This part of the tutorial covers finding files, understanding download performance, importing unfinished transfers and managing servers. It updates several recommendations from the original Spanish article.
Use search results carefully
Even an improved search tool can return misleading filenames, damaged files or results with very few available sources. Consider several signals together:
- Available sources: more sources can improve the chance of completing a transfer, but do not guarantee quality or safety.
- Filename and size: check the stated language, format and file type. Treat an unexpected executable as a warning sign.
- Publisher and origin: compare a shared link with the publisher's own information where possible. A website address inside a filename is not an endorsement.
- Comments: reports of corrupt or mislabelled files are useful warnings, but comments can also be wrong.
- Permission: choose files you have the right to obtain and share.
The original article treated particular release-group names and website references as quality guarantees. This edition removes those assurances: neither establishes what a download actually contains.
What affects download speed?
eMule cannot make an unavailable source appear or guarantee the full speed of your Internet connection. Source availability, each peer's upload capacity and your position in remote queues all affect progress.
- Allow enough connected time for queues to progress; running the program continuously is optional.
- Leave enough upload capacity free for ordinary browsing and connection control.
- Check that the TCP and UDP ports selected in your client match the rules in your firewall and router.
- Choose a manageable number of legitimate downloads instead of assuming a fixed number always makes transfers faster.
- Share deliberately and only from folders you intend other users to access.
The old guide gave fixed port numbers and included the web-interface port. Use the ports actually configured in your client; do not expose a remote-management interface just to fix Low ID. See the Low ID checklist.
Import unfinished downloads
eMule provides an import tool for compatible unfinished downloads from older eMule or eDonkey installations. Back up the original temporary files first, then use the import option available in your version. Do not rename or move active temporary files while a client is writing to them.
Manage the server list
You can add servers in two ways: import a maintained server.met URL, or enter an individual server address and port manually. An installed client may contain an old list, so check the source and update it rather than assuming every entry still works.
The server and Kad guide explains the current updater and how to bootstrap Kad. Once connected, Kad provides a decentralised way to discover sources without relying on a central server.
Return to the complete eMule manual for installation and first-run settings.