I was looking to install Elsword (an F2P game) to try later; and discovered that it uses what is basically a customized bittorrent client, Pando Media Booster, to help with the installation download. After some searching, I've also found that
Pando will upload a copy to its server and send an email to the addressee together with an attached file with the “.pando” extension, which contains the necessary data to locate the file and download it. Exactly the same as a torrent. Next you must install the Pando Media Booster software to proceed with the download. The content download status will be updated at the bottom of the Welcome screen. Once the content is downloaded you must click Yes to continue with the installation. To begin the installation, click Next on this first install screen. The text above is not a piece of advice to remove Pando Media Booster by Pando Networks Inc. From your computer, we are not saying that Pando Media Booster by Pando Networks Inc. Is not a good software application. Pando Media Booster is a small application that accelerates the download of large games and software through Pando Content Delivery Cloud. But, the installation cannot proceed now to download additional components as Pando Media Booster is not available anymore as the parent company Pando has shut its business and the link for it. Aug 24, 2011 Enjoy. The link: If you have problems or need help just post a comment.
- PMB is used in several other F2P games such as LoL, LotRO etc.
- It does not show up in notification bar and silently continues to leech upload bandwidth, with many posts suggesting to uninstall it asap after game download is completed
- It is safe to delete once the actual full installer has been downloaded. I read about some games reinstalling PMB to download updates, but presumably that would prompt you for permission again
I have decided to take a chance and install Elsword and LoL followed by uninstalling PMB asap. However, considering it seems to be borderline shady, I have a few questions:
- Is there some way to download these games without using PMB? (could not find one in a quick search)
- Are there any specifics to be aware of when uninstalling; in case it is really persistent about trying to hide
- Where can I find a complete list of games using it; so that I can install any I'm interested in at one time before removing PMB (or ignore them).
AlokAlok1 Answer
1) Download alternatives usually depend on whether or not the publisher desires to provide any, though a google search should usually return possible sources.
2) To make sure anything Pando related, after uninstalling, check the location you decided to install PMB (usually c:/program files) for any leftover files and remove them. Another thing you can do is do a complete drive search for 'pando' or the likes.As a third step, you should probably run a registry and drive cleaner to clear leftover registry and other references to PMB.Consider How to best manually uninstall a program in windows7/vista.
3) I checked Pando's site, but seeing as there's no complete list of their clients there, here are some of the more 'popular' publishers using PMB. This means that most if not all of their games use PMB.
- Turbine
- NCSoft
- Riot Games
- Perfect World Entertainment
- GPotato
- GamersFirst
Most of these have an alternative in Steam or other download locations.
Pando Networks Media Booster
