How to Download and Use Torrents for Noobs

In the comment section of every torrent site are always the same questions, “How do I install this game?” Or, “Whats an iso file?”  It seems the word on downloading torrents is spreading, but the way to do it isn’t.  This is a step-by-step guide for people who have no idea what to do.  Keep in mind, there is no “right ” way to do it, methods may vary, but I’m trying to make it as easy as possible.

 

What is “Bittorrent?”   Basically Bittorrent or “torrents” for short, is a way to get files from one or more person’s computers onto your computer.  It’s what you call p2p or “peer to peer.”  You may be familiar with programs such as Napster, Kazaa, or Limewire.  Downloading torrents is the same principal as those programs, just slightly more complicated, but you have much more to choose from.  The major difference between using torrents to get a file you’re after and a program such as Limewire is, in Limewire you search for the file and download it all within Limewire, but in the case of torrents, you search using a special “torrent tracking” website and download the file with a Bittorrent client.  

 

What You Will Need

1.   A fast internet connection.  While it is possible to use dial-up, it’s not really worth it. 

2.  A Bittorrent client.  I highly suggest µTorrent.  Download and install this, leave all the settings to default.

3.   Poweriso.   Poweriso is a cd/dvd emulator, more on this later.

4.   VLC media player.  This small player will play almost anything you throw at it.  

5.   Winrar.  Many of the files you get from Bittorrent will be compressed.

6.   A torrent tracking website.  I recommend ThePirateBay.org, it seems to have the best selection.

7.  Anti-virus software.  I recommend Avira, its free and easy on your system.  You never know whats out there.

 

OK, so you downloaded and installed all the programs above and now you’re ready.  Here’s what to do.

For music or movies just search for the name at ThePirateBay (TPB).  When you see the file you want, click “Download this torrent.”  Once that small file finishes, open it.  If µTorrent doesn’t automatically start, then manually select µTorrent from the list of programs to associate the file.  

Seeds/Peers-   This is very important to know.  ”Seeds” are how many people are currently finished downloading a certain file but are continuing to upload it, and “peers” are people still in progress of downloading the file, yet are still uploading.  DO NOT lower your upload speed in the settings.  Limiting your upload slots or speed will reduce your download speeds.  This is built in to prevent “leaching“, or downloading without sharing.  Whenever you are searching for a certain file, sort the list by most seeders, so you will get the best download speeds.

How to download, install, and crack a game from Bittorrent:   This is the trickiest part of using Bittorents.  There are a few steps involved, but once you learn it, it’s easy.  Be warned, some games will just not work, no matter what you do.  

Download the link from TPB.  Download the entire file via µTorrent .  

When the file is done, go to the file.  The icon should be a golden disk, meaning it’s associated with Poweriso.  Right-click the file.  You should now see the little golden disk icon in your right-click menu.  Hover on it.  

 

Now set the number of drives to however many ‘iso’ files you downloaded for the game.  Then right-click the file again, this time mount the iso file to the first drive.  Basically whats happening is, someone ripped a copy of the game, but they saved it as a file your computer will recognize as the actual cd or dvd.   Poweriso will trick your computer into thinking it has a new drive and by “mounting” the game you are putting your virtual disk into your virtual drive.  Usually just by mounting thce install will autorun, if not select setup from the explorer.  Begin to install the game.  If a serial is needed, usually it can be found in the Readme file or through an included keygen.  Note:  Many virus scanners will recognize a keygen as a virus.  If you downloaded a torrent with several hundred seeds, it’s usually virus free.  Now, open My Computer, and right-click the new virtual drive and select explore.  Look for the “crack” folder.  Open it.  Copy the exe file inside to your desktop.  When the game is finished installing, do not start it yet.  Right-click the exe on your desktop and click “cut.”  Then paste it to the game directory, it must prompt you to overwrite the existing file.  Select Yes, or Move and Replace.  Now the game is cracked and ready to play.

Remember:   Always continue to seed.  It’s what makes it possible to get the files we all need.  The higher your ratio the better.