Silencer Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I wrote a simple and understandable guide targeted to those novice users who are still learning the concept of Torrenting. :) The original guide is from my blog post. Torrenting is becoming a common task in today’s ever changing world especially with more and more users wanting to download the latest movies, music, games and software. However, average or novice users are still having a hard time in operating torrents. Here’s a simple guide which covers most of the basics in torrenting. The bit torrent software I use for this guide is uTorrent, my personal favorite and personally the best on the market! It’s light weight, fast and doesn’t take up much resources unlike other torrent clients. What is Torrenting? Torrenting is a peer-to-peer sharing protocol which became popular back in 2002. Torrenting allows users to download and share data with each other with the use of a web server. The user’s connection and hardware will be used to distribute and download the desired file. 1. Download the LLVLord TCP/IP Patch Windows XP began limiting the number of internet and network connections to 10. Thus, you would need to download this patch (its safe and virus free) and apply it to your Windows XP operating system. Use the LLVLord patch to change the limit to around 50, however, not more than 100. Note: Install this patch every time you update your XP operating system as some patches tend to revert to the default setting of 10. Simply apply the patch. Once the patch is done installing, please restart the computer in order for the settings to take affect. 2. Download uTorrent Install the latest version of uTorrent. I’m currently using uTorrent 1.8.1 for this guide. 3. Speed Test Before running uTorrent go to Speedtest and check the speed of your current internet connection. This is an important step as you would have to configure your uTorrent client to the right settings. Once the website loads the map will automatically select a location as the recommended test server – a golden star will be the recommended server. In this case, my recommended server is located in the Philippines, Makati. Click it and leave it for a minute or two to figure out the speed of your current connection. Note: During the speed test make sure you’re internet activity is to a minimum in order to get the best results. 4. Setting a Port Firewall Settings uTorrent will randomly choose a port number for both your TCP and UDP connections. For instance, uTorrent choose a port number of 12300 for my uTorrent client. If you happen to have a firewall installed such as Zone Alarm or even the Windows XP Firewall make sure you put an exception to 12300 for both TCP and UDP. Router Settings If you have a router installed make sure you forward the port (in my case 12300). Portforward explains how to easily forward port on every type of router available on the market. Moreover, if you router has the ability to automatically port forward via UPnP port mapping then enable it. You wouldn’t need to waste your time in manually forwarding the port. Finally test the port with uTorrent’s “Test Port” feature. 5. uTorrent Preferences Speed Guide Finally load up uTorrent and go to the Speed Guide Window (Options > Speed Guide). Select the right connection. In my case mine is set at: xxx/512k (xxx meaning unlimited download speed while 512K is the upload rate). Connection Go to Options > Preferences and select Connection in the sidebar. Make sure you have these settings below: Bandwidth My settings will differ as compared to your connection’s settings. You should leave these settings on default. However, the only thing you need to worry about here is the Global Upload Rate which should be set to 60% of your current upload rate. I set mine at 30KB/s as it roughly at the 60% mark of my maximum upload rate of 70KB/s Queuing You can leave these settings on default, however, it’s better to leave only 1 active download running. That’s just my preference. ;-) Advanced Since we changed the number of connections to 50 with the LLVLord patch we would need to set the same value in uTorrent. Scroll down and look for net.max_halfopen and set the value to 50 and click set General Settings Finally, click General and make sure you “associate .torrent files” to uTorrent. If you followed all these steps then you’re ready to join the torrent bandwagon and enjoy a few pre-released software or watch the latest movies. The above guide was extracted from one of my posts on my blog. Here's the original one with a typical example on adding a torrent. I couldn't post the example here as I'll be linking to a torrent website. Check out the original guide here. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_was_here Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Very nice guide. BTW for the example you could've used linuxtracker.org. Theyre just linux torrents (legal). Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591060852 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted May 31, 2009 Author Share Posted May 31, 2009 Very nice guide. BTW for the example you could've used linuxtracker.org. Theyre just linux torrents (legal). Thanks for the kind words! :) And thanks for the link to LinuxTracker too. ;) I never heard of the site before. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591060860 Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwolfe Veteran Posted May 31, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 31, 2009 Yeah, those pesky legal torrents. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062094 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Facebook Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 1. Download the LLVLord TCP/IP Patch Windows XP began limiting the number of internet and network connections to 10. Thus, you would need to download this patch (its safe and virus free) and apply it to your Windows XP operating system. Use the LLVLord patch to change the limit to around 50, however, not more than 100. Note: Install this patch every time you update your XP operating system as some patches tend to revert to the default setting of 10. Simply apply the patch. Awesome dude, I always wanted "HackTool" on my PC! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062130 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperKid Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 AVG always detects legit tools like that, its classed as a hack tool becuase its modifying a system file to put the limit up. and it does say potentially unwanted program. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062140 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted May 31, 2009 Author Share Posted May 31, 2009 Awesome dude, I always wanted "HackTool" on my PC! Thats a wrong detection as like what superkid said it modifies a system file ;) Don't worry it's not a virus. I used AntiVir nothing came up. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062156 Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vivicidal- Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I had no idea such a limit existed in XP. Does it exist in Vista, because I've never changed it? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062172 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted May 31, 2009 Author Share Posted May 31, 2009 I had no idea such a limit existed in XP. Does it exist in Vista, because I've never changed it? Looks like there is still. Check out this article: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/04/09/w...-event-id-4226/ Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062220 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grex Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Definitely still in Vista. Anybody know about Win 7? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062238 Share on other sites More sharing options...
brentaal Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Definitely still in Vista. Anybody know about Win 7? Vista SP2 and Win7 don't have the TCP maximum half-open connection limit. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062266 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Wizard Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Nice guide, thanks for the Patch as well, changed mine so hopefully i'll get even better speeds now :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591062276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Delta Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Vista and 7 have a totally new networking stack, it probably has other countermeasures included to prevent the need for the EVID 4226 block Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591063304 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+M2Ys4U Subscriber¹ Posted June 1, 2009 Subscriber¹ Share Posted June 1, 2009 (edited) XP only limits the number of half-open connection attempts. Patching the system file is not needed or, in fact, encouraged. You can still connect to as many peers as before. Edited June 1, 2009 by M2Ys4U Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591064274 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEX4S Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Awesome dude, I always wanted "HackTool" on my PC! Awesome Dude! I always wanted a POS A/V that couldnt pick up an actual threat better than my dog ! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591064290 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azusa Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 So do i need a patch in Vista? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591064312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldier1st Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 vista sp2 no longer has the limit but vista sp1 does. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591064482 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panacik Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 XP only limits the number of half-open connection attempts. Patching the system file is not needed or, in fact, encouraged. You can still connect to as many peers as before. Agreed. So do i need a patch in Vista? No, the patch is worthless. The maximum connections are fine, it only limits the ammount of connection attempts at one time. Also, i dont understand why the OP is making a big fuss about installing and configuring uTorrent as well as his router. I install utorent on machines and it works out of the box... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591065770 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silencer Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Agreed.No, the patch is worthless. The maximum connections are fine, it only limits the ammount of connection attempts at one time. Also, i dont understand why the OP is making a big fuss about installing and configuring uTorrent as well as his router. I install utorent on machines and it works out of the box... I'm not making a"fuss", however, I'm in fact "educating" how to optimize your uTorrent client in order to get faster downloads. ;) Anyhow, one reason why I made a "big fuss" is that some folks have a few ports blocked on their router thus they need to be opened. ;) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591066552 Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIVIsectVI Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I'm not making a"fuss", however, I'm in fact "educating" how to optimize your uTorrent client in order to get faster downloads. ;) Anyhow, one reason why I made a "big fuss" is that some folks have a few ports blocked on their router thus they need to be opened. ;) Educating with outdated and worthless information. Great job! (Y) Hope Budman sees this and tears you to pieces. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591066584 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panacik Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I'm not making a"fuss", however, I'm in fact "educating" how to optimize your uTorrent client in order to get faster downloads. ;) Anyhow, one reason why I made a "big fuss" is that some folks have a few ports blocked on their router thus they need to be opened. ;) Im sorry i seem to have offended you mate ;) ;) However ;) your edicating with old knowledge and knowledge that quite honestly is not going to make any difference to torrent download speeds ;) Period. ;) I have an 8meg line and can download at a maximum rate of, guess what... 8meg, when there are enough trackers. The "patch" you have posted about was discussed a while ago and decided that it was un-needed and really shouldnt be applied unless there was a real good reason to go changing such settings. Oh, and before i forget... ;) Educating with outdated and worthless information. Great job! (Y) Hope Budman sees this and tears you to pieces. Oh dear god, please dont let Budman see this! The sarcasm would be oozing! :rofl: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591066744 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted June 1, 2009 MVC Share Posted June 1, 2009 "1. Download the LLVLord TCP/IP Patch" Sorry but I did not get past step 1.. Since this is UTTER FUD (F'd UP Disinformation) plain and simple -- this so called "patch" has always been FUD from the get go. unlimited Half open connections do not make your downloads faster - PERIOD! From this step -- its quite clear you have no idea what the hell you talking about, so even reading the rest of your guide would be an utter waste of time. Here is good info on it -- anyone who bothered to do any real research on their own would of figured out the "patch" was nonsense from the get go. http://www.p2pforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=111&t=32557 TCP/IP.sys Half-open connection limit guide. They are HALF OPEN!! they are not doing anything for you speed, since they are not completed connections.. We have gone over this multiple times here.. You have no need to patch anything to get FULL SPEED out of your torrents. Here is a screen shot from an older thread, related to this -- As you can see within a few seconds you can get GREAT SPEEDS with utorrent -- no need for this so called "patch. I always saw the limit as a form of "Check Engine Light" - removing the limit only pulls out the light, it does not fix anything.. If for some reason you do run into the 10/sec limit -- ie your seeing 4226 event log entries. Then you have something wrong that you need to check on. Yes hitting the limit can slow down your browsing, etc. This is basically your Check Engine light coming on -- and you should look into why!!! Not patch it so you do not get the light. There is really no reason your machine should be making more than 10 HALF OPEN CONNECTIONS a second -- if it is you got something misconfigured, or your infected with something, etc. Shortly after MS put in this limit, the p2p apps put in place ways to limit the number of half-open, I do believe utorrent defaults to 8, but this can always be lowered with no effect on your speeds. If you have other applications running creating half open connections as well. BTW -- there is no rate limit on UDP, and DHT uses UDP, etc.. So if you feel you need to find more connections faster, then enable DHT. Hopefully this nonsense will all die out now anyway, since MS has decided to remove the "rate" limit in vista sp2 and w7. Why -- not sure, most likely there were tired of people not knowing any better breaking stuff trying fix what was not broken ;) And to be honest the rate limit would not really stop a worm from spreading - but what it would do is slow down the users computer if they hit the limit "check engine" so that hopefully the user would look into why their machine was not performing as it should.. But what happened is -- ah that light is on again, just pull the light - there that fixed it :rolleyes: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591066934 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panacik Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 "1. Download the LLVLord TCP/IP Patch"Sorry but I did not get past step 1.. Since this is UTTER FUD (F'd UP Disinformation) plain and simple -- this so called "patch" has always been FUD from the get go. unlimited Half open connections do not make your downloads faster - PERIOD! From this step -- its quite clear you have no idea what the hell you talking about, so even reading the rest of your guide would be an utter waste of time. Here is good info on it -- anyone who bothered to do any real research on their own would of figured out the "patch" was nonsense from the get go. http://www.p2pforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=111&t=32557 TCP/IP.sys Half-open connection limit guide. They are HALF OPEN!! they are not doing anything for you speed, since they are not completed connections.. We have gone over this multiple times here.. You have no need to patch anything to get FULL SPEED out of your torrents. Here is a screen shot from an older thread, related to this -- As you can see within a few seconds you can get GREAT SPEEDS with utorrent -- no need for this so called "patch. I always saw the limit as a form of "Check Engine Light" - removing the limit only pulls out the light, it does not fix anything.. If for some reason you do run into the 10/sec limit -- ie your seeing 4226 event log entries. Then you have something wrong that you need to check on. Yes hitting the limit can slow down your browsing, etc. This is basically your Check Engine light coming on -- and you should look into why!!! Not patch it so you do not get the light. There is really no reason your machine should be making more than 10 HALF OPEN CONNECTIONS a second -- if it is you got something misconfigured, or your infected with something, etc. Shortly after MS put in this limit, the p2p apps put in place ways to limit the number of half-open, I do believe utorrent defaults to 8, but this can always be lowered with no effect on your speeds. If you have other applications running creating half open connections as well. BTW -- there is no rate limit on UDP, and DHT uses UDP, etc.. So if you feel you need to find more connections faster, then enable DHT. Hopefully this nonsense will all die out now anyway, since MS has decided to remove the "rate" limit in vista sp2 and w7. Why -- not sure, most likely there were tired of people not knowing any better breaking stuff trying fix what was not broken ;) And to be honest the rate limit would not really stop a worm from spreading - but what it would do is slow down the users computer if they hit the limit "check engine" so that hopefully the user would look into why their machine was not performing as it should.. But what happened is -- ah that light is on again, just pull the light - there that fixed it :rolleyes: Thats it? Aww, i thought there would be more sarcasm in your post :( :rofl: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591066966 Share on other sites More sharing options...
venerator Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 A simple, yet informative guide. Just the way I like em'. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591066992 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted June 1, 2009 MVC Share Posted June 1, 2009 "Thats it? Aww, i thought there would be more sarcasm in your post sad.gif rofl.gif" hehehe -- sorry to disapoint, but my warning level is a bit high, so I have to play "extra" nice for awhile ;) hehehe Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/778498-a-guide-to-torrenting/#findComment-591067056 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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