--- Original Message ---
From: Brendan
Received: 10.04.2008 5:13:17 GMT Standard Time (GMT - 0:00 )
To: support@skype.net
Subject: GQW: dropped connection after 5 seconds

Name: Brendan
Skype Name: *********
E-mail: brain_drane@hotmail.com
Topic: Promotions (Skype Unlimited, Vouchers, etc.)
Subtopic: Skype Unlimited (calls to US and Canada)
Subject: dropped connection after 5 seconds
Message:
I've been trying to call a friend in the USA using Skype unlimited on my macBook. I get through with a good, clear connection, but I lose it after exactly 5 seconds everytime. No more, no less. I've downloaded and updated but the result is still the same.
----------------------------------------
From: pstn-feedback@skype.net
To: brain_drane@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: GQW: dropped connection after 5 seconds <<#1418510-2020506#>>
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:33:39 +0000


Hello Brendan,

Thank you for contacting Skype Support

Please review the following steps . If necessary please contact your system administrator or ISP for assistance.

* Ideally, outgoing TCP and UDP connections to all ports (1..65535) should be opened. This option results in Skype working most reliably.
* Make sure your firewall/router is not blocking Skype in any way. Try opening TCP and UDP traffic both ways to the port in your Skype -> Preferences > Advanced - keep in mind UDP traffic's availability for Skype results in better sound quality than just data traversal over TCP. If you're not sure how to make such changes ask a tech-savvier friend or your system administrator for assistance.

If you are running Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), please go to System Preferences > Security > Firewall and make sure, that "Allow all incoming connections" is selected. Restart your Mac after doing this.

In case of a login failure after an upgrade you could also try to reset your Skype connection routing information by deleting shared.xml. The procedure is as follows:

1. Quit Skype
2. Go to the folder ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/
3. Delete the file "shared.xml"
4. Start Skype

If the above does not help, a reinstallation may also prove to be of assistance.

* Close Skype
* Open your Applications folder and drag your copy of Skype to the trash.
* Go to your_username/Library/Application Support and drag the Skype folder to the trash
* Go to your_username/Library/Preferences and drag com.skype.skype.plist to the trash
* Go to /Library/Preferences and drag com.skype.skype.plist to the trash
* Empty trash
* Restart your computer
* Install Skype again

The new version is available for download here: http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-macos

Best regards,

Mihkel P.
Skype Support

-----------------------------------------------

Thank you for your response to my e-mail. Unfortunately none of the advice you've provided applies to my particular problem.
I am not running behind a firewall. I am running Tiger, not Leopard. I have downloaded the newest version of Skype, and I am not having any sound quality issues. For the five seconds that my connection exists it is perfect. My problem is the brevity and regularity of it. I LOSE MY CONNECTION AFTER EXACTLY 5 SECONDS, EACH AND EVERY TIME. It seems as though Skype is trying to extract a connection fee from me, and, finding I have no available credit, is cutting me off at the 5 second mark before the connection fee comes into effect.
It shouldn't be doing that for 3 simple reasons:
1) I'm a Skype unlimited subscriber.
2) The phone I'm calling is in the USA.
3)I am in Canada.

The connection fee, (according to your web-site) does not apply in this case. I suspect you need to repair my account information to reflect this fact.

Thank you,
Brendan