File size issues coupled with a passive-connection query.

For active mode setup go http://www.dslreports.com/faq/dc/
Your MAIN problem is because probably you have a nonexistent folder set in your Default Downloads or Unfinished Downloads folder settings (or you don't have write access to them).

TLS is encryption on ADC hubs, and have nothing to do with your system. In 0.699 and before one had to either generate the certificate yourself or have another application installed. In later versions was this automated, so one didn't need to have another application on the computer. TLS have nothing to do with your ability to search, download or chat with other users (as long as those hubs you frequent don't require it, which they [presumably] don't).

There are two things that DC++ itself will require administrative priviliges, but they have no direct impact on what else you're trying to do. (They are, in case you'd be interested, the 'registration with Windows' for magnet, adc and nmdc URI/URLs and require access to the registry.)

I'm not sure if you can open ports in Windows Vista if you do not have administrative rights, but try with using the UPnP service in DC++. DC++ will then attempt to open up appropriate ports and you'll be able to search and download. Do note that your hardware must support this as well. (Windows Vista support this fully, I believe.) To otherwise set things up yourself (if it's even possible as a non-admin [technically, everyone is by default non-admin in Windows Vista], try with using the 'active mode' guide in the link eMTee provided. If you can download properly, then a TCP port have been successfully opened - a UDP port is required to receive search results.

The transfer view is a little misleading, but not actually wrong. In later versions, DC++ will download files in chunks, and the minimum size for these chunks are 1 MiB. You can set this in Settings -> Experts only -> Min segment size. DC++ *is* downloading the file you selected, so don't worry about that. In the upcoming version (going to be released "any day now") is the entire transfer view reworked and should show you things far better.

(eMTee: No, the "MAIN problem" isn't that.)

(Addendum: Well, yeah, the minimum size of the segments boil down to the leaf size of the TTH, but I didn't feel like explaining what that is.)

Sorry I made a mistake above. I am an admin user on my PC.

To be brutally honest (and please don't frown on me).... I'm leeching my neighbours unsecure WiFi as I am unable to afford the internet. This is the reason why I have no configuration rights to my internet connection (as far as I'm aware anyway).

Sam

Then, you cannot use active mode since it requires your neighbours to portforward some ports to your PC ( which i dont think they will ). So, you're stuck with passive.

The downloading seems strange because of the segments. Each segment ( 1MiB ) is downloaded separately ( thats why its finished , then 1 % again).