Guide to Getting Files From IRC

This guide shows you how to find files from XDCC bots/servers using IRC search engines. Many channels do not list their contents on these types of sites, so I recommend viewing this guide at Slyck if you can't find what you're looking for using the method shown in this guide.

IRC is a great means of distributing files, particularly new ones. You are likely to find newer releases listed on IRC search engines.

IRC Search Engines:
http://searchirc.com/

Know of more? Please reply to this thread with the URL!
I'm using IRCSpy to search in this guide. (IRCSpy is no longer running 16/02/10)


Step 1: Searching

First thing you'll want to do when you've reached the search engine is locate the search box which allows you to submit a search.

Enter the name of the file you are after, then submit. This part is no different to any regular search engine such as Google.
You may wish to try searching using more basic search terms depending on your results first time round.
When you get familiar with using the sites, you can grab an account and try setting different search options, such as the ability to only show online bots/users in searches.



Just like Google, you're presented with a list of results from your search criteria.


Key:
IRCSpy lists online bots in green and offline bots in red. Therefore, the red results unless you're prepared to wait for a bot to get back online.

1a - Name of the file. The first thing you should look for, be sure you go after the correct file!

1b - Size of the file. This says a lot about the file, e.g. if it's a TeleSync movie and only 100-200mb then obviously it's a DivX re-encode of a (S)VCD.

2 - Serving information. Here you can see how many people have the file queued, whether there are free slots and the max speed the sender has reached. This is very useful for calculating waiting times.

3a - Here you have the server (e.g. irc.p2pforums.com) and bot/user (e.g. [xDCC]P2PFs-23482) information. This will be the person/bot you will download from if you choose this location.

3b - The #number listed here is the number of the "XDCC pack" (file) you will need to request from the bot. By clicking this number, you will be automatically connected to the correct server and joined to the correct channel. *Note* You'll need mIRC running in order to be automatically connected.


If you're already on a server, select option 3 and hit OK. This'll open the new server connection in a new window without interrupting whatever you're doing on the current server.

*OPTIONAL* If you wish to connect to a server manually without clicking a link on the search site, you can type "/server <servername>:<serverp
ort>" (without quotes) in your IRC client.
e.g. /server irc.respectp2p.org:6667
You can then join the listed channel by typing "/join #channel" (without quotes).
e.g. /join #P2PForums.com

Step 2: Downloading

Right, the easy part is out of the way. You're in the same channel as the person who has the file that you want and very close to actually downloading it.

*IMPORTANT* It's VERY important that you view the channel topic and any entry messages you are presented with when you enter the channel. They contain important information which could get you banned if not followed, e.g. "No !list & @find" means you'll get auto kick/banned if you try searching in a channel using the !list and @find commands.


The above screenshot is an example of what XDCC channels look like. Chances are you'll see a lot of XDCC / fserve "ads" from bots advertizing the files they are serving. As we know what file we're after, these can be ignored.

Ok, Time to get the file. The XDCC get command is very simple & easily learnt.
The command is usually "/ctcp <nick> xdcc send <packnumber>" (without quotes).
Lets assume the bot you found in your search is called "[P2PForums]0day-1985" and the pack (file) number you want is "2".
Type the following and hit enter:


If you did it correctly, you'll most likely see one of three notices from the user:

1.
This tells you the user is currently busy sending to others and you've been placed in the users queue. If this is the case, you are often sent further notices every few minutes informing you of how long you have left to wait.
Be patient! If you have auto-accept on, the file will start sending as soon as the user is able to send it to you without you having to do anything.

2.
Lucky you, there are no queues and the file's being sent straight to you!

3.
If you see a notice along these lines, it means all the users queue slots have been taken. You can either return to step 1 and search for an identical file on another server/channel, or you can wait patiently for a queue slot to become available. Be careful not to flood bots with requests, as this can often result in a server ban.<hr>
Once the file starts sending, you'll see a new window appear at the bottom of your channels list. If you click it you can view information on the file being sent to you (speed, remaining time, bytes received etc).



That's it, you're done! Pretty simple, wasn't it?
File's completed? Now you can move the file you downloaded to your shared directory and start sharing it in your favourite P2P app.

FAQ:

No files that are sent to me download. I can see the bot/user attempting to send them to me, but they are never accepted.
If you are having problems receiving files, you've probably not configured your copy of mIRC (or whichever client you prefer) correctly. You can set mIRC to auto-accept certain filetypes (such as avi, tar, rar) in mIRC's options (View > Options > DCC, in mIRC 6.x+).

When I message a bot to get
a file I'm told "I must be identified to a registered nick" to message the user.
The user has usermode +R on which only allows registered users to message it. To register your nick on the server, type:
"/msg nickserv register <password> <email>" (without quotes).
e.g. /msg nickserv register p2pfs123 mailto:bill@microsoft.com
Once registered you will be able to download from the user.
Next time you return to the particular server, you'll have to identify yourself to NickServ. To do this, type "/msg nickserv identify <password>" (without quotes). Alternatively, I recommend adding the command to your clients "perform on connect" list so you can be identified to NickServ automatically.

Do I need a special script or addon for mIRC to download XDCC packs?
Nope, you can use basic mIRC or another other client which is DCC compatible. Some scripts add extra options for getting packs, for example I wrote an XDCC menu so I can grab packs a little quicker without typing a command line. See why here.

Which client/script are you using in the screenshots above? Where can I get it from?
I use NoNameScript 3.8 running under mIRC 6.12 which I have modified quite a bit myself.

I have an XDCC/fileserve channel I want listed on an IRC search engine, how do I do it?
Take a look at the FAQ on the particular search site. You should find a page which allows you to submit your channel to the search list.
*Note* Some networks do not allow fserve/xdcc only channels & may not wish any channel on their network to be listed in IRC search engines. Check with the network first.<hr>

Written by ToM on 16th May 2004 - Last updated 16/02/10