I've been having missing blocks in my astraweb dl's for a little while now. I connect to ssl-us.astraweb.com.
Printable View
I've been having missing blocks in my astraweb dl's for a little while now. I connect to ssl-us.astraweb.com.
I usually just try reopenning the nzb and redownloading the parts with missing blocks. It sucks but sometimes I get them 2 or 3 times and each time the file will grab a different size.
Weird my previous post didn't show up. I originally said that I've been getting missing parts for awhile now from astraweb also. I connect to ssl-us.astraweb.com.
I'm hit or miss with astra lately. sometimes I get my normal connection speeds, sometimes it takes a crap and am hitting garbage speeds. I mainly use the news.astraweb.com and news.astraweb.com servers. Not sure if I should switch to another company or not.
I'm using Astra Europe, with a free XSusenet as a backup, works fine most times .
That said, as of this morning I can't download anything, hope it'll get fixed soon ...
I had the same problem with AstraWeb, so I got NZB Completion Checker and a fill-in server account from TweakNews, so far it has worked out great.
Im also having some download problems with Astraweb..I'll try your solution dlee021772..thx
wtf is going on with astra? a shitload of incompletes here and there(random releases posted within last week)Some releases are totally screwed up.Not dmcaed. There are some peculiar cases where nzbcc reports this or that release is complete but the moment you start downloading it there is like 400+++ missing articles
It is still pants but to lesser extent. My fill server (not the usual Astraweb US backup) is taking many hits for some particular posts. Doesn`t seem to be group specific on the download side so I can only assume it goes a bit further back to the original poster and their provider. Which is no excuse of course as other NNTP providers are picking up the posts anyway....Quote:
Originally Posted by Hypatia
Same here, will def be lookin to change provider once sub expires !!
Thanks , will try before giving up on astrawebQuote:
Originally Posted by dlee021772
Things do tend to come and go a bit, but I tend to ignore things until they got really off the rails
The lack of a lot of posters to include anywhere near what I consider the minimum in pars (10%) adds to the problem.
I also notice that L3 (the primary feeder into Astra/US) has been messing around with their route tables this week, sometimes sending traffic down to LA on a loop. Unknown as to why.
Mr. Internet is not perfect. That's why PARS were invented, if folks would use them properly.
What is PARS? Parity?
Yes that is true, but even in the providers I use sometimes the PARS don't download properly either, and I look for alternate newsgroup posts, and I see a lot more now, uploads of alternate groups to solve that problem (marked DG)Quote:
Originally Posted by Beck38
As I noted on my '2015 Bitch List' a while back, a lot of posters fail to do a 'check' on both their rar and par generation, which leads to many archives being 'unrepairable'. Of course, this has nothing whatsoever to do with server failures.
That is true , and you would be correct , if you have it set to automatic ,and not do it manually with QuickPar and WinRAR yourselfQuote:
Originally Posted by Beck38
I am a dinosaur, and still like the control of extracting what I want.
Of course, even then one can go back and re-check 'manually', I do so all the time when I think I've had a 'brain freeze' or 'finger lock' when I finish packing things up.
Yea I'm the same, I prefer to extract manually too (manually pars too if extract fails first time), making sure the actual file I want has been selected (not .nfo .txt .pdf pics junk etc).Quote:
Originally Posted by shainaThat is true , and you would be correct , if you have it set to automatic ,and not do it manually with QuickPar and WinRAR yourselfQuote:
Originally Posted by Beck38
I am a dinosaur, and still like the control of extracting what I want.
It is nice to know there is another dinosaur around still.Quote:
Originally Posted by jiyuoerYea I'm the same, I prefer to extract manually too (manually pars too if extract fails first time), making sure the actual file I want has been selected (not .nfo .txt .pdf pics junk etc).Quote:
Originally Posted by shaina
so..AW is fucking things up.. again.. shitload of incompletes not related to DMCA on lots of new stuff... I'm getting tired of this tbh..
Yeah, this weekend was a mess.
They simply aren't paying attention; there appears to be a fault in the part of the s/w that transfers the incomming blocks ('uploads') from the 'front end' to the main storage.
One can see the problem straight away by running NZBcc right away after posting (with JbinUp of course which has 100% verified the upload of course), and one will get several percent 'MIA', which 'improves' back up to 100% after a few hours. Then 'fades' down to x% for several days/weeks before crawling back up. The EU server is, at least for things posted on the US, really has trouble.
I wonder if the base s/w they are running is a bit too much 'cobbled together' versus some other plants (GN and Blocknews in particular). But that doesn't excuse not being more watchful on the operation.
I think it's rather like the DC Metro subway system; they've been running it in 'auto' mode for so long without upgrading the sensors that are getting old and failing, that they don't (or won't) fix things until a major crash. It's something to keep in mind if one uses them consistantly.
But it appears that the propagation out to other Usenet servers works 100%; so where as Astra may be fading out, folks like GN and BN are 100%, thankfully. Still wants one to beat the Astra ops upside the head.
I use to switch Usenet providers all the time , I finally had enough and stuck with Giganews and just added a offshore provider. 99% of the time you send a ticket into Astraweb , they always blame the user , they never took blame or even felt responsible (at least the person who answered your complaint and not so speedy to reply , Giganews answers you faster than you can type ). There are so many little offshore providers now that are way more reliable , speeds may be slower on some but I am having way more success , and less aggravation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beck38
Why giganews and not supernews? Giganews has nothing useful to offer for the money they ask and supernews=giganews just without useless stuff they offer.
As for their replies... Giganews has always blamed their incomplete issues (mostly old files) on DMCA whereas it was all lies coz DMCAed stuff is deleted completely and they just had lots of random missing articles. I dunno whether they have fixed this or not, I doubt it.
I did use Supernews ($9.99) and they use Giganews access to the there servers , and the access of the retention is not the same , If Giganews does have a DMCA on there server farm access (I think I am saying it right if not sorry on the terminology) so does Supernews . I would assume that if Giganews receives a notice to remove access to said files , they will comply. I don't think I said the files were gone off the server banks , they are restricting the access by a legal request (what I assume). And with a lot of workarounds (making fucked up names for files and stuff) today some get through and some don't. But the files are there and that is why I said I do use an offshore account as well , and sometimes I do get what I am looking for if I couldn't get from Giganews . Plus I am on top of downloads on a daily basis. For a long while now I really haven't had too many take downs , and if it is not complete , the par files fix it. I am not saying Giganews is perfect , I just find it more professional and reliable where I am located in Canada and I pay $19.99 a month and that includes there VPN (and I do use VPN for US access to Netflix and I haven't found a reliable free one yet) and other crap which I don't use , that's all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hypatia
Sorry I also saw you mentioned Giganews with older files , the only explanation there is , I don't have an answer (and it does happen) when it does I use the offshore account and if it doesn't work (and that has happened too) and it is something I really wanted , my last resort is torrents. , Just like I don't know why Astraweb gets requests to add binary groups to there service , and I was one who did send a ticket , and they got back to me 4 days later with a bogus answer that there isn't enough traffic for them to add it. It just happen to be one of the groups that files I wanted were there. And low a behold Giganews had access to it.
I am sorry if I was misunderstood .... I just said I have tried a bunch of different usenet providers and Giganews is my preference. And if you have had a bad experience with Giganews , use what you like.
And saying all that Hypatia... what UseNet provider do you use??
I've been using AW but their problems are starting get to me, however I think I still will be using them anyway, mostly because there are just 2 other providers that have the same retention, and they are Highwinds(resellers) and giganews(supernews). I won't pay Highwinds a dime, ever, and supernews is not friendly to uploaders.
Atm I'm thinking of getting supernews account for downloads and keeping AW block account for uploads. It seems reasonable enough. But I would really prefer to stay with AW.
They've got a really serious problem this time.. After new stuff is uploaded\ propagated from another provider at first everything is fine however within X hours or days AW farms start loosing a large amount of articles for reasons unknown.Some stuff can still be repaired but mostly can't. They'd better identify this otherwise everything is gonna be affected from now on and it will get much worse. I sent them email with sample nzb and stuff like that,well, we'll see if they manage to fix this.
I just have a few Questions...Quote:
Originally Posted by Hypatia
You mention AW block for Uploads? Do you support somewhere and upload NZB's ? I am assuming you meant download for both.
You mention a Propagated issue- I haven't found any one provider that doesn't have this problem one way or another. That's why I mentions a offshore account I find they have less of this issue , or I wait a little bit longer and usually it is all there with one of the providers I use.
You mention Retention- How far do you really have to go back ? Giganews goes back over 6 years. Even with them there is limitations on certain binary groups that all you get is air when you go back that far ,thinking the upload could have gotten corrupt or it was removed. And Its just not there , on any provider I have found and used. So again how far do you really need to go back??
Supernews vs Giganews - I have used both Supernews (2357 days binary retention) vs Giganews (2367 days binary retention) they are pretty close , but when you use both they is no comparison Giganews is way more reliable on every level on basics (forget the extra crap as you said) . If you think about it , they control both , if Giganews allowed anyone to be equivalent , how the hell could charge what they charge. They are better off to close Giganews and flood the market with Supernews
That is just my thought. Take it or Leave it
In stead of keeping North American providers only , try one of these ....
EWEKA
XS USENET
I use both (switch back and forth every couple of months) and they are fair priced (cheaper than giganews) and I have had great success by reducing to use shitty torrents to find what I want. Or do some research and test a few out yourself. No one has a gun to your head on what you do , and you can cancel a service anytime you want.
DMCA or Takedowns - The problem here is I don't know if something was uploaded to the newsgroup servers a long time back can still be removed if spotted. I am not a technical guy on this subject , but if you try multiple UseNet providers and the files are not there , they are just not there. But I have been lucky with the 2 offshore providers I have suggested and you can choose what you want to do yourself. And to avoid takedowns if you can find a provider that doesn't have them sooner or later , let me know.
I really have found that Astraweb can be temperamental and Giganews more consistent. They both get spurts on takedowns , nothing you can do.
Have to echo Hypatia's sentiments here, I won't support UNS' current practices. So that precludes Eweka and XS Usenet :(
However, if you know which server/backbone your favorite poster's content originates from, you *could* get a subscription with that provider. Wouldn't have to wait 15-20 minutes for propagation. Probably pretty cheaply too.
Many servers no longer list a 'trace' in their headers, although both Astra and Giga both still do; I believe all of the Highwinds no longer do ( definatly Blocknews doesn't).
How do they deal with spammers, CP posters etc without X-Trace then?Quote:
Originally Posted by Beck38
Just because they hide it from their users doesn't mean it doesn't exist somewhere 'in the system'.
So what is the benefit (not being a smart ass I really don't know , and would like too?)??Quote:
Originally Posted by Beck38
And how do you use this information for our benefit??
What software do you need to search or benefit??
I have been doing this for many years and I am old school and I really don't look into who owns who or any of that stuff. It is not going to change If something isn't working the way you want , I do some research on the net or other NZB sites and I try out new providers That they suggest , local or offshore , and some work for a short time and some work longer. I am not locked in to who I use I don't owe them and they don't owe me , so yes , it is a little inconvenient , but think of what we are doing here , it is not all Kosher... Plus someone enlighten me that I am in Canada , so when an a American show is posted (and it is amazing I never see a takedown on a UK or Australian show ,or movie , and I download some , Hmmmmm), there is a different time zone in the UK or Australia or Europe , so if there is a takedown , Us in north America we have a better chance of beating the takedown and getting the movie or show we want.
I remember reading along time ago (someone can correct me if it changed) these host servers are not just used for this shit. These severs are used to store bank information , stock information ,etc. etc. , and companies pay for chunks of the server to store there information , and block it out for everyone they don't want to access it. I would think it is the same instance , some providers unblock the access , and some don't . But it still doesn't change that you have to find a provider that gives you what you want. And don't forget even in the older days when you loaded all the headers , there was corrupt files then , and anyone who goes back 6 years it happens. Thank G-D for re-posters!!. And you are seeing a lot more multiple post (maybe not here as much but private or paid nzb sites) of these shows and movies and they are posting them in various binary groups with different names. That is helping.
Thanks Beck38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beck38
Here is the real question to ask?????
Does someone know which web site is actually , really doing all of the work first , by making and posting the original "NZB" link from the binary group itself (there has to be a origin)??
I would have to assume there is a group that is scouting the raw binaries simply because the names of the files are out in left field now , I also assume the only way would be the NFO file located with it. how else is it possible???
I think that would be great information and if the price was right I would join there in a heartbeat.
I believe any newsreader that lists the headers (with the routing information) in any reasonable plan-text way shows it, at least any that I've ever used, will show the originating server, all the servers it jumped through (remember, usenet is an electronic bucket-brigade) until it gets to the server you are on.
What Hypatia was saying is, if you have or know some poster who posts on 'x', you could get an account on that server and be 'first in line' so to speak to grab things before they have to get propagated and whacked or whatever. May or may not actually work, and better than simply waiting for it to show up on you 'favorite' server, as if all the propagation is working right it will take maybe two hours to get around the globe.
The 'power-post' type poster programs and their variants pre-generate the nzb's and post them (unless you specifically halt that posting). Posting programs like JBinUp DON'T pre-generate the nzb but wait until the parts are posted (and verified) and then it takes specific actions of the operator (human) to generate and save off the nzb, then post (either by JBinUp or by another program (like power-post). In either case, that nzb may be posted off-set by usenet group (space), time, or both. Or neither.
I've seem folks who post part of the rar archive in one group, then parts in another, then the nzb in a third. With the password found only on a 'private' pay-site. Or not.
IF a binary search site gets all the parts, or the server you use does, then you're good to go to generate it up (again, most newsreaders do this). But usenet is generally not that 'good', and x parts will be MIA, and hopefully there's more than enough pars to fill in the gaps.
This of course is without all the takedown nonsense. I post 2TB/month on average, and only twice has anything been taken down; it was re-posted within a week, and still exists on all the servers that I monitor, to this day (same 'name', interestingly). One of those was the nzb's but not the actual binary item (go figure). So apparently they simply whack it once and don't ever re-search for it ever again. Folks who complain apparently haven't figured this out. Same with those who post things that will disappear within a few ticks of a clock (pay per view pro-wrestling is a sure goner), so I don't know what those folks simply have the archive saved off on a drive somewhere and re-post it a couple days later. Or maybe they do and I simply haven't noticed.
But since they don't do the most simplest obfuscation techniques, they figure the 'auto-grab' systems work just fine. But I don't get the thinking; all that work over the years to get retention up to the 7+ years was what, not worth it?
Have dropped AStra and moved to newshosting.
At this point, probably a good idea.
ive been having a lot of problems with anything i download being incomplete...reading this seems to make more sense now, will give some of the suggestions a bash and see...thanks all
So as things are at the moment , torrents are the most reliable way to download files . I only use usenet when there are not enough seeders for something old .
Usenet is great and work, you have just BAD nzb source (public source which get DMCAed) plus astra, you need to find better source, alo other usp not this astra crap :-)