My friend also had the HHCNTRL.DCX conflict startup message and I followed the instructions on the MS support site. Also found and installed the audio driver on the Acer-Euro support site. Skype worked fine before I fixed the startup problem.

Current status:
1) Startup error message is gone.
2) No sound input from the headset - output sound is fine.
3) Very high noise level.
4) The sound control panel does not react when I talk.

Acer Aspire 3651LCi, Windows XP

(PS. I'm not a PC user.)

After I sent my help request, I downloaded and installed the audio driver for Acer Aspire 3650 again.

Now Skype works again.

All right I'll mark this post as Resolved then.

Edit: Ok I can't seem to do that yet. I'll see about getting it done though.