Do download accelerators do any good?

[DougC-3]

Anybody know a good freeware or shareware download accelerator that works?  

I have a dialup connection and, if the file I'm downloading is more than 6 MB, the download is usually interrupted before it's completed.  I've only had this trouble with one site, but it's the only one I've got big files from lately...  and I'm charged for it even if it's incomplete . I've checked with my local ISP, and they swear they never time out downloads.  Surely the company I'm buying the files from wouldn't time me out ???.  

I usually do the bigger files on my computer at work (direct connection) and don't have any problems, but lately, it says I don't have permission to "open" them on my own computer, and they don't download at all!!  (This is not coming from administrators at my end, but seems to be something that configured itself in my PC.  A support person spent 2 hours trying to figure it out today.)... and once more, the charges have already been deducted from my credit card, and language problems with the site prevent getting it rectifed .  

[_526th_Fireman]

Hi Doug,

Well, I too am on 56k and have tried three free download accelerators. 1] Flashget, 2] Star Downloader and 3] DAP (Download Accelerator Plus) DAP is the one I have stuck with, for now. All download at the same rate, none is faster than the other. DAP just seems more user friendly and has a bit more info and options.

As far as actually downloading faster than the default sys. downloader, yes they are a bit faster. But you are not going to see a huge improvement. Most of these programs check for "Mirrored Sites". If there were more mirrored sites found, then the program will download from the faster and better sites. In short, they work but not a BIG improvement. But my attitude is, anything that helps on this 56k for downloading speeds is worth it since it is free. Here is DAP's site: http://www.downloadaccelerator.com/DAPDL.asp?FromUpdate

For Flashget or Star Downloader, they can probably be found at the same location DAP directs you to. Znet or Cnet for the downloads.

Good luck.

[Craig.]

getright is pretty good
i think its called that since i have gotten new internet havent needed but it did work fine when i had it

[DougC-3]

Thanks for the input, fellows.  We tried Flashget today and it seems to have solved the interrupted download problem somehow and sped things up a bit .  If anybody has any more info about these programs, I'm all ears "8)".

[_526th_Fireman]

Hey Doug,

Been awhile since I used Flashget. Don't know if it has one option that DAP has that I like very much.

Some sites, you will find, won't let you use your Download Accelerator. With Star Downloader you were stuck. With DAP, it gives you an option button at the start to download "Regular" or download "Accelerated". When I run into a site that for what ever reason I can't use the Accelerator program, I just hit the download button again and select the "Regular" download option. All is well.

Flashget might have that option too, can't remember.

[BFMF]

I use Getright

[Biggles]

One think to note. I originally used Flashget but I was told by someone on SimV that it was equipped with Spyware.
Biggles

[Daz]

yeah when i was on 56k (ahh back in the good old days of slow internet sorry) i used get right it splits the file up into 2 parts or maybe 3 then downloads them all and i saw an increase in speed when downloading them i remember you could resume downloads aswell which helped a lot especially with big files. btw are there any accelerators for broadband? just  wondering