Detailed walkthrough of setting up X-Lite softphone
to make perfectly CLEAR and FREE calls into TalkShoe

PLEASE NOTE - Several people have reported severe computer problems after installing X-Lite so WE NOW DO NOT RECOMMEND USING X-LITE AT ALL. 
Please go back to main page for current recommendation instead.

We do still use X-Lite because it records the show for us - but use it at your OWN RISK!!!

Please Read and Follow EVERY STEP carefully!
This is WELL WORTH THE EFFORT! (takes around 10-15 mins)

1. You will hear us and we will hear you VERY clearly
2. It's a completely free service from everywhere - no long-distance or international call charges

It's just like having a phone on your PC
(we are only going to set it up to call TalkShoe, though!)

**No Headset? - get one with "Noise Cancelling" microphone CLICK HERE for more info on what and where to buy

3 steps in this guide:

1. We will download and install X-Lite
   (if you are comfortable about installing, Click hereto go straight to the Download page
   and skip straight to the next step by clicking on Step 2)
2. Configure X-Lite to call TalkShoe
3. Call TalkShoe and enter Call Id: 12324# and your PIN to join the call
   

You will need the Username and Password you used to Sign Up to TalkShoe (click here),
as well as Headphones for listening and a Microphone or integrated Headset if you may want to talk too!
(NB Please don't listen on loud speakers if you've got a microphone - it can cause an echo!)

1) So, first we download and install X-Lite:

Click here to go straight to the Download page at counterpath.com (opens new window)

In your new Window  choose the Windows or Mac link to download:

You may get this warning (or similar)(if not, skip two steps!), click Close: 

And then click the top bar and click Download File

Next Click on Run

Wait to finish downloading:

Confirm you want to Run

Now we go through a pretty standard install. Click Next:

Uncheck Launch on Windows Start (you will then start X-Lite manually before our show!)

If Windows Firewall brings up this warning, you must Unblock

(other Firewalls may have similar messsages, always Allow permanently or remember decision, etc, if the option is there)

When X-Lite asks this, click No

Now You should see X-Lite and maybe an upgrade question like this, click Yes:

Wait......

Confirm you want to install again

2) So, Now we are going to Set Up X-Lite:

A) X-Lite should now appear AGAIN - with the SIP Accounts window already OPEN

NOTE: If not, find and click on the Desktop Icon or the little Green Man in the bottom right Tray:

B) Click Add:

NOTE: If it doesn't look like above, you can open these SIP ACCOUNTS by clicking the top left button:

C) Now enter your TalkShoe Username 3 times, as shown, plus your Password
Also carefully add in the Domain 66.212.134.192 (periods/stops and no spaces)
And Uncheck the Register with Domain box
And click the small domain button

D) Now click the Topology Tab

E) Click Use Specific Server button

then carefully type into the box: stun.counterpath.net

F) Well done, almost there! Click OK

G) Check it looks like below and
ClickClose  (you'll never need to do that account setup again!)

H) Check that Ready comes up on the screen with your Username:

I) Now we want to Add one contact to call (ie TalkShoe)
click the small white arrow on the right to flip out the Contacts pane

J) Click on Contacts and then Add Contact

K) This bit is easy!

1) Simply enter TalkShoe as shown

2) enter 123 in the Softphone entry box

3) click OK

L) FINALLY - ESSENTIAL!

WE WILL SETUP YOUR AUDIO OPTIONS...
We have to make sure that X-lite knows which audio input and output device you are using.

IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY AUDIO PROBLEMS COME BACK TO THESE AUDIO DEVICE OPTIONS!

First - Open X-Lite's Options...

Then Click on Devices (bottom left Icon)

And 1st UNCHECK both Use auto gain control (AGC) boxes
(this helps STOP people being picked up as talking when they are silent!)

Now, lets. make SURE we have the right Audio Devices Selected
Note: these will probably be right by default
but X-Lite can CHANGE them later without telling you
- so ALWAYS come back and check these if you get any audio problems :-)

Simply make sure the correct Speakers and Microphone are Selecetd in both sections:

If you're not sure and want to check the options,
use the dropdown arrows at the right side to view
the available options (you can always experiment with them!):

Press OK and you're DONE - WooHoooo!

Congratulations!

3) So, Now we are going to Make a Call with X-Lite:

You're now ready to make a call to TalkShoe, just as if you were calling from a normal landline.

1) Make sure your Headset/Headphones are plugged in
   NB Please don't use speakers and microphone as teh feedback tends to cause an echo!
   also, a headset with a noise cancelling microphone is a good idea, like this one from Amazon UK >>>>>>>

2) DOUBLE CLICK the (smaller) TalkShoe entry in the Contacts pane

3) You might be surprised at how QUICKLY TalkShoe answers with "Welcome to TalkShoe"

 

You will be asked to enter the Call Id Followed by the Pound (#) key
(Note that you can enter numbers by clicking on the X-Lite keypad, or by typing on your keyboard)

To check this is working you can call in to any current Live show you can find on the front page of TalkShoe.com
Click on a Live show to find its Call Id and you can enter that.

You can call in up to 15 mins before the scheduled start time (and any time during it)
with the Call Id:
12324# for Leela's Spirit Talk Radio,
28598# for John's MetaTalk Cafe,  

Then you wil be asked to enter your PIN number and # 
(usually suggested by TalkShoe as the last 10 digits of your phone number)

Now, note that sometimes it is hard to get the PIN recognised over X-Lite, so do try a few times if need be, and if that fails,
you can always use the Guest PIN instead, which is simply 1#

You will then be on the call!

You should be able to hear us
- and be aware that we should be able to hear you too!

If you don't want to be heard, just press *6 to mute yourself, and *6 again to unmute yourself when you're ready to talk

If you wish to make a contribution and it's difficult to butt in, or we have had to mute everyone, you can request to speak by pressing *8 - we will see it on our screen and invite you to talk as soon as we can!

When you're done you can press the Red hang up button (see above)

Finally, if it doesn't work -

PLEASE NOTE - Several people have reported severe computer problems after installing X-Lite so WE NOW DO NOT RECOMMEND USING X-LITE AT ALL. 
Please go back to main page for current recommendation instead.

We do still use X-Lite because it records the show for us - but use it at your OWN RISK!!!

A)  PROBLEMS WITH AUDIO - NOT hearing or being heard AT ALL or TOO QUIET
   It's EITHER:
     - X-Lite choosing the wrong Audio Devices (X-Lite may reconfigure them automatically - go back to the X-Lite  - Devices - Audio Options and check you have the right Speaker and Microphone devices selected (described above) - click here to be reminded
   OR:
   - check that your System Volume Control/Audio Mixer settings are correct

B)  We get background noise coming in while you are NOT talking and have to Mute you
It's EITHER:
     - You haven't taken off X-Lite's AGC (Auto Gain Control) settings - untick the two boxes in Options / Devices
   OR:
   - there's background noise around you - use a headset with Noise Cancellation!

C) Poor Quality of sound or connection:
It's EITHER Your computer:
     - Check AGAIN that NO OTHER programs are using the internet or hogging your computer
shut down programs like Skype, any upload/download programs, peer-2-peer, torrents, ftp, video downloads
   OR another sharing your Internet Connection:
Check that any other computers are NOT using the internet while you are on the show! Again, such as: Skype, any upload/download programs, peer-2-peer, torrents, ftp, video downloads (youTube etc)

D) if your Keypad Buttons on X-Lite don't work
     - just close X-Lite and restart it, as follows:

     Use the Menu button: