Chaos Project

General => Chat => Topic started by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 03:53:29 pm

Title: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 03:53:29 pm
Do not download from coolrom, ever.
They forced me to use their own downloader to get a PS1 game, and it installed some fucking bad shit that makes these dumb hyperlink ads appear all over every website I visit so they can get ad revenue.

Like, really, just boycott them. I'm usually against the concept of boycotting (because I find it stupid), but this is fucking ridiculous.

EDIT:
Forgot to mention it installed something called Optimizer Pro without me knowing.
You know, one of those programs that says your computer is leaking out its ass with threats, when in reality, it's not.

Boy, I was confident I didn't need virus protection, because I now have a very good grasp of internet security.
Coolrom was one of those websites I felt was safe, but not fucking anymore! Time to get some protection on this fucking bitch.

Here is a list of alternate ROM sites you can use that are recommended by the community.

Emuparadise (http://emuparadise.me)
* Covers just about every system except Wii and Original Xbox
* Limits parallel downloads (increases amounts and speeds if you're premium, $2 a month)
* Offers ROM packs for numerous systems
* Overall a good site

The ISO Zone (http://www.theisozone.com/)
* Decent site if you're looking for Original Xbox games
* Has horribly slow and limited file host (unless you become premium, minimum $4.99 a month)

Romulation (http://www.romulation.net/)
* Good site if you're looking for Wii games
* Limits parallel downloads and speeds horribly (Unless premium, $10 a month, $20 three months, $30 six months)

The Old Computer (http://www.theoldcomputer.com/index.php)
* Good site overall and covers a handful of systems, great place to go to for PC Abandonware
* Also offers box art, a definite plus
* Limits parallel downloads and speeds as a guest, as a free member it increases a little bit
* As an unlimited member ($10 lifetime) you get unlimited speed and 25 parallel connections and access to ROM packs and other various parts of their site

If you have any other ROM sites to suggest, feel free to. We'll check it out and add it to the list.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: stripe103 on February 02, 2014, 03:55:53 pm
Yeah I noticed it a few days ago too. Every time there is a download that requires a program to download, I go to another site for it. No good ever comes from that. The only reason they would do it is to install additional software that you don't want.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 03:59:43 pm
Yeah, I dunno.
I just assumed it'd be safe, like CNET's downloader is (it actually lets me choose to uninstall stuff, rather than installing things without me ever knowing), because I trusted Coolrom. Oh well.


Also, I've updated the original post.
Quote from: Colonel Blinx on February 02, 2014, 03:53:29 pm
EDIT:
Forgot to mention it installed something called Optimizer Pro without me knowing.
You know, one of those programs that says your computer is leaking out its ass with threats, when in reality, it's not.

Boy, I was confident I didn't need virus protection, because I now have a very good grasp of internet security.
Coolrom was one of those websites I felt was safe, but not fucking anymore! Time to get some protection on this fucking bitch.

Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Zexion on February 02, 2014, 04:01:49 pm
Did this just happen? o.o that's actually where I get everything lol
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 04:06:26 pm
I dunno when they brought in the downloader, but I wanted to get a PS1 game, and it was the only option (maybe I missed the other one, I dunno).

Download this, I dare you:
http://coolrom.com/roms/psx/39539/Pac-Man_World.php

Just watch how unbearable your internet browsing becomes.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Zexion on February 02, 2014, 04:08:53 pm
Click the link under DOWNLOAD NOW. It says "Alternative download link (with ads and timer)" it is the original way to download files. I guess they must have changed it up, but for now that is still there
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 04:13:43 pm
At this point, that is entirely irrelevant, and I hope that is not a defense of their shittiness.

This is inexcusable, especially after what they said about it on their FAQ:
QuoteOur downloader is an executable program that makes your download process much faster (by directly downloading the file and accelerating download speed) and ensures the file is virus-free. In order for us to continue providing the best emulation experience, we may show you sponsored offers prior to the download step.


Keep using them if you want, but seriously?
They said it'd ensure the file is virus-free, yet I GOT VIRUSES.
Also, what the fuck? It's downloading the same exact file that's on their servers, just in a different way... how in the fuck would the amount of viruses attached to it be any different?
Really, somebody, anybody, explain this to me. I do not understand.

What it looks like to me, is that they're trying to bait people into getting adware on their systems.
I am never going to support their stupid asses ever again.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Zexion on February 02, 2014, 04:21:58 pm
I think that the virus comes from the installer itself and not the rom. Therefor downloading it from the alternate link is safer. I do agree that it is dumb of them to "ensure the file is virus-free" yet inject a virus anyway, buuuut cool rom has tons of roms and I'm pretty used to it so meh

Spoiler: ShowHide
Btw, I didn't caps DOWNLOAD NOW to be a douche :P I just did it because it is actually all capitol lol
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 04:25:38 pm
Quote from: Zexion on February 02, 2014, 04:21:58 pm
I think that the virus comes from the installer itself and not the rom.


I know it came from the downloader, I was just questioning their stupid logic on the FAQ page.

That's my entire point about boycotting their asses, really:
When looking at the FAQ entry, it becomes blatantly obvious that they're purposely baiting people into getting adware installed onto their computers, so damn-near every link they click brings them to some virus-ridden website. All for what, ad revenue? That is shady. That is dirty. That is despicable.

Also, I know you weren't trying to be a douche. If I came off as being mad at you, I'm sorry. :)
Really, it wasn't my intention. Just a tad bit irritated with this coolrom thing, even if I have wiped the shit they sprayed all over my computer.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: WhiteRose on February 02, 2014, 04:27:46 pm
I hate websites that do this. Definitely awful. The worst is if they make it a big pain to get rid of the virus software stuff once its on your computer.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 04:30:10 pm
Yeah, seriously. It's annoying.

Thankfully, I just had to install malwarebytes, run a scan, and remove the threats.
Bam, gone. No more ad revenue going coolrom's way from me... those fucking assholes.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Blizzard on February 02, 2014, 04:32:59 pm
I think that Internet advertising has become quite ridiculous. Not only have I sometimes looked baffled at the screen for a minute until I figured out WHICH of the 20 goddamn "DOWNLOAD HERE" texts was the actual download link and then said "fuck this shit" and found another site to download, but I have also encountered downloaders that install shit on your PC without you knowing. It's horrible.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Zexion on February 02, 2014, 04:34:48 pm
http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.coolrom.com

Yeah I think everyone is mad about this o.o

Edit: Also, might wanna change your passwords on social media lol
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on February 02, 2014, 04:34:57 pm
I agree.

Quote from: Blizzard on February 02, 2014, 04:32:59 pm
but I have also encountered downloaders that install shit on your PC without you knowing.


And now coolrom's downloader joins the list.
Even when I was about to download the ROM, it presented "optional" downloads to me, and I said no to them.
And in return, I got, well... you all read the topic.

Quote from: Zexion on February 02, 2014, 04:34:48 pm
http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.coolrom.com

Yeah I think everyone is mad about this o.o


Yeah, I was on there earlier to see if my problems could be traced back to the coolrom downloader.
I was correct.

EDIT:
So, yeah, I'm going to make an opinion/rant video on it eventually.
Here's the one I did on King.com trademarking the word candy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5tp3aC19x4

EDIT 2:
Good God!
Turns out the shit they installed prevented my portable HDD from being recognized by Windows, as well.

After wiping away their pestilence, it now works! Thank fucking God...
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Holyrapid on February 08, 2014, 10:55:37 am
Unless it was a PS2 or PS1 game or i wanted to download a pack of games at once from torrent (torrenting ISO files is much faster at least for me than DDL) and i mostly got my stuff from CR... I guess no more if they have viruses and adware and other shit like that.

If the sitejabber link is anything to go by, the daware installation etc. came to be between October and December...
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Holyrapid on March 07, 2014, 03:12:29 pm
Since CR still has this shit going on over a month since the thread was started, and i honestly had no expectations of them removing it, what would be a good site to get the roms from? Or should i stick to torrents... I hear emuparadise often cited as a good site, but for some reason i've never quite liked their sites design at least, and they have dozens (ok, that may be exaggerating it for the most part) of unneeded downloads for the same game. I get regional stuff, but when there's two or three of the basically same... I dunno... Seems somewhat dubious to me... :/
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Blizzard on March 07, 2014, 04:06:09 pm
I have had no problems with emuparadise so far, but it's been a while since I downloaded something from them.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: G_G on March 07, 2014, 04:32:22 pm
Emuparadise is great and while I don't usually pay for premium, it's only a measly 2 dollars a month and you get up to 10 parallel downloads and unlimited download speed. But before the bashing goes on or anything, you know cool rom offers alternative downloads, right?

It's right under the "Download Now" and the ad is only 10-15 seconds. Just downloaded a PSX ROM from them just now because I couldn't find it on Emuparadise. Just don't buy into their whole "virus free" shit. Because it doesn't make any sense for them to be hosting a file and then telling people "it may contain viruses but if you download it through a secondary program there won't be any viruses".

(http://puu.sh/7mDXf.png)
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: WhiteRose on March 07, 2014, 08:10:55 pm
Quote from: Blizzard on March 07, 2014, 04:06:09 pm
I have had no problems with emuparadise so far, but it's been a while since I downloaded something from them.


Emuparadise is usually my go-to site as well.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: G_G on March 07, 2014, 10:00:13 pm
If anyone is looking for Wii ISOs, however, Emuparadise isn't a great place. I recommend romulation.net, but other than that, Emuparadise should have just about everything you need. (Other than OG Xbox ISOs, which most sites don't seem to have).
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on March 10, 2014, 02:09:28 pm
Quote from: gameus on March 07, 2014, 10:00:13 pm
(Other than OG Xbox ISOs, which most sites don't seem to have).


Sadly (and I seriously mean this is sad), The ISO Zone (http://www.theisozone.com) is the best place to get OG Xbox ISOs.
I hate that website... downloads are sooooo slow. Oh well.

EDIT:

Quote from: gameus on March 07, 2014, 04:32:22 pm
But before the bashing goes on or anything, you know cool rom offers alternative downloads, right?


I think most of us know that, and it was even discussed up above. :P

I'm going to say it again:
If they are willing to bait people into using their downloader so they can infect their computer with viruses and shit just so they can get ad revenue, they do not deserve any traffic from anybody at all. Yes, the alternative download link exists, but nobody should even bother using it.

For fuck's sake, people, just go use one of the many better sites out there that do not try to trick you into getting a virtual STD so they can fill their wallets.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Crasger on April 17, 2014, 06:03:48 am
While we're on that specific topic, which ROM site is the best, nowadays?

Emuparadise? As they were all saying earlier, at least. NES roms, to be specific.
Man, I miss when CoolROM wasn't like that. I really do wonder what drove them to that dangerous move. It really fucking sucks.

Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Josey on April 17, 2014, 08:15:51 am
Quote from: Crasger on April 17, 2014, 06:03:48 am
While we're on that specific topic, which ROM site is the best, nowadays?



I still use the same site that I have always used and they have no download scripts, no voting and no advertising anywhere on the site.  It has to be the best kept secret around.  http://www.theoldcomputer.com has more roms and emulators than any site I have visited but they do sometimes suffer from download speed.  That said I loved coolrom before this change was made, now I agree that the adverts and download scripts have buggered it up.  :roll:
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Tazero on April 17, 2014, 10:52:20 am
Quote from: Colonel Blinx on February 02, 2014, 03:59:43 pm
Yeah, I dunno.
I just assumed it'd be safe, like CNET's downloader is (it actually lets me choose to uninstall stuff, rather than installing things without me ever knowing), because I trusted Coolrom. Oh well.


Also, I've updated the original post.
Quote from: Colonel Blinx on February 02, 2014, 03:53:29 pm
EDIT:
Forgot to mention it installed something called Optimizer Pro without me knowing.
You know, one of those programs that says your computer is leaking out its ass with threats, when in reality, it's not.

Boy, I was confident I didn't need virus protection, because I now have a very good grasp of internet security.
Coolrom was one of those websites I felt was safe, but not fucking anymore! Time to get some protection on this fucking bitch.




You do realize (This was my problem) They grey out the Decline on all the software they install so it seems like you can only accept but I clicked DECLINE D:< and nothing new for me o-o;;
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Crasger on April 18, 2014, 06:31:21 am
Quote from: Josey on April 17, 2014, 08:15:51 am
 http://www.theoldcomputer.com has more roms and emulators than any site I have visited but they do sometimes suffer from download speed.  


Went there, it looks cool and trustworthy, has tons of things I was looking for (and then some). But CoolROM kept things organized though, it was a bit confusing to navigate at first, with that giant clickable image telling me to donate to have a premium membership. If only CoolROM hadn't made that dreadful change.

Also, apparently a friend of mine used the download manager and didn't get anything bad from it. He still trusts CoolROM and thinks his laptop (of which is recently broken down due to a broken charger and him overclocking it) is virus free. Fool. It's not really about whether or not he gets a virus, but as the OP said: "Sites like that don't deserve the traffic. "
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on April 22, 2014, 01:54:19 pm
.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Crasger on April 22, 2014, 10:33:31 pm
Needs more views.

The people need to be well-informed about this situation!

Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: WhiteRose on April 23, 2014, 05:08:41 am
Quote from: Colonel Blinx on April 22, 2014, 01:54:19 pm
demand rose


You demand me? D:

On topic: Definitely a worth-while video; I'll send some views your way if I find anyone who asks about ROM sites. :)
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: KK20 on April 23, 2014, 11:55:45 am
I'm hoping my teacher in Computing Ethics decides to have a discussion on this issue. I've written a suggestion to him along with searching "CoolROM virus" for further information.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on April 23, 2014, 12:10:11 pm
Quote from: Crasger on April 22, 2014, 10:33:31 pm
Needs more views.

The people need to be well-informed about this situation!


Thanks. :D

And yeah, I agree.

Quote from: WhiteRose on April 23, 2014, 05:08:41 am
Quote from: Colonel Blinx on April 22, 2014, 01:54:19 pm
demand rose


You demand me? D:

On topic: Definitely a worth-while video; I'll send some views your way if I find anyone who asks about ROM sites. :)


YEAH, I DEMAND YOU. :V:

Thanks, I'd really appreciate it. :D

Quote from: KK20 on April 23, 2014, 11:55:45 am
I'm hoping my teacher in Computing Ethics decides to have a discussion on this issue. I've written a suggestion to him along with searching "CoolROM virus" for further information.


That'd be a worthwhile discussion, as there's some seriously fucked up ethics at play here.
Should let us know how that turns out. :D
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: G_G on April 23, 2014, 12:21:49 pm
After checking with Branden, I went ahead and added a few alternative sites for people to go to instead of Cool ROMs. Listing a couple of details for each.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Crasger on April 23, 2014, 06:54:42 pm
Where is that aforementioned list placed, gameus?
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Ryex on April 23, 2014, 07:08:09 pm
he edited it into the first post.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Crasger on April 23, 2014, 07:20:23 pm
Oh, cool.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: WhiteRose on April 23, 2014, 08:41:07 pm
Quote from: gameus on April 23, 2014, 12:21:49 pm
After checking with Branden, I went ahead and added a few alternative sites for people to go to instead of Cool ROMs. Listing a couple of details for each.


Awesome suggestions. Good thinking, GG!
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: moisesnake on May 15, 2014, 01:48:19 pm
this is the first post i read and it was interesting cause i recently started getting roms for gba/gbc and the app on my ipad directly links me to it but i never actually downloaded it there because the public library's network blocks it


woop joined the forum ಠ_ಠ
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: moisesnake on May 30, 2014, 02:05:18 pm
This post brought me to the Chaos Project
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on May 30, 2014, 03:28:34 pm
Welcome. :D
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: MindOnFire on August 06, 2014, 09:30:20 pm
I normally wouldn't post in a dead thread (though I basically have been a dead member for awhile now... college, the loss of my hard drive, and some other stuff got me out of RPG maker for a long time) but I thought people might like to know that Coolroms never got rid of the old download method and are still completely safe to use. You scroll down to a slightly smaller text link that says "Alternative Download Link" and it brings up the popup window where you can download your rom the traditional way. Figured this out very quickly as I refuse to use their installer as well. So, yeah. The site's completely fine.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Ryex on August 06, 2014, 09:57:20 pm
Thats not the point, The site goes out of it's way to direct you through their downloader as they intentionally make the alternate link much less visible. This is a deceptive practice and the arguments is that the deception makes them unworthy of anyones support.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Spaceman McConaughey on August 07, 2014, 12:45:20 pm
What Ryex said.

Honestly, it'd help to just actually read the thread, since that was discussed multiple times. :P
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: zaepsi on August 18, 2014, 04:33:51 pm
Now, Ive used the downloader before, and as long as you decline everything on the downloader, no adware seems to get downloaded. Ive used it and even months after doing so no issues. Its all the excess spamware that comes with it, "Clear Think" "Faster Search" "Safe Finder". I just declined them and it worked fine.
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: PhoenixFire on August 18, 2014, 08:24:30 pm
I think everyone's missing the point, and at this juncture, I would think the topic is pretty much a dead thing.. Can we all just  leave it alone?
Title: Re: Do not download from Coolrom.
Post by: Blizzard on August 19, 2014, 01:09:53 am
I thought the same thing when I saw the newest reply. Locked. :lock: