downloading over 20,000 files

is there no way to avoid this after installing? its not even going fast either, about 20kb a second..

Blame the ArenaNet servers.

Some people recommend backing up your dat file, but often you're best getting a new/clean one because the dat can become a bit bloated over time.

if you have only installed 1 of the games (ie-factions) and you own more, make sure you have all of them installed.
other wise no, there is no way to avoid this.
just add /images to the target in properties and leave it running over night.
it will download all the files, and make sure you remove the /images once its done, other wise the game won't run.

I'm afraid not. Best bet is to run GW with the -image switch, then leave it to run overnight. This should hopefully need to be done only once.

[edit] Um, Ghostcell? Your post is full of wrong...

ATTENTION ANET. here is a customer with a real issue. I personnally know other people in my guild that have similar issues.(they have dial-up) Is it possible have the "most current" .dat file hosted on a ftp server or availble to purchase in the online store via a dvd?

Absolutely, zam - I've been wanting that for so long.

If WoW updates can be made available over legitimate file hosting sites (like Fileplanet?), then why not GW?

Installing from all the discs does nothing as you are only reinstalling the same client and rewriting the .dat. But if you do have multiple editions, use the discs from the newest one and its closest to the current .dat and will save you some time.

Its " -image", not /images.

And no, there's no way to avoid it. Its the nature of all mmos that have been out for some time. Either backup the .dat before you un/reinstall or grab the updated .dat from someone else.

omg, u think u have it bad with 20kb/sec mine goes at 3kb/sec, my computer is great, but my internet connection is the 56kbps dial-up!