View Full Version : Getting roms from Usenet
ddockery
12-02-2003, 08:37 PM
What does everyone use for this? I've been using BNR2 (Binary News Reaper) and like it, but thought I'd look for some good alternatives. It seems to be quite a resource hog.
Also, does anyone else have weird problems with rar files? On my desktop I'll get a CRC error, and the same rar set will work fine on my laptop. It's really annoying when this happens.
oesiii
12-02-2003, 08:47 PM
Here's a handy tutorial: http://www.slyck.com/ng.php
also includes links to two of the most popular newsreaders. I used Agent for about a year with no problem but the last couple of years I've been real happy with Xnews. Both good programs.
Not sure about your rar problems, maybe try reinstalling the program or use a newer or older version and see if your problem clears up.
ddockery
12-02-2003, 09:06 PM
I've actually tried two different programs and both have spotty results with the rar files. I'm starting to wonder if my memory is screwed up.
NE146
12-02-2003, 11:18 PM
Try out grabit...it's free. http://www.shemes.com
whoisKeel
12-11-2003, 07:19 PM
I used Agent for about a year with no problem but the last couple of years I've been real happy with Xnews
Agent is great to learn on, but once you get the hang of it xnews blows everything out of the water. it's best feature is that you can combine parts from different servers (ie if you're missing 3 out of 49 parts, you can get those 3 from another server and xnews will combine them all together). this is especially cool since there are several FREE binary servers out there that offer 5 mb a day limit. but if you only need a few parts, 5 mb is enough. also agent is a resource hog, xnews is very light (and also freeware btw) but at the same time agent is an offline and online reader whereas xnews is a little weak for offline reading. agent is prettier.
also i'm not sure why you're getting crc errors, but if you're getting large rar volumes, make sure you get the par files and run smartpar. if you can't extract anything, make SURE you are using a news reader that can decode yEnc (both agent and xnews do as well as others)
whoisKeel
12-11-2003, 07:19 PM
I used Agent for about a year with no problem but the last couple of years I've been real happy with Xnews
Agent is great to learn on, but once you get the hang of it xnews blows everything out of the water. it's best feature is that you can combine parts from different servers (ie if you're missing 3 out of 49 parts, you can get those 3 from another server and xnews will combine them all together). this is especially cool since there are several FREE binary servers out there that offer 5 mb a day limit. but if you only need a few parts, 5 mb is enough. also agent is a resource hog, xnews is very light (and also freeware btw) but at the same time agent is an offline and online reader whereas xnews is a little weak for offline reading. agent is prettier.
also i'm not sure why you're getting crc errors, but if you're getting large rar volumes, make sure you get the par files and run smartpar. if you can't extract anything, make SURE you are using a news reader that can decode yEnc (both agent and xnews do as well as others)
ddockery
12-11-2003, 10:46 PM
I've been using XNews for one of my servers, and I have a question. In BNR2, it keeps the headers, and just deletes the expired and adds any new. In XNews it seems to be downloading all headers every time. Is there a setting I'm missing to fix this?
Also, I've been using PARs and know my files are good, That's why I find this so weird. At least I have a laptop I can use to do the trick, but that's a MAJOR pain in the ass.
ddockery
12-11-2003, 10:46 PM
I've been using XNews for one of my servers, and I have a question. In BNR2, it keeps the headers, and just deletes the expired and adds any new. In XNews it seems to be downloading all headers every time. Is there a setting I'm missing to fix this?
Also, I've been using PARs and know my files are good, That's why I find this so weird. At least I have a laptop I can use to do the trick, but that's a MAJOR pain in the ass.
zektor
12-11-2003, 11:43 PM
Get Power Grab. I use it on a regular basis (actually downloading with it as I speak). It's free, very easy to use, and doesn't even need to be installed as you just unzip it to a folder and run the program:
http://www.cosmicwolf.com/
v2.5 is the latest. If you need help getting it going, just let me know. I pretty much know the program inside and out.
zektor
12-11-2003, 11:43 PM
Get Power Grab. I use it on a regular basis (actually downloading with it as I speak). It's free, very easy to use, and doesn't even need to be installed as you just unzip it to a folder and run the program:
http://www.cosmicwolf.com/
v2.5 is the latest. If you need help getting it going, just let me know. I pretty much know the program inside and out.
NE146
12-13-2003, 01:16 PM
Get Power Grab. I use it on a regular basis (actually downloading with it as I speak). It's free, very easy to use, and doesn't even need to be installed as you just unzip it to a folder and run the program:
http://www.cosmicwolf.com/
v2.5 is the latest. If you need help getting it going, just let me know. I pretty much know the program inside and out.
Cool another new one to try :D Thanks Zektor, checking it now. :)
NE146
12-13-2003, 01:16 PM
Get Power Grab. I use it on a regular basis (actually downloading with it as I speak). It's free, very easy to use, and doesn't even need to be installed as you just unzip it to a folder and run the program:
http://www.cosmicwolf.com/
v2.5 is the latest. If you need help getting it going, just let me know. I pretty much know the program inside and out.
Cool another new one to try :D Thanks Zektor, checking it now. :)