I have a Belkin WiFi router and XP Pro on my laptop. I am having real problems when trying to make calls on skype. After a few minutes the call goes silent and then drops. I tried a suggestion of stopping the windows zero configuration service but that simply means I loose connection altogether after a few minutes.

Any suggetions please?
Last edited by technoflare : 14-04-2006 at 21:19

Yes, try it with a cable to the router and seeing if you get the same problems first so you can rule that out for certain.

Well, my other PC that is connected to the router works fine and the laptop is okay connected to my office network by wire.

Make sure your signal is strong and change the channel it's using (as the router shares frequencies with allsorts of things like video senders and the like).

If that doesn't work, the cheapest option to try first is a new network card. It's either that or a new router. Probably not the thing you want to hear, but Belkin's products are aimed very much at the budget market and won't give as good a performance as, say, Linksys products who are a division of Cisco.

If it does end up being your router at fault, you may want to consider a more solid solution like obtaining a VOIP router (I use a Linksys WRT-54GP which I've replaced my landline with as it's reliable enough for me with a mobile as a backup). You'd also need to have a 'proper' VOIP service like Sipgate or Vonage, I know this isn't what everyone thinks but I've always thought Skype is like playing with VOIP until you're ready for a proper service.

Or Netgear, 3Com or SMC - all of whom have a heritage in networking hardware - not like box-shifting Belkin, who have a history of marking up mainly mediocre products to sell in PCWorld to the unsuspecting.


Can't say I disagree - Skype is the sandpit for kids to learn in really, when you grow up you go and join the open-standards big boys.

How about this one:

http://www.usr.com/products/networki...es&sku=USR5461

it has a USB print server that would be very handy for my home network....

USRobotics okay? better than Belkin?

USR are better than Belkin but really their heyday was back with analogue modems.

If you want proper VOIP, try this -

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop...ProductID=2225

That solves the problem of receiving and making calls, although as mentioned you'll have to dump Skype for a service like Sipgate - with Skype you're still only playing at VOIP, Sipgate offers it properly.

I use Skype over a wireless network and the headset I use is also wireless (Plantronics C60). I've really never had a problem ever, whether it's skype to skype or calling abroad using skype-out. So I don't think the wireless part is an issue.

Gees i've just checked out Sipgate... don't know how good they are, never used it... but their prices are more than skype.

Calling a 0870 number with Skype is: 0.118 pence per minute (Sterling + VAT)
Sipgate charge 7.51 p/per min.

Skype calls to a UK mobile are 0.14 or 0.16p per minute.
Sipgate are 9.90p per minute.

Well... Skype has never let me down, for those prices Sipgate better be great.

Thank you for your suggestions. I do not use VIOP enough right now to require this. My Belkin router could become an access point for a enet phone and the USRobitics does seem quite good. The print server would be very handy however. I like Skype and use the webcam feature a lot too. Not for the big boys but suits my needs.

Don't worry about it dude... it's just ego I reckon. If people want to pay more then let 'em.

Nothing to do with ego my friend... how much do you pay for Skype In? All of a sudden I'm feeling better...

I think you're getting confused there (or possibly missed the word "competitive" out) - SkypeOut rates (listed at http://www.skype.com/products/skypeo...=GBP#listing-U ) are given in Pounds.... GBP0.118 is 11.8p (not 0.118p)

Sipgate's rates aren't desperately clever - hence why one can and does use other providers for outbound - like VOIPbuster, VOIPcheap, SIPdiscount or any one or more chosen from a hatful of others (open system, not restricted to one monopoly provider like on Skype)

edit: LMFAO @ the SkypeOut rate for 0845

John's given me a giggle at least

I needed an iron lung after I read the SkypeOut for 0845

I don't use skype in...

You carry on feeling better.. as I said:

-----------
Calling a 0870 number with Skype is: 0.118 pence per minute (Sterling + VAT)
Sipgate charge 7.51 p/per min.

Skype calls to a UK mobile are 0.14 or 0.16p per minute.
Sipgate are 9.90p per minute.
------------

0.16p per minute versus 9.9p???

Yeah, makes you feel REAL good

Skype to UK mobile are not 0.14 or 0.16p per minute they are 16.6p per minute. You are however correct Sipgate charge 9.9p per minute cheaper than Skype Hype by 6.7p/min

Skype to 0870 are not 0.118p/min but 11.8p/min. However you are correct Sipgate are 7.51p/min, which is 4.29p/min cheaper than Skype hype.

Yeah, Skype hype makes you feel real good when you are paying more than a proper VoIP service!

Who looks stupid now. LOL Feel good now?

Never have I been so amazed someone doesn't READ THE WEBSITE properly!!!

This is a part copy-and-paste from http://www.skype.com/products/skypeo...=GBP#listing-U.

United Kingdom-Shared Cost-0870 GBP 0.103 GBP 0.118
United Kingdom - Mobile - Others GBP 0.144 GBP 0.166

(First column without VAT, second column with).

So with VAT it costs you on 0870 GBP 0.118. In other words £0.118.

I'll put it into proper reason just so you quite clearly understand. Nought pounds before the decimal point. 118 after the decimal point. That to you and me is 11.8 pence. The same on Sipgate is 7.51 pence.

So yes, I do feel REAL good (Particularly as JasonW tried to point out you was wrong on your prices in post 13 and you didn't even notice as you was probably trying too hard to defend Skype)

I take it John's now abandoned this thread?

Perhaps he can no longer afford the price of his calls to mobiles

Getting back on topic I cured the problem with a new USR router/modem and a MAXg wireless card, now rock solid!

Not using a perfectly good router / wireless adapter just because a (imo) rubbish proprietary "VOIP" (if you can call it that) service doesn't work?

A proper VOIP service with wired ATA/phone would have been rock solid from the start, would be clearer, cheaper, doesn't need a PC to be on to operate, etc.

I still don't know why people PAY skype for overpriced calls when other SIP providers are far cheaper. I use skype for calling one person (PC2PC) who won't switch to a decent service. I hate having to use headphones/mic when otherwise I can use a phone.