HOWTO: Download and use a .torrent

While downloading something, Limewire is usually the main source. But then disaster strikes: what you are looking for is specific. The thing is, Limewire is filled with renamed files, sometimes sneakily named something useful and can result as a virus or porn, or just something completely different. Torrents solve this, as on the websites you download comments exists, which include virus scans and information.

Step ONE: The first step is to download a BitTorrent Client. These are programs which allow you to run the .torrent file and download the content. I use uTorrent, as it is one of the most used. Download and install the BitTorrent Client, you can either use my uTorrent Link or you can Google search for your own.

When you first run your BitTorrent Client, it will look something like this:

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Name: Name Of Torrent
#: Number
Size: The size of the file(s) in the .torrent.
Done: The percentage of which the download has completed.
Status: The current status of what you are doing.
Seeds: The number of seeders. Seeders are people who have downloaded 100% of the file and are uploading it.
Peers: The number of leechers. Leechers are people who have not yet completely downloaded the file and are downloading it.
Down speed: Your download speed.
Up speed: Your upload speed.
ETA: The estimated time of download completion.
Uploaded: The amount that you have uploaded.
Ratio: This is the File Size > Upload ratio.
Avail: The amount of the file which is available to download.
Label: You can label torrents for organization and/or easier searches.
Added On: When this torrent was added to the BitTorrent Client.

Step TWO: Next what we will do is find a torrent site. A google search will tell you one, as I am not allowed to directly post it. Once you are on your chosen site, look for a search box, and search what you require. Make sure to look out for the Seeders / Leechers number, as if a file only has 1 seeder and a few leechers your download rate will be catastrophic, reaching around a maximum of 0.5KB/s. This will result in basic downloads taking weeks. Once you have found a good file with enough seeders, download the .torrent file.

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Step THREE: Once you have downloaded the .torrent file, it will only be around 10 - 50KB. Alas, this is not the game/movie/application you searched for. What you must do now is double click on the file and this menu will open up in your BitTorrent Client:

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Select the files which you want to download, and click OK.

Step FOUR: The download should now begin. If it does not, right click > start. It will usually take about a minute for the download to actually begin, as it will find the trackers needed (you don't need to know about them, they come included with the torrent), and after that it will need to locate seeders and leechers. What it will say under the amount would be:

1 (2)

In this example, there is one seeder currently active, seeding you. The second is the amount of seeders not currently active. Once your client finds some seeders, the download will begin.

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Step FIVE: Once your download finishes, you will seed automatically. While you are not required to seed, I recommend you at least get your Ratio to 1.00, to give something back to other people that seeded for you.

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FAQ:

Q. Do I have to seed?
A. No, although giving something to other people who would like to download the file would be nice of you .

Q. My download time is a week!?
A. You just need more seeders. Try to find another, faster, torrent, or just wait it out.

Q. My download doesn't start!?
A. There are no available parts to download. Wait for another seeder / leecher to come online, or find another torrent.

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Please post contructive advice or post errors with this guide. Please don't post errors with your torrents!

Note: Most pictures are too large and would strech the page, as my display is 1280 x 800, and most people's are smaller, so I made the pictures links. This will probably be very annoying, opening all the pictures in windows or tabs, but I do apologize :'(

 

useful, cause alot of people do not know anything about torrents
but you could just post the pics and not give links to them

 

That'd strech the page, and I read that Pen said they should be no larger than 500 x 500, and if I resize they won't be readable.
Thanks btw

 

thats why you crop.

 

Nice guide, although I might post a disclaimer saying that most .torrent files are illegal. So that way they wont blame you if they get caught (Very unlikely).

 

Feel free to, thanks for the comment

 

yes man. all torrents are illegal and you will get fined. so be careful people.

 

This might be against rules because you're not supposed to post a guide on something illegal.. But It's a great guide. Thanks.

 

Not all torrents are illegal, although the majority are.

The useful ones contain information, eBooks, ect.

Not all torrents are illegal, and even if you use an illegal one, chances are they won't have a clue who you are. They have to go through a long process of seeing who the people are, and they usually only bother when it's something like child porn. Please know something about the thread before you post in it

 

when you dl the torrent file just open the file, not save it, easier that way... :/

 

hehe nice.. i am fairly familiar with torrents i use them all the time.. but nice for beginners and people who don't know about them 8.5/10

 

Nice Job vampz0r. Good idea with the picture link's, I may use that too .