Skype on a Stick, cheap-easy global communications

This is incredibly helpful and should be of use to many people. It needs to stay active so that those with the technical capability to follow the instructions can find and use it. That's why I am topping this--even though I have no technical savvy whatsoever. I'm also bookmarking it just in case I ever do figure out how to do this marvelous thing. Thanks, dave.

It really isn't hard. All I did was combine the normal Skype program that loads onto your computer with what is called a "batch" file. The batch file just tells Skype what to do when it starts.

Copy the contents of the zip file to a USB drive. Just remember when you want to start Skype click on the StartSkype.bat file and not the Skype program. That tells Skype that it isn't actually installed on the computer but is using some removable media as its source.

I did this because it is often difficult to either find an internet cafe with Skype or they won't let you install a program on their computer. This bypasses that.

dave

It's even easier when you have the Skype app on your I-phone..no PC needed

I agree, this is for those who don't have something like that and don't carry a laptop with them. As an example, when my daughter was in Paris she carried this around with her and a small headset. If she was in an internet cafe or using the computers at the hostel, she could call anyone she wanted for almost nothing, without any hassles.

I saw your suggestion in that thread about the lost credit cards, and I was wondering about the details of Skype. Thanks for posting this.

If I'm interested in a DIY version, how can I do that?

I mean, are there options in Skype that tell it where it should save the data? For example, if an internet cafe has Skype installed already, can I carry a flash drive and have the data saved onto my flash drive?

Or can I can carry a flash drive with Skype on it, open it and then through pull-down menus tell Skype to save data on the flash drive and not the PC itself?

I know that you've done the work already, but I'm just interested in the details. I could download your files and check the bat, but well, you know.... Thanks!

Actually the other thing that's not quite related, I've always wondered about this. In Skype, under "Skype name" you key in your ID. Afterwards the program always retains that ID in the pulldown menu. Not that the ID is useful without a password, but in a public PC, it'd be nice to get rid of the ID anyway.

Is there a way to clear that?

In Windows IE, you can clear the cache and forms and get rid of all info stored, but I'm not sure how to do this for Skype. I'm wondering if there's an option that's within the Skype program itself.

daveesl-Great information! Thank you.

We live in an era of miracles. Doubt that? Skype is but one example. We keep in touch with family and friends at next-to-nothing cost -- from America to Europe to New Zealand. The pictures are excellent and so is the sound. We are definitely NOT techies. Why people refuse to latch on to the marvel of Skype defies explanation.

This is how you make your own portable skype product...

Download Skype from the regular site (skype.com) and install it on your own computer. If you look under the Program Files area, you will see the Skype folder. Inside this you will see the Skype.exe program. Normally, skype saves its data, if you want it to, to where it was installed.

To create your own version of "Skype on a stick", make a folder on your Flashdrive and name it, something like Skype is convenient. Inside that folder, make another folder and name it "data". Copy your Skype.exe file from the Program Files/Skype folder.

Open up your Notepad program, usually it is under the Start Menu/Accessories area. You need Notepad, as it saves in a standard ASCII format. Type in the following...

skype.exe /datapath:"data" /removable

This is the script for the batch file. A batch file is just a list of commands for a computer. It says to start Skype (skype.exe), it tells skype where to store data ( /datapath:"data") and that this is connected to removable media and not installed ( /removable)

Now, save the file to the USB drive in the Skype folder. When you save it you MUST type in a "bat" extension on the file name. So, instead of saving the text as .txt you will type in something like StartSkype.bat

Remember, you must add the ".bat" extension to the file name. That tells windows that it can use this file to do things, like starting skype.

You are now ready to go.

Normally, Skype does not allow you to save information in places other than where it is installed. That batch file changes it. Also, you do not have to save your info at any time. In fact, I would advise to not save it when you log in. But Skype needs to know where it is supposed to save stuff if necessary. That is the purpose of the batch file. Skype thinks it is actually installed on the computer, but it isn't.

All I did was just create a single file that does all of that stuff in one package.

Have fun,

dave

Very helpful information.Thanks.
Bookmarking

If you do the "do it yourself" version and don't want to use my zip file, be certain to save both the Skype.exe and the batch file in the main folder. The "data" folder must be below the program file and batch file for this to work.

Oh, and if anyone is wondering why don't you just 'install' skype on the flash drive, that is because the flash drive identifier on your computer may not be the same as on someone elses. As an example, I have 4 hard drives and 4 DVD drives on this computer, plus a card reader. My first USB drive is called "O:", yours might be "D:".

Also, it still needs to be told that the program location is on removable media and not on the hard drive.

Would this work for the new tiny netbooks that don't have a very big HD?

It should work on anything that can use the Windows version of Skype and allows a USB to be plugged in. Remember, you aren't installing anything on a hard drive. Everything is on the USB, that is why it will work even in Internet Cafes that don't have skype or will not allow it to be installed.

I don't see why it wouldn't work for netbooks. You don't need the HD to run Skype, presumably.

This is interesting, thanks! Is there an FAQ for this sort of thing or did you just figure this out?

Out of curiosity I checked the Skype application in my PC and I think the .exe is in C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone. But I don't see a "Data" folder anywhere near there. I guess the default installation must be different.

It's interesting you can customize Skype this way -- I guess my question now is how people are supposed to know this. If there's an FAQ or documentation, it'd be great to get it! Thanks!

They aren't supposed to know it. It started back around 2005, when Skype started working with companies to sell portable versions, like the WiFi phones. Some folks began to figure out that once skype added the "removable media" area, then it no longer had to be installed on a computer to run.

I am not the person or group that came up with this concept, I've just been using it for several years and it works well. I think I originally posted this in Fodors about 2 years ago, and just now updated it due to several posts about communications.

And to 111op's comment, you are right, the new version of Skype puts the executable in the phone folder, but it doesn't matter.

As to the data folder, skype now saves your data to the profiles area of AppData. The batch files tells it to save it to the data folder and not on the host computer.

Ah, the power of resurrecting a good but sinking thread. So glad this got the attention it deserved.

ttt

daveesl thanks for the info

thank you so much for sharing this..... I just got back from europe and my beloveds sure did not like not being able to talk and be connected. I will plan to use this in the future.

My netbook comes with Skype already loaded up in it. One could just take the netbook to a coffee shop with free internet or, my hotel had free wireless internet and be set. The skype on a stick expands the possiblities for those without a laptop or netbook who have to use internet cafes.

I'll top this, as more questions have arisen about using Skype.

How large of a flash drive is needed in order to store all of the skype knowledge "away from the hard drive?"

This is just the info I was hoping to find this morning. THANK YOU!


So, the download price of $35ish dollars is paid only once, Right??

The Skype software itself is free. Where do you see the $35?

If you want a Skype-in (is this what it's called) account, then you pay extra? There are also flat monthly fees for doing a bunch of things (for example you can arrange for call forwarding, etc.).

Otherwise you can always PAYG as necessary. I think each time you add $ to your account, you need to add at least $10.

The Skype folder on my hard disk takes up 27 MB.

There should be some download reqs on the Skype website.

Looks like any flash drive (say 2 GB or above) should be more than adequate.

There is no charge for the Skype software. As I have said in previous posts, the zip file I make available is nothing more than the normal skype program, a data folder and a small batch file that tells skype how to start up.

As to how big of a drive you need, very small works. Unless you are saving pictures, the amount of info saved is minor. I have some old 64 mb flashdrives laying around that I put it on. The actual program and other stuff is about 30 meg in size.

If you want to be able to call out to telephones, then you need Skype-Out, which is a pay-as-you-go plan. Create your skype account, deposit like $10 or $20 and you are ready to go. If you want people to be able to call you from phones, then you need Skype-In, which gives you a phone number. That cost is something like $40 or so per year. It isn't necessary.

Hi Dave, have followed your instructions however cannot get the startskype.bat to work. DOS opens for a milisecond and then closes again, and nothing happens.
I can open Skype using the Skype.exe file however as you have explained this is maybe not ideal when at a internet cafe or other 'foreign' computer. Thanks, Veva

Are you using Vista or XP?

You may need to tell your computer to allow a command window to appear. I've tried it on both Vista and XP and it worked fine, but then I don't have any security controls on these as they are in my home.

I'll try to replicate your problem, but I need to know which Operating System you are using.

bumping
great info thanks for sharing

Well done Dave, thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

Be sure to also check out the VonageTalk thread I started, but only use it if you are already a Vonage customer.

Although I took my laptop to Italy in 2007, it died (came back to life after a few days - whew!). In the meantime, I had fortunately installed on a USB flash drive something called "portable apps" - a bunch of programs like Firefox and Skype that can run on any PC with a USB 2.0 connector (nowadays that's just about any PC; in 2007 there were still a few ancient PCs in the internet cafes that had the very old/slow USB 1.1 ports - probably not a problem anymore). I also had my travel documents on the USB drive - so I really was able to get by at internet cafes for a few days without the laptop.

Anyway, portable apps are great for browsing the web with your existing bookmarks, using Skype with your own login, etc. And it's MUCH more secure (in my view) to run Firefox from a USB flash drive than from some generic PC at an internet cafe, because a dozen other people that day have been using the same Firefox. Yes, you can erase your history...but how do you really know? If you use Firefox and Skype off the flash drive, your history is stored THERE, not on the PC at the internet cafe.

More info here:

http://portableapps.com/apps

For whatever reason, Skype is NOT included there (probably because it's proprietary), but the instructions above in this thread can be used to add it to the portable apps you would install on the USB drive - that's what I did. Or just google for "portable skype."

bookmarking. Thanks Dave!

Yeah, Skype isn't normally a "portable" app. That is why the batch file is written and we create the Data folder. The reason why is because they want to sell you their own version of this on a little USB drive, with a headset hookup (which often doesn't work).

Just remember, you must have the batch file detailing how to save the data and that skype is running on a "removable" media. If you don't want to use my zip file, I also gave directions above on how to write your own batch file.

dave

Thanks davees!, am saving this for future reference. Sorry if I missed this, but does one use Skype everywhere or just for international calls?

You can use Skype as a free IM facility (like MSN or Yahoo Messenger) or to make local or international calls (which you would have to pay a small fee for).

By the way, didn't I read somewhere that there's a possibility that Skype may go away? I think E-Bay sold it but there's some lawsuit with the founders?

No, it isn't going away, EBay is getting ready to do an IPO on it, bringing it public. I'm not exactly sure that I'd be jumping on that bandwagon, see Vonage. BUT...Skype does claim to have several hundred million members and I'm sure a fair number do what I do.