ok. What you have to do is download the "Bearshare Test" file. Go ahead and try and run it. It should say something like, "this copy of Bearshare has expired". Go down to the time, and change the date back to 3 or 4 years ago. Then open the Bearshare Test. It will run then. Once you enter all your details, it will open up. Then near the top, click on "Setup", and it will bring up a drop down menu. Click on "Service". It will bring up a box. In that box, you will want to check the box that says "Forced Ultrapeer". It says something about "debug only", but, don't worry about that. You need to check that box and make sure that you become an ultrapeer in order to get lightning fast speed and connections. Then you're all set to download whatever ya like, such as anything that's not copyrighted. (sarcasm) Hope that helps.

I'm having problems with connecting to BearShare Lite 5.2.5. I have had it for about 5 years. I left home and went to college in August and when I got here I was unable to get a connection to BearShare. I can connect to the internet and everything. But when I get on BearShare it continuously looks for host. If anybody can help fix this I will be so greatful.

Jessica, in this thread, go up to the link that says, "First" and click it. The first post in this thread is by Aaron Walkerhouse. He has a test program, and if you are using Windows XP, he also has a ''starter'' program that comes with it. Download those two things. Then, go back a couple of posts in this thread and read the instructions I gave the last guy about how to use this Bearshare test. Using my tips will help you run bearshare with ease and lightning fast! If you don't understand any of this, just reply and I can help you some more. Hope that helps!

vansnoob...i did what you were talking about also. it says that BearShare has expired. It didn't even change the date that it said it was going to change on my computer.

ok, you downloaded the test program. that's good. yes, it is going to say that it is expired. now, are you running windows XP or windows vista? because if you're running vista, then the starter program isn't going to work. if you're running XP, then use the starter program. it was in the same post by aaron walkerhouse that you got the bearshare test download. i think it's called "startup utility" or something close to that. basically, what the utility program does, is, change the date on your computer for a brief second, which tricks the bearshare test program into thinking that the date is way before now. then it opens up bearshare for you. you will never notice that the date has changed, it just does it long enough to start bearshare.

if you are running vista, then you will need to change the date yourself. it's annoying, yes, but, it will get the program to work. you will need to change the date back to around Jan 2005 or so. Once you change the date, the program works. if you're using vista, the startup utility us useless, because it won't work. you will need to change the date first, then start bearshare.

then, go back a few posts ago and follow those instructions i left the other guy, about changing the settings to maximize your download capability! and you're off!

if you have more questions, feel free to ask!

If your BearShare has been sitting unused for awhile it's cache of addresses to
connect to will have gone stale. Shut down BearShare if it's running, download
connect.zip and unzip it into the folder called "C:\Program Files\BearShare\db"
and then start your Bear up again.

If that doesn't work, grab BearDiag, use it to generate a full report and bring it to
the original BearShare experts at Technutopia.

oh course me zipping the file didnt work. 8-( Now what I'm doing is running the BearDiag. Aaron Walkerhouse, the action that vansnoob is talking about will it work?

Appreciate the heads up and take the advice into great con sideration!!1

www.oldversion.com

for old version of old software from olduser ...

Edit: http://www.oldversion.com/Bearshare.html (ignore Bearshare 6 as that's the new owner's version which will give you little) * apologies Olduser

1. When the time is pushed back for installing the beta mentioned in post #1, does the computer clock time need to permanently stay around that time or is that only for the installation & setup process & period? eg: after initial installation & set up, can the computer clock then be changed to now or does it permanently need to be before the beta expiry date?

2. Does the person installing need to manually change the time back or is that achieved with the utility?