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Skype Blames Crash on Windows

Millions of updates, reboots fried VOIP service, company says

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 20, 2007 12:49 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Skype's mysterious failure last week was caused by a routine Windows update, the company says. Millions of users downloaded the new software, rebooted their computers, and tried to log into Skype at the same time, crashing the net phone service, PC World reports. It's still unclear why previous Windows updates didn't do the same thing, however.

Skype isn't blaming Microsoft and says the problem, which somehow defeated the network's self-healing feature, won't happen again. Analysts say the company needs to make sure service interruptions don't become routine. "They'll get away with this one or maybe even twice but if it becomes a succession of events, then people will say it's not for me," says one.

Skype is used in conjunction with webcam technology at this exhibition.
Skype is used in conjunction with webcam technology at this exhibition.   (KRT Photos)
Skype is a popular choice for low-cost international communication.
Skype is a popular choice for low-cost international communication.   (Getty Images (by Event))
Briefly speculated to be the work of Russian hackers, the Skype network went down yesterday after simultaneous log-in from millions of users who had just rebooted due to a Windows restart.
Briefly speculated to be the work of Russian hackers, the Skype network went down yesterday after simultaneous log-in from millions of users who had just rebooted due to a Windows restart.   (Shutterstock.com)
Niklas Zennstrom, a co-founder of Skype and Joost, heads to lunch at the annual Allen and Co.'s media conference Thursday, July 12, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Niklas Zennstrom, a co-founder of Skype and Joost, heads to lunch at the annual Allen and Co.'s media conference Thursday, July 12, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)   (Associated Press)
Janus Friis, co-founder of Skype and Joost, breaks for lunch during the annual Allen and Co.'s media conference Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Janus Friis, co-founder of Skype and Joost, breaks for lunch during the annual Allen and Co.'s media conference Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)   (Associated Press)
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Related Links

Skype's explanation
Skype

"One can wonder whether the issue with Skype is not larger than what their blog post says"
Lunch Over IP

"Yikes. Sounds like a house of cards scenario"
Message

"Patch Tuesday" apparently led to the Thursday meltdown
Ars Technica

 
Internet • Microsoft • VoIP • Windows • communication • Skype • Internet phone

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