Thread: Can I reseed old files downloaded from one tracker to another?

Sorry to keep posting in the help section but you are all so knowledgeable.

I have a ton of old files I have downloaded off various trackers. I am not seeding them anymore but was wondering if I could seed them to the private trackers I am now a part of. However the file names are not identical nor are the file sizes in some cases (although they are close).

1) Can I seed these to other trackers having not downloaded them from there?

2) Do the file sizes and names have to be identical? Can I just change the file name to match?



3) If I can do this could someone point me to a guide about how to do it?

Much appreciated.

well m8 if file type and size is not same then you cannot and don't rename the files...
Remember if you have old movies with scene release you can seed them but I don't think you will get much of upload this way... :(

The files have to be identical (names, sizes, everything) if you want to use them to seed already existing torrents, but you can always make a new torrent and upload the files you have (provided that your new torrent follows tracker's rules of course) as such.

1. Yes u can most certainly seed your old downloaded files at the trackers your apart of now without downloading. As long as its the same exact torrent u will not have a problem.

2. The file size dont necessarily have to be the same to do this. The reason why is some trackers include > txt, nfo's, jpeg, sample, etc.. in there releases and other trackers dont, which in turn makes the file sizes different. However, again they need to be the same exact torrent though for it to work. Changing them will not make a difference cause of the hash.

3. I cant point u to any guide, but If u try to do this by changing the files around there will be problems. Basically just go look for the same exact torrent and u will be fine. There are guides on here for cross-seeding but im pretty sure u knew that already.

Originally Posted by MikeD

2. The file size dont necessarily have to be the same to do this. The reason why is some trackers include > txt, nfo's, jpeg, sample, etc.. in there releases and other trackers dont, which in turn makes the file sizes different. However, again they need to be the same exact torrent though for it to work. Changing them will not make a difference cause of the hash.

Indeed so, if the main file is the same, other files like nfo's, samples and similar can be missing (in that case you will be required only to download the missing files, which are usually small in size, to be able to seed complete copy). In case you have excess files, e.g. you have sample of the movie and movie itself and the torrent you intend to use has only movie without sample you can simply start seeding it and it will disregard surplus files since they aren't required or wanted.

Originally Posted by MikeD

3. I cant point u to any guide, but If u try to do this by changing the files around there will be problems. Basically just go look for the same exact torrent and u will be fine. There are guides on here for cross-seeding but im pretty sure u knew that already.

Just to clear one thing out. It's not the torrent that must be identical to cross-seed, it's the data. Each private tracker has its torrents specially modified so they can only be used with that tracker, so you'll be required to download a torrent from the site you want to seed your files too and refer it to the directory where the same files are on your disk.

I would also point you to this guide: ReScene - Rebuild Extracted Scene Releases Into Rars | THE source for BitTorrent & P2P Tips, Tricks and Info. | FileShareFreak

I haven't tried it myself but it basically describes how you can rebuild the .rar archives found on many trackers if you only have the .iso or .avi files. Once you have rebuilt the rars from these other files, you can then seed the release on another tracker (as long as the release itself is by the exact same release group).

1) Can I seed these to other trackers having not downloaded them from there?

Not only can you, but you should. It's a great way to be economical with your hard drive and help your ratio out because you are not downloading anything. It's all upload for the additional tracker that you add the files to.

Edit: Be sure to check your trackers rules first. There might be some trackers out there that, for whatever reason, don't want this.

2) Do the file sizes and names have to be identical? Can I just change the file name to match?

File Size - for individual files, it matters. It needs to be the same data (as mentioned by NamelessOne). But, the file name does not matter. You can just rename it. If you need the old name too, then just make a copy of the files and rename the other set according to the additional tracker. Of course, if you don't have .nfo file etc as MikeD mention, that is fine. You don't need to have every file. It's just that the files that you do have need to be the same.

3) If I can do this could someone point me to a guide about how to do it?

The general idea is as follows. You download the original .torrent and files. The download completes. Then, you download the new .torrent file. When you open it in your client, uncheck start download (this and the rest of my directions are for utorrent 2.0, but I imagine the other clients must have a similar options). The new .torrent file should show up on your list of active torrents (upper half of the screen). Select the new .torrent and click on the option for files (on the bottom half of the screen). Select the files here that you have matching files for. Right click while keeping those files selected and click relocate. Then, locate the place that your files are located. Make sure that the individual files here are named the exact same as the files that the new .torrent wants. Ok out of this. Then, go to your new .utorrent file in the active torrents area and right click to re-check. The files section should fill up (I believe it goes from red to blue). If it does, then you do in fact has the same files and all is well. Then you just start the new .torrent file. The key is to make sure taht the file name is the exact same.