user7563: Once I have the 9+ Gb bootstrap.dat file downloaded, how do I use it? I'd like to attempt mining without joining a pool; do I have the right file for a solo effort? I can use Windows or Linux so either one in the answer will be fine.

user6150: When you run bitcoin-qt or bitcoind in command line, pass that argument. This way, the client indexes transactions from a file, not from the internet.
bitcoin-qt -loadblock=/path/to/bootstrap.dat

Source: http://eu2.bitcoincharts.com/blockchain/
 Version 0.7 or later will also import this file by passing the command line argument "-loadblock=/path/to/bootstrap.dat" to bitcoin-qt or bitcoind. 

7563: <p>Once I have the 9+ Gb bootstrap.dat file downloaded, how do I use it? I'd like to attempt mining without joining a pool; do I have the right file for a solo effort? I can use Windows or Linux so either one in the answer will be fine.</p>
 6150: <p>When you run bitcoin-qt or bitcoind in command line, pass that argument. This way, the client indexes transactions from a file, not from the internet.</p>

<pre><code>bitcoin-qt -loadblock=/path/to/bootstrap.dat
</code></pre>

<p>Source: <a href="http://eu2.bitcoincharts.com/blockchain/" rel="nofollow">http://eu2.bitcoincharts.com/blockchain/</a>
 Version 0.7 or later will also import this file by passing the command line argument "-loadblock=/path/to/bootstrap.dat" to bitcoin-qt or bitcoind. </p>
