How to install Skype on Debian Lenny
by krisrowland
The easiest way to install Skype (as of this moment) in Debian Lenny is to use the Skype repository. Simply add this line to the end of your /etc/apt/sources.list file:
deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-free
Then update the repository database for apt with apt-get update.
Skype, and all dependencies can then be installed with apt-get install skype.
There are other ways to do this, but the repository seems to work at the moment, so use it.
kRow.bLog 
[…] The easiest way to install Skype (as of this moment) in Debian Lenny is to use the Skype repository. Simply add this line to the end of your /etc/apt/sources.list file: Read the rest here […]
Does this work for AMD64 as well?
Hi Victor,
I can’t say I’ve tested it for 64-bit. Provided the Skype Lenny repository has a compiled 64-bit package, I can’t see why not.
I am running AMD 64 and get the following replay when doing a reload in Synaptic.
“Could not download all repository indexes
“The repository may no longer be available or could not be contacted because of network problems. If available an older version of the failed index will be used. Otherwise the repository will be ignored. Check your network connection and ensure the repository address in the preferences is correct.
Victor and Jerry,
I’m not running a 64-bit system at the moment, so I can’t test these ideas out for you, but I think they should work. From what I can tell, you have at least 2 options:
1) Force the install of the 32-bit version. Download the .deb file directly from Skype. Install ia32-libs and ia32-libs-gtk. I think those libraries are only available in the Sid repositories… can’t help you there. If you can’t figure out how to install them, try Google. Once installed, you can then force the installation of 32-bit programs. To install the downloaded Skype .deb package: sudo dpkg -i –force-architecture the-downloaded-Skype-package.deb. There have been issues with this technique, though. Not sure if it’ll work for you guys if you’re also using Lenny. e.g. Kingdon’s comment in the above link.
2) Possibly more promising. Download the statically compiled version of Skype (or the static OSS version if required). You can then unpack the .tar.bz file to a decent folder and run it from there. More info here: http://www.crazysquirrel.com/computing/debian/applications/skype-on-debian-amd64.jspx.
Good luck. As always, try Googling some more. Often the hint you need is buried deep. Of course, it could also be that Lenny can’t support 64-bit Skype yet, too.
Cheers,
Kris
Anyone still having problems, you have to install some additional packages you can run:
sudo aptitude install libqt4-(insert dep error here) libqt4-network libqtcore4 libqtgui4
Anyhow the idea is to resolve the libqt4 dependencies manually, then it should run on Lenny _amd64, so anything listed as “missing” you can just add manually.
For the AMD64 this should work specially for newbies who r used to interact with GUI more often, just type http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-static in a browser and save it.Then switch user and log in as root. Go to the location n copy it in /opt. Right click n extract all of it there. Rename the folder to Skype if u want. Right click n then properties n permissions. Allow read n right to the group ” others ” n check the check box “allow executing file as program”. just close it n get out of there immediatly ( just kiddin :-). Logout n log back in as you! then browse to /opt/skype. You’ll find two files with the name of skype.Through properties, copy the one witch is executable n has a weight! of 26 mb or so. then paste it neatly on your desktop. of course on your computer’s display’s desktop. Double click n it should work.