Frequently Asked Questions
- What does 'DC', 'hub' and 'slot' mean?
- Using BCDC++
- What do the icons stand for in the userlist?
- How can I set my client up for new hublists?
- How to restore my downloads if the Download Queue is empty?
- What do the different colors mean in the transfers portion of my window?
- What does [T], [Z], [R], [U], [S] mean on the up/download progress bar?
- How can I load a color scheme?
- What should I do if I changed my shared files?
- Some of my shared files are not in my filelist. Why?
- Why are there more users downloading from me than the number of upload slots I have set?
- How do I set my DC up to be active?
- Why doesn't my download/upload/search work?
- Error messages
- Installing and upgrading
- Setting up software firewalls
- Setting up hardware firewalls
- Other topics
1. What does 'DC', 'hub' and 'slot' mean?
What is Direct Connect?
DC++ is an open-source, peer-to-peer file-sharing client that can be used to connect to the Direct Connect network or to the ADC protocol. (wikipedia)
The Direct Connect network consists of the DC hubs, clients and hublists.
It is a popular P2P client because it is more than just a search and download utility, it also supports chat between the users. Content shared on a DC hub is likely to be safe, the operators of the hubs will do everything in their powers to get rid of fake and virus infested shares. If you see anything dubious, let them know.
What is a 'hub' ?
A Direct Connect hub is a connecting place for the users.
The hub controls the chat, the searches, and makes client-client connections possible.
The hub is not a server in the classic meaning of the word, it does not 'serve' content for users. The downloads are between two clients. The hub does not control the speed or the content of the downloaded information.
What is a 'slot' ?
A slot is an up- or downloading instance. The number of users that can download from user X is the same as the number of upload slots set in user X's client program.
The number of simultaneous downloads a user can have is less or equal with the number of 'download slots' set in the client program. Zero means infinite, no restrictions.
What is an operator and what does she/he do?
The 'op' (the user marked with a key in the userlist) is the the person that makes sure the hub's rules are respected. The op can kick, ban or enforce other restrictions on users not respecting these rules. The op also tries to be helpful with questions related to DC. However, if you have questions, you are better off asking in the main chat first, usually the users of a hub are willing to help if they can. If you think op rights are necessary to answer your problem or you don't get an answer to your DC related question, you can ask an op in a private chat window.
It helps if you tried to solve your problem first, read the FAQ-s :)
How could I become an operator?
You have two options: you can start your own hub, and be an operator on it, or you can become an operator of an existing hub. In this case usually if the operators of the hub will ask you to join them. Asking to become an op will not work, they will choose the users most fit for the task.
2. Using BCDC++
What do the icons stand for in the userlist?
The users with green icons are in active mode, the red brick wall means passive mode users. The blue icons are DC users whom you have contacted (up- or downloaded from).
The users with yellow keys are operators.
It is important to know that passive users can NOT download from other passive users, while such restrictions do not apply to active users. This is why it is in your interest to me in active mode.
For details see the rest of this FAQ.
How can I set my client up for new hublists?
The shortcut to the Public Hublists is Ctrl P
Here click on the 'Configure' button to add new list addresses.
How to restore my downloads if the Download Queue is empty?
You have two options to solve this problem. You can use the "Previous Versions" function of Windows Vista, or you can re-add your downloads manually.
What do the different colors mean in the transfers portion of my window?
The 'transfers' section of your DC's interface shows three shades of colors: the darkest one shows the portions down or uploaded earlier. The slightly lighter shade shows the portion that you have just up or downloaded. The lightest shade of the color will show the compression gain: that's how much transfer you saved because of data compression.
What does [T], [Z], [R], [U], [S] mean on the up/download progress bar?
[T] stands for TTH-checked download;
[R] means the download has used rollback to resume after a disconnect;
[Z] means the transmission is zip compressed;
[S] means the transmission is secure;
The untrusted TLS will be marked with [U];
How can I load a color scheme?
The BCDC++ install kit contains two schemes. You'll find more on the downloads page. Copy these themes to the 'Sripts/Colorsets/' subfolder of your BCDC++.
To load a colour scheme, just start the Configure ColorSets program in the BCDC start menu and use it to load the scheme. This is how it starts:
To list you saved themes, press '1' :
You see I have 3 schemes on this computer.
If you want to load one of these, press '2'. Then you'll have to name your scheme (Example: Night), then press Enter again. The program will next load the scheme and reset the settings in BCDC++. It is important, that you exit BCDC++ before you load the new scheme:
To exit press X (then Enter). And that's all folks :)
What should I do if I changed my shared files?
If you changed the contents of your shared folders, you need to refresh your filelist, otherwise your changed share will not be accesible for others.
You do this with the File >> Refresh file list menu. You can also do it by issueing the command /refresh in the main chat of any hub (only once).
The newly shared files will make it into your filelist after the program has calculated the TTH hash values for them.
This might be a long process, so you might have to wait a while. You can track the process in the System log (View >> System Log) and in the Indexing Progress window (View >> Indexing progress) .
You could also set it up for automatic file list refresh, in the Advanced Settings .
Some of my shared files are not in my filelist. Why?
Your DC will only share files with TTH hash, and if it has not calculated it, the files will not show up in your share. To refresh, click File >> Refresh file list. For more help see previous question.
Why are there more users downloading from me than the number of upload slots I have set?
First of all make sure you have a low or zero value at the 'Automatically open an extra slot if speed is below' setting of the Settings/Sharing menu.
You should also remember that all the users you granted extra slots to will be able to download on a slot above your preset slots. In your favorite user list all those that have a checkmark in front of their nicknames automatically have n extra slot from you.
You also have three 'minislots', for your filelilst and small files. You can set the maximum filesize for the minislot at the Advanced Settings menu.
How do I set my DC up to be active?
In the File >> Settings >> Connection Settings menu the default setting is Direct connection. If you have a router and need to forward a port, use the Firewall with manual port forwarding setting.
You are active unless you set Firewall(passive, last resort). You should test it by logging in a hub and trying to search and download.
If it works, congratulations, you are active !
If it doesn't work, try these:
1. Make sure that the IP address is set correctly under the File >> Settings >> Connection Settings menu (WAN IP address). To find out what your IP address is, type +myip at the hub's main chat. Reconnect to the hub and try to search/download. If it still does not work, see the next section.
2. Make sure no firewall is blocking your DC, try disableing your firewall and then, if it works, enable the firewall again and try to add the rule to allow DC pass through. Try to search/download. If it still does not work, see the next section.
3. If you are behind a router (the device that makes it possible to use a broadband connection with more computers), you will need to forward a port for DC. Any unused port will do, in both TCP and UDP modes.
For setailed help on this set-up, go to portforward.com . Click on your router's make/model then click on DC++. Follow the instructions.
If all this fails, you have to go 'passive'. This means you will only be able to download from 'active' users, which is bad for you, because it restricts your sources. And some hubs will not allow you to download if you are passive.
3. Why doesn't my download/upload/search work?
Why can't I download? Why won't my search return any results?
There are a few possible reasons:
1. Make sure that the IP address is set correctly under the File >> Settings >> Connection Settings menu (WAN IP address). To find out what your IP address is, type +myip in the hub's main chat. Reconnect to the hub (Ctrl R) and try to search/download. If it still does not work, see the next section.
2. Make sure no firewall is blocking your DC, try disableing your firewall and then, if it works, enable the firewall again and try to add the rule to allow DC pass through. Try to search/download. If it still does not work, see the next section.
3. If you are behind a router (the device that makes it possible to use a broadband connection with more computers), you will need to forward a port for DC. Any unused port will do, in both TCP and UDP modes.
For detailed help on setting this up, go to portforward.com . Click on your router's make/model then click on DC++. Follow the instructions.
If all this fails, you have to go 'passive'. This means you will only be able to download from 'active' users, which is bad for you, because it restricts your sources. And some hubs will not allow you to download if you are passive.
I can download from some users, but I can't from others. Why?
Most likely your client is set to 'passive' mode. This way you can only download from 'active' users, and not from the 'passive' ones.
For help to set your DC up for active mode, see the previous section.
I cannot search, only download. Or the other way. What's wrong?
If your search works, and download doesn't, then your firewall is probably blocking DC's TCP traffic and allowwing UDP to pass thgrough.
If your download works, and search doesn't, then your firewall is probably blocking DC's UDP traffic and allowwing TCP to pass thgrough.
DC++ uses UDP protocol to search, while up and downloads are using TCP transfer. Read this for help to set your router/firewall up correctly.
4. Error messages
Connection timeout
If you get the message when trying to enter the hub:
Make sure the address is correct. If you are connecting off of a hublist, maybe the hub is temporarily down.
It is possible that your firewall won't allow DC++ through.
If you get the message when trying to download:
If you get this message only from some users, it could be because both of you are passive.
If you get this message for each connection, it's your active mode setting that does not work. For help see here.
TTH Inconsistency
This message is telling you that the file in your Download Queue has a different TTH than the one you're trying to download.You can try the following remedies:
- Search for alternatives
- Enter the /rebuild command in the main chat
- Try downloading to a different folder
- Delete the file from the Download Queue, and if needed, the temporary download file
No slots available
The user you are trying to download from has no more empty slots. You must wait for him to have a slot. Your DC will automatically retry until it will get a slot. An other option is to search for alternates, you might find someone with a faster net connection, more slots.
All download slots taken
This means the number of your downloads has reached the maximum set at the File >> Settings >> Downloads menu:
1: you might have a non-zero number set at Maximum simultaneous downloads, in this case you can only have that many downloads. Set it to zero to have no limit.
2: you might have set Maximum download speed to start new download . When your download speed reaches this limit, it will not start more downloads. Again, setting this to zero will disregard it.
5. Installing and upgrading
6. Setting up software firewalls
Agnitum Outpost Firewall
Az Agnitum Outpost Firewall a BCDC++ elsÅ‘ indÃtásakor rákérdez, hogy engedje-e a program használatát. A részletes leÃrást képekkel a következÅ‘ helyeken találod:
Outpost 2.6 és újabb, illetve
Outpost 3.0 és újabb verzió.
Miért blokkolja az Outpost az Internet-hozzáférésemet?
Az Outpost ezen verziója már olyan védelmi elemeket is tartalmaz, ami néha (tévesen) a DC-n indÃtott keresések beérkezését is támadásnak érzékeli. Ezt egy egyszerű beállÃtással ki tudod küszöbölni.
BlackICE PC Protection
A BlackICE azok közé a tűzfalak közé tartozik, amik kérdeznek. Talán egy kicsit többet is, mint kellene. Ugyanakkor arra is van orvosság, hogy emellett működjön az aktÃv mód:
Itt találod a leÃrást.
McAfee Personal Firewall Plus 2005
A McAfee tűzfala a BCDC++ elsÅ‘ indÃtásakor rákérdez, hogy engedélyezze-e a program teljeskorű használatát. Az engedélyezéshez kattints a Grant Access hivatkozásra. Részletes leÃrást képekkel itt találsz.
Keiro Personal Firewall
A Kerio a BCDC++ elsÅ‘ indÃtásakor rákérdez, hogy engedélyezze-e a program használatát. Válaszd ki, hogy ne kérdezzen többet, és a Permit (Engedélyez) gombal engedélyezd a DC használatát. Részeletes leÃrást képekkel itt találsz.
Sygate Personal Firewall Pro
A Sygate a program indÃtásakor érdeklÅ‘dik, hogy engedje-e a BCDC++ használatát. Jelöld meg a "Remember my answer..." opciót és kattints a Yes (Igen) gombra. A részletes leÃrást képekkel itt találod.
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2005
A jól ismert PC-Cillin vÃrusirtó csomaghoz tűzfal is jár, amely a háttérben csendesen működik, nem kérdez semmit. Azonban egy kis beállÃtásra szorul, amennyiben azt szeretnéd, hogy a DC működjön mellette aktÃv módban. A részletes leÃrást itt találod.
Windows XP beépÃtett tűzfala
Service Pack 1 esetén a tűzfal beállÃtásainál ki kell nyitni egy portot a DC felé irányuló TCP és UDP forgalomnak. Ezután ha a DC beállÃtásainál is megadod a kinyitott port számát, várhatóan működni fog az aktÃv mód. Ha a gépedre már SP2 is telepÃtve van, valamivel egyszerűsödik a helyzet. A részletes leÃrást itt találod.
Windows Vista firewall
You have several ways to set up Windows Vista Firewall according to your knowledge...
7. Setting up hardware firewalls
8. Other topics
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is a characteristic of your internet connection. It is the maximum upload and download capacity in Kilobits per seconds or Megabits per seconds.
For example a 2M/512K net means a maximum download speed os two megabits per seconds and a maximum upload speed of 512 kilobits (or one half megabit) per second.
Where can I measure my bandwidth?
The best way to find out what your nominal bandwidth is to look in your contract with your service provider, or on your ISP's website.
If you can't find it, or you need to measure it, you need to exit all the programs that use the net.
Some websites for speed-tests:
Again, it's important, that while you test you close all programs that might use the internet.