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Thread ID: 52492 2004-12-20 18:55:00 Large downloads via dial-up allblack (6574) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
305997 2004-12-20 18:55:00 Morning all.

I'm interested in some (knowledgable) views on downloading large files via a dial-up modem (Paradise).

I want to download the ATR-72 for MS Flight Simulator, but it's 149MB and I don't have broadband.

These downloads don't appear too consistent to me - I've had problems downloadings files of 20MB+ before, however I succesfully got a 60MB file from ActiveSky. I didn't know the file was that large or else I wouldn't have tried!

Apparently the ActiveSky file was VERY highly compressed, which means I got the whole thing in about 25 minutes.

Which leads me to believe that the 149MB file might be acheivable as well, but what I don't know is how the file will be delivered. Is this making sense at all??

Has anyone had any luck downloaded this specific file thru a dial-up??

I would be grateful for any comments or suggestions more experienced users may have - I really want this plane, but I don't want to give them the authority to debit my credit card (though I can get the money back) and never be able to get the file.

Many thanks
Tim
allblack (6574)
305998 2004-12-20 19:11:00 It is acheivable but be prepared to tie up your phone line for very long time and if you get download errors you will have to start again, a better idea would be to ask a friend with broadband or maybe a approach a cybercafe.
Or you could try a download manager that will allow you stop and continue downloads. Sorry I dont use these so cant recommend any but, beware some are packed full of spyware, search the forum on "download managers", that may reveal some usefull information. This topic (download managers) has been discussed here before.

Good luck
beama (111)
305999 2004-12-20 19:27:00 i use a program called 'getright'. it allows you to stop and resume whenever you like. i've downloaded a lot of stuff using this and paradise. i just leave the connection running all night. make sure you're protected tho! tingle (6539)
306000 2004-12-20 19:28:00 The software company supply a download manager and their server supports resuming interrupted downloads. You don't pay in advance, you pay after downloading when you instal. It will depend on your connection. My dialup is estimating 5-8 hours. PaulD (232)
306001 2004-12-20 19:42:00 A more efficient method of downloading is via FTP - most or at least many servers have an FTP option. Ideally you could learn the few basic FTP commands and instructions for anonymous FTP downloads and do it via either Command Prompt or DOS, with absolutely nothing else running. Second best is to get an FTP client, and use that with nothing else running.

If the above is a little too complex then use your browser in the usual way, and close any other applications running.

Beware of download manager software - many of them such as getright contain spyware so you may want to be cautious about their use.

Um, just to add... when I say close all apps, don't close off your firewall
Greg (193)
306002 2004-12-20 20:11:00 I would look at FlashGet,found very good,then run adaware afterwards. Cicero (40)
306003 2004-12-20 20:17:00 The company supplying the flight sim software provide their own download manager that
"will validate your file against any corruption, has full resume, and can even validate and repair previous downloads. Using this tool will prevent you from having to re-download the file, or from loosing a partially downloaded file. You will need both the tool and the data file for the ATR."
so there is no need to use anything that may introduce Ad ware.
PaulD (232)
306004 2004-12-20 20:31:00 i recommend leechget. it's free, no spyware, and supports resuming. also, because it splits it into around 3 parts, i've found it downloads slightly faster than firefox. www.leechget.net Edward (31)
306005 2004-12-20 20:42:00 I don't think Flight1.com's server allows more than 1 connection so Leechget etc will not have any advantage.

Just tried again and got 2 feeds so it may be load dependant.
PaulD (232)
306006 2004-12-20 20:52:00 Wonderful!

Thanks people, I'll have a few bourbons over xmas and let it rip.

It'll kill the missus not being able to use the phone for hours, but she'll get over it.

Cheers
Tim
allblack (6574)
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