've extra "o" there :) Here the log you asked, and as added information, skype seems crash just before showing contact status(showing listed user online or not).

[Frank Mehnert]

issotyo, sorry for the misspelling and thanks for the log file.

[Dimitri]

Any progress update on this? Has anyone found a workaround to allow Skype 4.1 to run in VirtualBox? Perhaps a work-in-progress patched revision of virtualbox with this fixed that we can try so long? Checking this thread daily, as I need this functionality pretty urgently. Thanks & regards

[Joseph Chen]

An old version Skype-3.5.0.229 works well for me. (Debian-5, with Virtualbox-3.0 + windows xp sp2)

[Carl]

Same issue here, Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope, virtualbox-ose 2.1.4 with a Windows XP Professional guest, attempting to run Skype 4.0.0.141. No matter what I do, including nothing, Skype crashes within about 10 seconds of being started.

I can't use an earlier version or the obsolete Linux client because my company uses Skype for screen sharing, only available in version 4.

What can fragtion and I do to move the fixing process forward, since we definitely do need VB to support Skype?

[sean]

Prompted by carif, I checked out Virtual Box 3 (latest as of 28th August 2009) with skype 3.5.0.229, with Window XP Service pack 2. (Should I try service pack 3 ?? )

Here are my results:

Skype installs, and instead of the usual crashing shortly after installation, it seems to work! Messaging works fine. Trying the phone calls, and I don't get very far. It might be some sort of performance issue though with my setup. Though i've got a nice new snassy sony vaio, with a processor that should be fast enough... skype just runs like a dog. Enough so that the sound comes out all garbled when I test the call.

[Brendan Grieve]

Just for comparison (for svaens)

I ended up running Skype V2 for Linux within a KVM VM (which also has Skype Windows issues). It works fine, transfers sounds fine. I use it as a call-conference hub (we all call it, and it auto conferences us), and we've had 6 people connected without sound issues (the vm itself also produces sound as its also an AI bot, just a bit of fun).

Feel free to call 'lsf.chmmr', and then text chat to it. The AI speech responses are not garbled at all (apart from normal text-to-speech artifacts)

[Carl]

I downloaded and installed Sun VirtualBox v3 (since there does not appear to be an OSE version as yet) and Skype ... crashes about 2 seconds after loading.

Any ideas?

[Dimitri]

I use it as a call-conference hub (we all call it, and it auto conferences us), and we've had 6 people connected without sound issues (the vm itself also produces sound as its also an AI bot, just a bit of fun).

Sorry for going off topic, but would you mind sharing how you manage that? I'm also running a continuous skype conference which is made easier with Skype v4.1 "join call" functionality, but how did you manage it with Skype v2? Are you using external API scripts? Where can I get hold of that? Thanks in advance!

[Brendan Grieve]

Off topic, sorry all. I couldn't figure how to send a PM (if thats even possible).

The code I wrote is open source (in python). Its wiki is: ​http://code.worldguard.com.au/public/wiki/Chmmrbot. The zip file on the website is a bit dated now, so make sure to pull the latest from the bzr tree. Any further discussion can take place in the discussion tab there so we don't pollute this list or email me on (brendan (at) worldguard.com.au). If you are looking for the version without AI (just the auto call conference), you may wish to check out one of the earlier versions from bzr. Works under both windows and Linux.

[test17test]

Host crash caused by Skype in Guest: Skype 4.1 on Guest WinXP crashes host for me too with host = Fedora 10: Virtualbox version: 3.0.0r49315:on 64bit AMD. Skype 4.1.

Whereas: Old Skype: 3.5.0.229 : on the guest, works OK and does not crash the Host or anything.

[Brendan Grieve]

Just a little bit more info. Reasonably comfortable in reversing, I thought I'd have a look at perhaps why Skype was causing this issue in many VM's. To my surprise, skype actively kills many debuggers, doing strange things like scrambling the registers and jumping to non-existent memory when detected (thus killing itself as well as your debugger). The entire binary is quite well encrypted with a whole host of anti-debugging traps on it.

I take my hat off to whoever did this, because its *really* good. As a side effect, I suspect however that these anti-hacking measures are probably the cause of the crashing in a VM since a VM will employ behavior similar to a debugger.

[sean]

No offense to all, but I can gladly say that I do not care anymore! The only reason I was looking to skype on a virtual windows, was as a potential solution to skype not working at all well on linux. However, I've learnt of (and tested) the latest beta version of skype (2.1) which uses pulse audio directly... and it is great. No more problems.

[Dr. Pierce Wong]

Found a walk around solution for windows XP sp3 Virtualbox 3.0 on Ubuntu Jaunty.

Go to the Skype folder in the guest XP machine and right click on the skype.exe Choose Compatibility Tab and Set it to Win2000.

Mine don't commit suiside after I did that.

[Dr. Pierce Wong]

oops pardon my typo *suicide

[Issotyo P.B.S]

Replying to comeez:

oops pardon my typo *suicide

Thanks Comeez! Your tips works for me.

Configuration: - KUbuntu Jaunty 64bit (Host) - Windows XP sp2 (Guest) - VirtualBox 3.0.8 - Skype 4.1.0.166

Skype is up and running normally instead of crash, though processor usage is very high in the start. Let see if it survive ... :D

[Dimitri]

I also found that Skype doesn't crash when running Windows 7 as the Guest OS!

[Issotyo P.B.S]

Replying to issotyo:

Skype is up and running normally instead of crash, though processor usage is very high in the start. Let see if it survive ... :D

OK, here's my experience using comeez trick:

• Skype up and running from 9:29am - 4:38pm
• chat works
• screen sharing works
• processor usage about 5%, skypepm.exe sometimes spike at 80%(last 3 - 5 sec)

Not tested yet:

• Voice and video call, but I think video call works.

[iriki]

Windows 7 RTM Enterprise Host and Windows XP SP3 guest, skype is crashing on the guest (3.0.12), skype was crashing after the login screen, however comeez's tip solved the problem, just set compatibility mode on Windows 2000 ;)

Many thanks!!

[Reiner]

Hi,

I searched several times for the crash problem with skype and found only that it would have something todo with skype killing applications which try to debug it.

Today I "accidently" found this ticket and the tip from comeez is working perfectly.

Since many people could fix skype with this hint, it would be great to put this solution in your FAQ or a central place where it's easy to find for other people, too? And thanks for the tip ;)

[karelhenk]

On Windows XP with Skype version 4.2.0.1690 running in Windows 2000 compatibilty mode works just fine for me too.

[michaln]

For reference - as mentioned by pentagonik over two years ago, Skype tries to execute a sysenter instruction. In VirtualBox raw mode, the sysenter support is disabled and the sysenter support bit is turned off in the appropriate CPUID leaf.

Thus it is a bug in Skype that it tries to execute sysenter even when the CPU indicates that it does not support that instruction. If you want that fixed, report it to the makers of Skype, VirtualBox is behaving correctly (no sysenter support -> an attempt to execute sysenter must cause a fault).

With VT-x or AMD-V, sysenter is supported in VirtualBox and Skype doesn't crash.

[gaurdro]

Replying to michaln:

With VT-x or AMD-V, sysenter is supported in VirtualBox and Skype doesn't crash.

Then Why did this bug first occur, and continue to occur through several updates of Virtualbox with VT-x enabled on a processor that supports VT-x?

I haven't been following the bug closely, as I hadn't needed skype for some time, and there were others that had the issue, and were following the bug.

In any case, it seems newer versions are working.

[oracle]

Hi all, I am new to this over here. And I am using VB the first time. My system Opensuse 11.3 and the latest VB. I also installed XP sp2 and sp3; on both skype is crashing. I doesnt matter if either Skype 4 or the latest. If you ignore the skype message-box and move it to any place, you can use Skype also. Tonight I will try comeez tip.

[aeichner]

Please reopen if still relevant with a recent VirtualBox release.