skype 2 on ubuntu 8.04

Sounds like it might be just a graphics driver issue.
I've got Skype running fine (with icons visible) with a Logitech camera.

I'm using the nvidia-glx-new driver now because with the nvidia-glx all my windows had their title-bars missing.

Are you using Skype from Ubuntu repositories or latest version direct from Skype.
Perhaps try the other?

I have installed the driver you suggest, but the icons remain invisible. As there are other drivers already installed, how can we be sure Skype is choosing nvidia-glx-new? Skype is from the Ubuntu repository.

Go to menus
System, Admin, Hardware Drivers
Is it ticked?
This all presumes that you actually have an nvidia chip graphics card?
Skype will use whatever graphics driver you have installed.

no driver is shown. Have searched to find which drivers are installed and have not come to any clear idea what is there. How can I find out? Then perhaps we can work from there to discover why the icons disappear as soon as I move the mouse over them.

Ok, try this.
Go to Applications, Add/Remove, System Tools, scroll down to "Nvidia"
Which of the three nvidia drivers are ticked?

Any idea what model your graphics card is?
If it is a Geforce2, then go for legacy, if it is very recent then go for "new", otherwise pick the "Nvidia binary X.Org driver"

Also worth installing this through a terminal window...

sudo apt-get install nvidia-settings

And then try

sudo nvidia-settings

to configure your graphics setup

Thanks for these responses. In response to the previous emails: as far as I can tell the graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon X1400.

Doh! Not an nvidia at all.
Go to Applications, Add/Remove, System Tools, scroll down to "ATI binary X.Org driver"
Is it ticked?

Also looks like you need to run..

sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-generic restricted-manager

Then try running
sudo restricted-manager

More useful stuff if not already installed

sudo apt-get xorg-driver-fglrx fglrx-control

ATI binaryX.Org driver is ticked.

For terminal command, this is the response:

john@dell:~$ sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-generic restricted-manager
[sudo] password for john:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
linux-restricted-modules-generic is already the newest version.
linux-restricted-modules-generic set to manually installed.
Package restricted-manager is a virtual package provided by:
  jockey-gtk 0.3.3-0ubuntu8
You should explicitly select one to install.
E: Package restricted-manager has no installation candidate

Ok, you've got the latest ATI drivers so try this to see if there are any options on the card that might fix your vanishing icons...

sudo fglrx-control

By the way, have you get all the latest updates?

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

sudo apt-get xorg-driver-fglrx fglrx-control in terminal gives Invalid operation xorg-driver-fglrx.

Oops

sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx fglrx-control

then

sudo fglrx-control

sudo fglrx-control in terminal gets fglrx-control: command not found

Previously reported issue.
Setup your machine to get Skype from Medibuntu instead.

http://www.uluga.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=795676

what I have installed is skype static, and this has no video function. Which is not exactly the solution I was seeking.

Is it version 2.0.0.68 from medibuntu?
If so, that sounds like the right one. "Static" means the Qt libraries are included in the install which appears to be where the bug is.

As I understand it, this should also support video.
Can you open Skype and go to the Options.
Under Video Devices there's a checkbox for "Enable Skype Video"

The version is 1.3.0.53 and not as you mention above. Perhaps I followed the wrong procedure. There is no video in 1.3. Are you able to guide me to get versions 2.0, please?

You need to ensure that you have the medibuntu repository setup correctly

Under System, Administration, Software Sources, Third-Party Software

look for
http://packages.medibuntu.org/ hardy free non-free

If that is there then you should be able to download and install Skype from medibuntu using Synaptic

gksu /usr/sbin/synaptic

Search for "skype" and you should see the static 2.0.0.68 version

It has been a long haul, with much patience and persistence involved.
Have at last installed the static version, and everything, including all
the buttons are fully visible and functional. Thank you very much
indeed, Tony. I am well pleased.

The attentiveness given is very impressive. This service is excellent. Thanks again.