Common Torrent problems

[Deadfire]

The following 3 posts detail just about every question that can come up with using torrents. Again it's not a be all answer guide, however it will help...alot. If you don't want to read it, I will not read your question.

These are a most common problems people have when downloading .torrent files.


1. If you have a client installed, but it's not associated with your .torrent files:
SYMPTOMS: You'll know you have this problem if you click the "Download Torrent" button (or "Download .torrent" link) But you:

• you get prompted by your browser to decide where to save the .torrent file.
• some other file-sharing application tries to handle the .torrent file.

* CAUSE: Sometimes sh*t happens.

* CURE: Save the torrent to your desktop, then from your desktop right-click the .torrent file. Select "Open With..." and even if your BT Client is on the list do NOT choose that. Instead select "Choose Program..." - you'll get a pop-up which will allow you to select your BT Client, but the critical step is to CHECK the "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" - then click OK. From now on when you click the "Download Torrent" button, your BT Client should start up automatically.


2. I can't get .torrent files to download.
SYMPTOMS: You'll know you have this problem if you click the "Download Torrent" button (or "Download .torrent" link) and:

• In Firefox, it sends you to a blank page.
• In IE, it sends you to the "This Page cannot be displayed" page.

* CAUSE: Some ISP's and many schools/residences block .torrent files from being downloaded (to reduce network traffic).

* POSSIBLE CURE: As of 07sep2006, you can get around this restriction by clicking the "Download .text" link instead of the "Download Torrent" button or the "Download .torrent" link. Save the file on your desktop, then rename the ".text" extension to ".torrent" - then just click the .torrent file and your BT Client should start right up.

Please note that school/work network administrators are quite familiar with BitTorrent technology, and have probably added additional levels of security (not just blocking the .torrent files). Trying to bypass their security will likely get you fined/expelled.


Common BitTorrent Error Messages - Explained

3. Bad Data from Tracker or Bad Tracker Data

This means the tracker is having problems. Either it is down and returning an error page, or is overloaded with requests. Simply leave your client on for a while and see if the problem resolves itself.

4. Connecting to peers

Maybe there are no users to connect to. Leave your torrent open and maybe the BT Client will connect (it may take some time).


5. Windows cannot find... "C:\Documents and Settings\{YOUR NAME HERE}\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.ie5.....

It is an error that can sometimes occur in Windows XP; either download the torrent to your Hard Drive and launch it from there.... or clear out your temp internet files. This will generally resolve the issue (XP starts compressing temporary internet files once it reaches certain number of files or 1/2 the allotted drive space and that's what causes the error).
Just let the torrent run in your client and the client will keep checking the tracker and should resume eventually.


6.No space left on device

The client allocates the space needed to store the file on your Hard Drive, you get this error when you don't have enough space on your hard drive for your BT Client to fully allocate the file.


7.Problem getting response info - {errno2} No such file or directory

The directory of C: // is probably causing your problems; it's most likely a temporary directory that Internet Explorer uses when you left click on the torrent file. Try right clicking on the .torrent and selecting "save target as" . Then save the .torrent file to a directory of your choice. Keep them all in a folder exclusively for your torrents and your life will be much easier. Then when you start your BT Client and you're ready to download the files you can navigate to that folder and double click on the .torrent file to start downloading in your BT Client.


8. (IOError - {Errno13} Permission denied)

Sometimes your BT Client is still running in the background from your last session, and if you start more than one instance of the client, it will try to download the same torrent twice, and it will give you permission denied, start-up Task Manager and close down all instances of your BT Client. Start your BT Client again and everything should work fine. Restarting your pc will also fix this.

9. Rejected by tracker - Your IP is not registered to use this tracker for this file

You have to register with the site that hosts this torrent and be logged in when you first start the torrent downloading.

10. Piece XXX failed hash check, re-downloading it

BT Client downloaded a wrong packet, so it's re-downloading it, just ignore this message, unless it happens repeatedly.


11. Upload failed: The tracker that hosted your torrent is listed as 'dead'!

Possibly the tracker is all full.


12. MsgCode:xxxxxxxxx::add_torrent::dead_tracker::395

That error is pretty straight forward. The tracker you are trying to use is currently not available. Just because you used it before doesn't mean it's working today. It's currently down for whatever reason. To solve this issue you either have to find a different tracker, one that is up right now.

Or just wait and see if that one comes back.


13. \"Error on Line xx\" or \"Cannot execute free Script\"

Do you have any ad blocking software running? Some firewalls like NIS and Agnitum Outpost have such options built into them.There is also at least one pop-up-stopper that now supports ad blocking.If you have any of those turn them off and try again.You also might like to check your security settings in your Browser. Perhaps you have very aggressive security and privacy settings that are causing it?

14.Missing/Can't See Categories

Disable your ad-blocking, it may be part of your firewall.


15. No known mirrors

That normally means the mirror hosting the tracker is too busy or is having problems.


16. Web page is filled with errors

Means the torrent is dead, down or overloaded. You really can't tell which of the three.
It only means it can't get a connection with tracker, so anything that caused the tracker to be non-responsive during checking could be causing that error message.


17. "rejected by tracker - Port xxxx is blacklisted"

Your client is reporting to the tracker that it uses one of the default BT ports (6881-6889) or any other common p2p port for incoming connections.The tracker in question does not allow clients to use ports commonly associated with p2p protocols. The reason for this is that it is a common practice for ISPs to throttle those ports (that is, limit the bandwidth, hence the speed).

The blocked ports list include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Direct Connect 411 - 413 Kazaa 1214
• eDonkey 4662
• Gnutella 6346 - 6347
• Torrents 6881 - 6889

In order to use the tracker you must configure your client to use any port range that does not contain those ports (a range within the region 49152 through 65535 is preferable, cf. IANA). Notice that some clients like Azureus 2.0.7.0 or higher use a single port for all torrents, while most others use one port per open torrent. The size of the range you choose should take this into account (typically less than 10 ports wide. There is no benefit whatsoever in choosing a wide range, and there are possible security implications).
These ports are used for connections between peers, not client to tracker. Therefore this change will not interfere with your ability to use other trackers (in fact it should increase your speed with torrents from any tracker). Your client will also still be able to connect to peers that are using the standard ports. If your client does not allow custom ports to be used, you will have to switch to one that does.

The more random the choice is the harder it will be for ISPs to catch on to you and start limiting speeds on the ports you use. If we simply define another port range on the forum, your ISPs will start throttling that range also.Finally, remember to forward the chosen ports in your router and/or open them in your firewall, should you have them.


18. "Unrecognized Host", "Invalid passkey", "missing passkey", or "Unregistered Torrent" error?

• Some torrent sites have started individually keying torrents to individual members. There is nothing you can do about it, apart from registering with the tracker's site and getting your own torrent from them.
• If this is your first torrent, that MAY mean you have not configured your internet/proxy or BT Client settings correctly. Try another torrent that other users have been able to download successfully (check for recent positive comments)

19. Requested download is not authorized for use with this tracker

• Usually that means the torrent has been removed from the tracker (or was never placed there properly).
• If this is your first torrent, that MAY mean you have not configured your internet/proxy or BT Client settings correctly. Try another torrent that other users have been able to download successfully (check for recent positive comments)