Just getting started, confused by bitcoin client not connecting

[DigitalPioneer]

OK, so I just heard about BTC and I know virtually nothing, but it sounds like a great idea, and I'd love to get involved, get a few coins...

So! I installed the bitcoin client (for Linux) but it says it's not connected, after being open for several minutes. So what's going on there? How do I make it connect? I can't find any kind of diagnostic output, so I'm blind here.

[FooDSt4mP]

Use -addnode with one of the fallback nodes listed here:

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Fallback_Nodes


That should get you bootstrapped.  Also, either forward port 8333 or enable UPnP in the settings.

[DigitalPioneer]

Ran with this:
bitcoin -addnode=109.75.176.226 -addnode=142.58.248.28 -addnode=99.27.237.13
which gets me connected to 3 nodes and downloading blocks, so I guess it worked. Thanks.

[DigitalPioneer]

OK, I've finally downloaded all of the blocks, but I'm not sure if I can actually get any coins. I got .02 BTC from bitgames yesterday, but my client still says balance is 0.00. So... is this expected?

[compro01]

OK, I've finally downloaded all of the blocks, but I'm not sure if I can actually get any coins. I got .02 BTC from bitgames yesterday, but my client still says balance is 0.00. So... is this expected?

does it show the transaction at all?  if not, try starting the client with the --rescan flag.

also, is the displayed block count increasing over time?  at present, it should be going up about every 5 minutes.  as of the time of this post, the current block count is 124910.

[DigitalPioneer]

Block count increases over time and stays in sync with the one reported by blockexplorer (http://blockexplorer.com/q/getblockcount). I've run with -rescan several times, but nothing seems to happen. My balance is still zero. Perhaps bitgames just isn't working? If someone wants to send me something, in the name of science, my address is 17bHWvRo6hDT6jWraJAGZYUFBDzzxHkjNx

[compro01]

Block count increases over time and stays in sync with the one reported by blockexplorer (http://blockexplorer.com/q/getblockcount). I've run with -rescan several times, but nothing seems to happen. My balance is still zero. Perhaps bitgames just isn't working? If someone wants to send me something, in the name of science, my address is 17bHWvRo6hDT6jWraJAGZYUFBDzzxHkjNx

blockexplorer shows no transactions for that address and bitcoincharts show no pending transactions for it either.

looks like an issue with bitgames IMO.

[eturnerx]

Block count increases over time and stays in sync with the one reported by blockexplorer (http://blockexplorer.com/q/getblockcount). I've run with -rescan several times, but nothing seems to happen. My balance is still zero. Perhaps bitgames just isn't working? If someone wants to send me something, in the name of science, my address is 17bHWvRo6hDT6jWraJAGZYUFBDzzxHkjNx

Just send you 0.01BTC
Let us know if you get it.

[DigitalPioneer]

Yeah, I got the .01. Crying shame that bitgames doesn't work, I was looking forward to the free btc.