Translate this page:

Google

Search Help


Windows
Mac

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you'll find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Pando. If you're having problems or seeing an error, visit the troubleshooting section for more information.

Pando Pro members, visit the Premium FAQ for subscription-related questions.

If you still have questions, we'll be happy to help! Contact us at support@pando.com

Getting Started

Receiving Files

Sending Files

Getting Started

Does the recipient of my files need Pando?
Yes. In order to receive Pando Packages, your recipient must install Pando. The process is easy, quick, and completely free!

If you want to invite friends to install Pando before sending them a Package, you can direct them to this link.
top

Can I get a virus, spyware, or other malicious programs through Pando?
The Pando application itself is completely safe to download and install. However, once you have Pando installed, we can’t screen every file you receive. You should take the same precautions with files you get through Pando that you take with any incoming files to your computer.
top

How do I shut Pando down completely?
Click the Pando icon in your system tray and choose Shut Down Pando.
top

How do I uninstall Pando?
To uninstall Pando:

  1. Make sure Pando is shut down
  2. Click Start, then Control Panel
  3. Double-click Add/Remove Programs or Programs and Features
  4. Select Pando
  5. Click Remove

top

How does Pando work?
Pando is designed to create the best and easiest way to publish and receive content—no matter how big—over the Internet. Pando uses the distributed part of Peer to Peer (P2P) technology to take a large file and break it up into little bits, which are then distributed in the fastest way possible to your recipients' machines.

All transfers are encrypted for your privacy and security. But unlike other P2P networks Pando also gives you the option to publish your Pando Package wherever you want - by email, by IM, on your blog, on your MySpace page and more.

For a more detailed and technical explanation of how Pando works, visit this page.
top

What can I use Pando for?
You can use Pando to share content owned or created by you. Pando is a great way to share vacation pictures, wedding videos, and much more with your friends and family.

Pando should NOT be used to share music and movies that you don't have the rights to share with others. You can read more about our copyright policy here.

Pando is also NOT a storage space for backing up your files. Any Packages shared through Pando will eventually expire. You can learn more about Package expiration at this link.

top

Is Pando free?
Yes, Pando is 100% free. For a monthly or yearly fee, you can get even more cool features from Pando, but we aim to always have a free version.
top

Is there a way to disable the ads?
The only way to disable the ads is by upgrading to a premium account. The ads are an essential part of our program because they help support Pando and keep it free for you. You can click here to view our Ad policy.

If you see any advertising that you consider questionable please send us a screenshot of the ad to support@pando.com and we will look into it.
top

How do I upgrade my Pando account?
Click here to see a comparison of free Pando versus Pando Pro, along with links to purchase an upgraded account. You can also click on any of the Upgrade your account links you see in the Pando program itself. For a step-by-step guide to upgrading your account, click here.
top

How can I keep Pando from starting automatically when I turn on my computer?
By default, Pando will start up each time you start Windows. To change that setting:

  1. Start Pando.
  2. Click the Options menu on the upper right portion of the window.
  3. Select My Profile.
  4. Uncheck "Start Pando when I start Windows" toward the bottom of the window.

top

How can I turn off the notification I get when Pando finishes downloading a Package?
Pando displays a pop-up window when downloads are complete. To turn these notifications off:

  1. Start Pando.
  2. Click the Options menu on the upper right portion of the window.
  3. Select Transfers.
  4. In the Receiving section, uncheck "Notify me when downloads complete if Pando is not open at the time."

top

Where can I change my name and email address?
In the Send New Package window, click your name and email address in the "From:" field to change the information. Pando will remember only the last identity you enter. You can also change it through My Profile from the Options menu.
top

How do I remove the "Send With Pando" link from the desktop?

  1. Click on windows start menu and select run
  2. Type in "regedit"
  3. Go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Classes -> * -> shellex ->ContextMenuHandlers"
  4. In the directory you will see the entry "PandoShellExt"
  5. Delete that entry and reboot your computer

top

Receiving Files

How do I open a .pando email attachment?
If you already have Pando installed, double click on the email attachment and select “Open.” If this is not an option, select “download” or “save” instead, then double click on the file from the download location.

You can also drag and drop the .pando file from your computer into Pando window. The Package will automatically open and begin downloading with Pando, and its name will appear in the Received list.
top

Does closing Pando cancel my downloads?
If you shut down Pando or change your status to "offline," all transfers will be paused. Those transfers will automatically pick up where they left off the next time you start up Pando or change your status to "online."
top

How can I find a previously received Pando Package?
Your received Pando Packages appear in the Received tab of the Pando program. If the file you’re looking for is not there, you may have cleared your Received list.

Try going to Windows' Start menu and use Find to search for filenames ending with .pando. Once you've found it, you can open it and download the Package again.
top

Where on my computer do Pando files go?
When you installed Pando, it created a folder in C:\Documents and Settings\My Documents called "My Pando Packages." That's the default destination for downloads.

You can change your Package download location:

  1. Open Pando.
  2. Click the Options menu on the upper right portion of the window.
  3. Select Storage.
  4. Look for "Default download folders:" Click the ". . ." button for either “Channels” or “Email, IM and Web.”
  5. Navigate to your folder of choice or click the New Folder button. When you click ok, the new folder selection will appear in the field next to the ". . ." button.

If you want to decide where each download will go, you need to first change your default download options.

  1. Open Pando.
  2. Click Options, then Storage.
  3. In the Receiving section, deselect "Start downloads automatically when I open .pando files."

Now, when you double-click on a Pando Package, the Info window will appear before the Package downloads. Click the ". . ." button to select the download location.
top

What does package expiration mean?
Pando Packages expire after a certain number of days:

  • Pando Free: 30 days (when sent by Web) or 7 days (for everything else)
  • Pando Pro: 60 days (when sent by Web) or 14 days (for everything else)

If the Pando Package that you are downloading has expired, you will get a notice in a new window. Pando will try to find available copies of the file still on the network, but if that fails, you will need to contact the sender to send the files again.

If your Packages keep expiring before your recipients get a chance to download them, consider upgrading to a Pando premium subscription. If you're the one stuck trying to download an expired Package, when you ask the sender to resend it, encourage them to think about upgrading as well!
top

How do I open the file I downloaded with Pando?
Pando can send and receive many types of files. Here is a guide to some of the common file types, with links to tools that can work with them.

  1. Pando - A Pando file is a small file that allows you to download a large package (a file or collection of files).
    2. File compression tools:
    • ZIP - A zip file contains one or more files that are packed together and compressed. You can use WinZip to unpack the file.
    • RAR - Comparable to a zip file, a RAR file contains one or more files packed together and compressed. You can use WinRAR to unpack RAR files.
    • ISO - This is a disk image file, often used for distributing software. You can burn an ISO in windows XP here.
    • DMG - This is a Mac disk image file, often used for distributing software. Windows users can't easily use these files.
  2. Video formats:
    • MOV, M4A, M4P - These video files play using QuickTime. You can download QuickTime here.

top

Sending Files

How do I send a file by email?
Once you send files and folders in Pando, you may never want to do it any other way.

  1. Start Pando.
  2. Click the share new button on the upper left corner of the window. Select Email.
  3. In the "to" field, enter email addresses of people who you want to receive the Package.
  4. To add files, Drag and drop them into the "Files & folders" field, or Press browse or click the << button to open Pando’s File Drawer. Double-click your files to add them to the package, or highlight files/folders and click the paperclip icon at the top-right. Use the Ctrl or Shift keys to select multiple items.
  5. If you are sending more than one item, you need to name your Pando Package in the "Package name" input field. (If you are sending only one item, by default Pando will use the filename as the Package name.) Optional: To add a description, click the Package name: link.
  6. Add an email subject and message, if you like. If you have a premium account, you can password-protect the file, too. Click here for instructions on how to do so.
  7. Click the send button in the upper left corner.

For first-timers:

  • Before you send your first Pando Package, you’ll need to click the [Click to enter your email address] link at the bottom of the window. Enter the name and email address you want your recipients to see when they get your Pando Package. You can change these at any time.
  • If this is the first Package you are sending with Pando, a window with distorted text will appear. You’ll have to enter the distorted text into the box marked "Code:" and click ok. The one-time test proves beyond reasonable doubt that you are human and not a spam-spewing robot.

Two important notes about sending Pando Packages:

  1. If you turn off your computer, disconnect from the Internet, or shut down Pando before your Package is finished sending, your recipients won't be able to download the Package until the next time you start Pando and complete sending.
  2. Pando Packages (files you send) expire after a set period of time. Learn more about package expiration here.

top

Can I use contacts from my email program's address book?
Pando currently supports Outlook 2003 - 2007. To set up Pando to use Outlook’s address book, follow these steps:

  1. Click the share new button.
  2. In the Send window, click the to button. A window will open with your address list from Outlook.
  3. Click the email addresses you want. Use Ctrl or Shift to select more than one.
  4. Click To ->. They will appear in the "Message Recipients" field.
  5. If you need to remove any recipients from the list, right click on their name. Select Remove.
  6. Click OK and they will be put into the "to:" field on the Send New Package window.

top

What size files can I send with Pando? How much can I store on the Pando servers?
With a free account, you can send files that are up to 1GB each. You can store up to 5GB on Pando’s servers at any given time. With a Pando Pro account, you can send files as large as 3GB and store as much as 10GB on the servers.
top

How can I password-protect my files?
This feature is only available to premium users. (Want a premium account? Click here to upgrade!)

If you have a premium account, make sure you are signed in, then start preparing your package to send as usual. Before you hit the Send button, click the lock icon next to the Package name field. Enter the same password twice in the window that opens; you can use any combination and any number of characters.

Note: It is up to you to send the password to your recipient. Packages that are password-protected will appear in the Sent and Received lists with a small padlock icon.
top

Can I post a Package on a Web page?
Sure. Pando can generate HTML code for a box with an image, a description and a download button that you can put in a Web page. Simply click the “Share New” button and select “Web.” From there you will be able to customize your code for publication.
top

Can I stop a file from being transferred after it starts?
In the current version of Pando you cannot really stop a message from being sent to its recipients once you have hit send. However, if you pause and clear a Package while it is being sent, your recipients will be unable to fully download the package.
top

Do files continue to transfer when Pando is closed?
If you close Pando, it will remain running with its icon in the system tray and any files you have queued will continue to transfer.

Only shutting down Pando (clicking on the icon in the system tray and choosing Shut Down Pando) or changing your status to "offline," will make your transfers pause. Those transfers will automatically pick up where they left off the next time you start up Pando or change your status to "online."
top

Are my files safe and secure?
The files that you send are encrypted while in transit and while on Pando's servers. When your recipient downloads the Package using the .pando file that they received, the files are decrypted and the user sees the original data you sent. Pando uses the most secure implementation of the latest encryption technologies - 256-bit encryption keys of the AES - to ensure your files are secure while in transit. You can read more about it here: AES on Wikipedia.
top

Can I send a Package to more than one person at the same time?
Yes, you can send files to up to 10 different emails. When you are sending a Package, just enter all of the email addresses in the to: field, separated by commas.
top

Can I put limits on Pando's upload speeds?
Pando lets you adjust your upload speed. Here’s how:

  1. Start Pando.
  2. Click Options > Transfers.
  3. In the Sending section, look for "Limit upload speeds to [input] KB/s." By default, the checkbox is not checked. That allows Pando to use the available bandwidth.
  4. Enter the new upload speed (must be greater than 1 kb).
  5. Click the check box to enable this option.

top

© Copyright 2004-2013 Pando Networks, Inc.