i just downloaded bearshare today because limewire didn't work for me.

it worked fine for the protected songs i downloaded into my library (i dont have or want a subscription), but when i tried to download some of the p2p (green cd) songs, it is just stuck on saying "connecting" the whole time and then all of a sudden i got an error message that said "unknown error" and it closed.

please help!



here are my specs:

os: windows xp
internet: Verizon DSL (slower version), Router/Modem in one (this is my main computer hooked up by ethernet)-Actiontec GT704WG, McAfee firewall, but i set it to grant access, disabled windows firewall

Maybe it's the same problem that stopped LimeWire. What happened to LimeWire when you tried it?

Try the old reliable beta version of BearShare 5.1 in the thread: BearShare has been sabotaged.
It has better diagnostics and works much better for the P2P songs.

limewire couldn't connect to p2p either

i will try the beta thing. thanks!

BTW did you enable UPnP on your Actiontec? If it doesn't support UPnP or it is enabled & you still get firewall warnings, then go here & find your model in the far left column under Actiontec: http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm
I suspect that will solve some problems with both BearShare & LimeWire.

will do-thanks!

when i was trying to do this and i tried to go to the page of my IP address (I don't know what mine is, so I used the one it said would be default on the page), it said my connection timed out on that page. help?

Edit: I found out my IP address and am now working on the port forwarding

Yes the 1st step of setting up a static ip is usually the step that confuses most people if they do make a mistake. This is in fact the most vital step. Without a static ip the entire process won't work after your ip changes. Once you get the whole process right, you'll never look back & will see the value of the concept for forwarding a port. Port forwarding is very common for online games, video conferencing, etc., except those generally require multiple ports forwarded.

Don't forget to save your settings. Some devices require rebooting them to save the process properly & for them to start using the forwarding. I'm not sure about your brand or model.

what do you mean by setting up a static ip?

i followed the port forwarding instructions on that page in the actiontec control panel, but bearshare still isn't working (host not accessible)

When you follow the instructions at portforward.com, the 1st thing they tell you to do is set up a static ip. Make sure you set Bearshare to use the port you forwarded. Oh something I forgot to mention, only one program can use a particular port in a single session of your computer being booted up. So "if" you still have LW installed, you should forward a different port for it or BS & of course set the port it connects to to that one. And also, with port forwarding because it is set via computer ip id, if you wanted to use p2p programs on other computers on the network, they'd need to have separate port forwardings using different ports. So their port forwarding would need to be set 'from' each computer. That's because each will have a different ip id on the network. I hope that doesn't sound confusing.