June 03, 2008 by sharky
RapidShare Happy Hours
The RapidShare Happy Hours are periods of time whereby all downloads are free of CAPTCHA and delayed-downloading. Apparently there is no ’set’ time when the Happy Hours begin or end (it’s indicative on server loads), it does offer almost Premium-like access to downloading. The catch? After completing a download, you’ll evidently still have to wait an undetermined amount of time to download your next file (about 5 minutes). Not only that, but you’ll not be able to select a particular server (so it’s a crap-shoot where you’re getting it from) and we’ve noticed this to negatively affect the download speeds. Here’s the blurb from RapidShare:
"As every free user should have noticed, we are experimenting once again with the CAPTCHA system. The reason is that RapidShare is popular enough for people to create tools to download from RapidShare as a free user as if they were a premium user. This has a negative impact for our paying premium users, since they expect a fast download. On the other hand we are also experimenting with happy hours again. When our servers have enough spare bandwidth, we will make it easier for free users to download from RapidShare, knowing that this also makes it possible again to automatically download files with those tools. Right now the RapidShare Happy Hours will disable the download tickets and the captchas completely."
To see if it’s "Happy Hour" time, look for this message on the RapidShare page:
‘RapidShare Happy Hours’ Addon for Firefox:
— This little plugin for Firefox will display a message in the bottom of the browser when Happy Hours are active. Download it here - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/7353.
So what REALLY works to beat RapidShare?
Figuring out a method to successfully beat RapidShare is an age-old conundrum. Some RapidShare hacks (software) will automate the downloading via multiple proxies, parallel downloads, and other multi-tasking scenarios; there are even websites that allow you to use their RS Premium accounts.
Recently RS has resorted to making their CAPTCHA more difficult in an effort to thwart auto-downloading programs & scripts. Not to be outdone, some developers have fought back and released next-gen software & services, yet none can hack the new "Cats & Dogs" Captcha.
RapidShare Third-Party Tools (Software)
There has been a boatload of tools that have come to surface in order to get ‘Premium’ services at not-so-premium pricing. We won’t list them all - but these RS softwares actually DO work:
- • CryptLoad
- • RapGet
- • TheGrabber
- • USDownloader
CryptLoad
CryptLoad is a next-gen Download Manager that supports a variety of 1-click file hosting sites, including RS, RapidShare.de, RapidSafe.de, MegaUpload, NetLoad.in. Features include:
- — Multi-part ‘clipboard’ pasting - Simply hi-light and ‘copy’ all of the DDL links on a page - they’ll automatically be added to CryptLoad.
- — Automatic Router ‘reconnecting’ - Users can add their router through the program’s settings, or if it’s not listed, look for it here.
- — Parallel Downloading; Support for external Captcha recognition software (FineReader, AutoImager); Proxy support; RS Collectors Zone account support; Plugins; Direct *.CCF downloading (i.e. from http://crypt-it.com links); Crypted Link support (rapidsafe.de & others).
Our Tests: CryptLoad works great during the "RS Happy Hours" for all users, but it doesn’t work for non-premium accounts (aka…free) during non-Happy Hour times (presently, it can’t beat the new RS "Cat & Dog" captcha system, but they’re working on it).
Notes: CryptLoad is best for users who have a Dynamic IP connection.
Copy/Paste Support: |
Crypt-It ‘CCF’ Links: |
Non-Happy Hours: |
RapGet
RapGet is another all-in-one Download Manager that supports almost all of the major 1-click hosting sites (68 in total). While it doesn’t offer to ‘hack’ RapidShare’s wait times or Captcha, it does offer users a great way of knowing when the next file will be ready for DL, and automates the process. Other features:
- — Pasting multiple links; parallel (simultaneous) downloading; Event Scheduler;
- — Proxy Support; "Premium" account support; Browser integration (IE and Opera).
Our Tests: We couldn’t get RapGet to work in non-Happy Hour times, either. Must be the captcha.
Note: If you want to do simultaneous downloading, you’ll need to change the "Max" downloads for each host in Settings > Servers. By default, all hosts are only set to receive one file at a time:
The Grabber 1.4.8
CMSZone’s The Grabber is a download tool for both RapidShare.com and RapidShare.de. Download it from here. Since it allows you to use multiple proxies, you can download multiple files simultaneously (parallel downloads) and forward them to your "Download Manager". The Catch? You’ll need to add/import your own (list of) working proxies. TIP: This Google Search will find proxy lists in text format. And this search will help you find sites that offer fresh proxy lists.
It’s been noted that Grabber doesn’t work during Non-Happy Hour times due to the new Captcha, but they’re currently working on an update for this. However, there is one workaround for the "Cats & Dogs" captcha - it’s a good enough solution until the program gets updated:
When it finds a proxy it likes and the cat pic loads, click the cat pic….on the lower right you’ll see a SAVE button….click the save button and it will create a page_dump.htm in your CMS Grabber installation folder…BEFORE you double click the .htm file, *change* your browsers settings to the same proxy/port that CMS Grabber found a download ticket for. Then double click the dump.htm file and it will open a browser window with a download ticket timeout of 2 mins….enter the Cat letters for the pic when the server download page loads and click download and you’re GOOD TO GO.
Notes: Here’s how The Grabber works. (See the entire documentation here). Also, here’s an interesting article on The Grabber as well.
US Downloader
Universal Share Downloader from Dimonius.ru is configured to work with more than a hundred free hosting services, including the most popular ones like RapidShare, MegaUpload and YouSendIt. It can also be integrated into Firefox (with the FlashGot extension) and Internet Explorer, plus monitor the Windows Clipboard for copied download links. Some other interesting features are compatibility with proxy servers, the ability to schedule tasks, support for remote control and automatic program updates. Download it from here or here.
Our Notes: US Downloader works well during both "Happy Hours" and non-Happy Hours (see more on this below). What’s great about USD is that you don’t need to visit the RapidShare site to download during non-Happy Hours - you can do it all through the program.
How it works (during ‘Non-Happy Hours’): Find and copy some RapidShare links from your favourite DDL website. "Paste" it into US Downloader - you’ll be presented with a screen with the annoying RS "Cats & Dogs" Captcha - simply enter in the correct code.
After entering the Captcha, you’ll reserve a ‘download ticket’ (see below). Downloading will begin shortly.
If you pasted multiple files, USD will move on to the next one in the list as soon as the current file has completed downloading, and present you with the next Captcha image.
If all these programs are too much work for you, why not try an online approach through RapidShare Premium Link Generators.
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