Bittorrent problem
 

Here's the situation

I use Bittornado, and I have a Microsoft wired router model MN-100

I can never start the download, it shows I'm connected to peers and seeds, but I'm not downloading.

I have the following application triggered and persistent ports forwarded:

http://upload.cybermart.ca/2005/help1.JPG
http://upload.cybermart.ca/2005/help2.JPG

That's all the info I can think of to give right now, if you need any more just ask.

help!

You're not required to use the initial BT ports of 6881-6889. A lot of ISPs have started blocking these ports. I would tell you to use something like 10500-10510. Remember, each port is assigned one transfer. So, if you set it up with the 10500 range, and you have two transfers going, you will use ports 10500 and 10501. The more ports you have open below the port 32,000, the easier it is for people to get inside your network, even with a router and NATting

Also, is the Windows firewall off? You can set it to forward specific ports, but that's a pain in the ass, and since you have a router, unnecessary. Just thought I might mention it.

I use ports 30000 or so for Bittorrent. Default doesn't work as well for me.

I tried changing the ports forwarded with the 10500 range, didn't help any :(

Tried turning off the firewall... didn't help any

K I've exhausted all my knowledge on this one... can anyone lend a shred of advice?

I miss my bittorrent

Well, you seem to be desperately stuck so let me take a shot in the dark (keep in mind I don't really know much so I'll just take wild guesses as to what's going on).

First, try running Bit Torrent without your firewall. Does it still work? If not, then something is configured badly in your client or your ISP is doing something bad to you. The reality is that, while it's preferable to have port forwards for Bit Torrent, they are not necessary! Bit Torrent will work just fine even if you are behind a firewall and all you can do is connect out. This is because many people operate their computers without firewalls so, even if they can't connect to you, you can always connect to them. So, there really isn't any reason why Bit Torrent isn't working for you, even if you haven't configured your router properly.

Secondly, I suspect the application-triggered port forwarding is not helping you. I'm guessing that what that page does is it allows the computer you're connecting to at those outbound ports connect back to you on those inbound ports. I'm also guessing, by the ports you've entered, that you're anticipating the tracker connecting back to you at those inbound ports. I don't think this happens. Once you've connected to the tracker that's all the tracker needs to communicate with you and no port forwarding of any kind is needed. It's just as well, too, because what port you connect to the tracker with is not a constant but defined by the tracker file. So, you might as well take these port forwards out. Who knows, maybe having application-triggered and persistent port forwards on the same port is screwing it up.

I couldn't help but notice that the persistent port forwards forward ports to a static IP address. Make sure your computer actually has this address. If it is assigned using DHCP, it probably has the wrong address!

Lastly, I don't think Bit Torrent uses any other protocol than TCP, so you can probably make your machine a little more secure and remove those UDP port forwards.

Well, this is the best I can come up with. I hope it helps! I know how frustrating it can be to have computers that don't work properly...

I'd like to point out that sometimes it takes a while for a torrent to actually get going. At least I'm pretty sure I've noticed something to that effect.. I guess it could depend on a number of things. So, just to rule it out, have you left the torrent open for a good amount of time (i.e. multiple hours) before determining that it wasn't working?

Another thing to try is to disconnect your router all togther and put your DSL/Cable modem right on the computer. If it doesn't work then, it is either a firewall on your machine (windows firewall, zone alarm, etc) or your ISP blocking. I don't recomend leaving your computer setup like this for very long, but you can do it to take 1 less variable out and test.

Once you get it to work without the router, put the router back into the setup.

Also, post the new settings you have in your router if you could.

Have you considered trying Azureus? I understand that it has the best error reporting and configuration setup; you could use it just to get things set up again, and then switch back to Bittornado.

Or just stick with Azureus :thumbsup:

Wow, thanks for all the help guys... I'll tackle all these new suggestions after I get home from university today.

I am hesitant to use azureus again because I've heard of horrible memory leaks from that program... Maybe they've fixed it in recent releases... but i dunno.

Hrm, I have had it running 7+ days at a time without restarting and it was fine. HD was slower than hell after that time, but that was because I needed to defrag.