
           Magnum "Frequently Asked Questions" by New Sysops

Q.  I have the system running fine, but I've decided to change the
    file (and/or message) areas available to my users.  I've changed
    these in my STARTUP.x file(s), but my users are still stuck with
    the old settings!  What am I doing wrong?

A.  The STARTUP.x file(s) is where Magnum gets its NEW USER defualts
    [actually it gets it from the MBBSINIT.x files which are the
    compiled version of the STARTUP.x files].
    Any user already in the user database will be unaffected by any
    changes made to file or message areas in your STARTUP.x file(s).
    To change these areas for existing users, you can either do it
    manually from within the sysop menu (user database area), or write
    a .MEX program to perform bulk updates for your existing users.


Q.  I bought the 3-node configuration about a year ago.  I now need more
    nodes.  Do I have to purchase a whole new Magnum package?

A.  No.  Our policy for upgrading to a higher-node configuration has
    always been the difference in CURRENT price between the
    configuration you have and the configuration you wish to upgrade to,
    plus shipping/handling.  In other words, if the current price for
    the 3-node configuration is $175, and you upgrade to the 5-node
    configuration ($300), the difference is $125 plus shipping/handling.
    Even if you paid $100 or $500 for the 3-node configuration at the
    time you purchased it, the price difference is always the difference
    in current pricing.
    An upgrade gets you the same serial# as that which you already have
    (ie: you will be unable to network your previous and new
    configurations together to get even more nodes).  If you wish to
    network the two configurations together, then a new purchase would
    be required in order to get a new serial#.  [ NOTE: sales tax added
    to California destinations! ]
    The upgrade (price difference) does NOT include a new user manual!!
    The manual is identical for all configurations; however, if a new
    release comes out (hence, a new user manual), it can be purchased
    separately (usually $35).  The user manuals are included on diskette
    should you desire to print your own and save the purchase price of a
    new manual!


Q.  I've just finished installing the BBS.  However, when I start it
    I get the message "MBBS.ACE not found".  What am I doing wrong?

A.  The file MBBS.ACE does not exist until YOU create it.  It is not
    necessary for BBS operation.  When your databases become larger
    and you write .MEX programs or need to execute other programs at
    certain times for maintenance purposes, the MBBS.ACE file would
    tell Magnum when to execute these programs (day, time).
    The MBBS.ACE file is basically a file of 'events' to happen on
    certain days and times.


Q.  I just set up my system and logged on as the sysop (/0) for the
    first time.  I've run out of time (ie: 30 minutes) and can't get
    back on!

A.  When you first log on as Sysop, the first thing you should do is
    go into the sysop menu, user database area - your record will
    then be displayed.  Change the daily_time and time_remaining fields
    to something more appropriate for you (ie: 180).


Q.  When a caller logs off, my modem still stays online and won't drop
    the connection!

A.  Make sure you have the &D2 or &D3 command somewhere within your
    modem init strings in the startup file for that modem.


Q.  I've tried the TEST mode of MBBS.EXE, but when a caller calls,
    nothing happens!

A.  TEST mode is merely to show what your modem is returning when
    a call comes in, it does not start a session, and the rest of
    the BBS is frozen (except for those already online at the time
    you enter test mode) to other calls.


Q.  My girlfriend is complaining that I'm spending too much time
    with the Magnum BBS system!

A.  Get a new girlfriend.


Q.  I'm running OS/2 2.x (or 3.x).  I'd like to be able to run some
    of the DOS door programs out there, but it doesn't work!

A.  As of this writing, you can run DOS doors with the combination of
    Magnum v7.00 or higher, OS/2 2.1 or higher, and a 3rd-party driver
    you can download from our BBS (Download FOSSDM05.ZIP & MAGFOSS.ZIP).


Q.  I have the 2-node (1 dialup + console) configuration of Magnum.  Is
    there any way I can have node 2 (my console node) converted to a
    dialup (modem) node?

A.  The highest node of Magnum in any configuration (node 2 in the
    2-node configuration, node 17 in the 17-node configuration, etc) is
    only a console node, regardless of what you put for the DEVICENAME
    parm in that startup file.  It is internally treated very
    differently than a modem node, although it appears identical in its
    presentation on the screen.


Q.  I'd like to set up 4 dial-in lines for the BBS.  How do I set it
    up such that I only give out one phone number to my users, and have
    a caller automatically routed to node 2, node 3, node 4 in the event
    the previous nodes are busy?

A.  This is not something you can do on your own.  This is something you
    must arrange with the telephone company.  If you already have the 4
    telephone lines, tell them you want them on a "rotary" (also known
    as a "hunt group").  Tell them the 1st number you want on the
    rotary, and the next 3 in the order you want them routed to.


Q.  I've just set up the demo and I want to buy the commercial version.
    Do I lose the users in my user database, the files in the file
    database, and the messages in the message database when I install
    the commercial version over the demo?

A.  No.  The commercial version comes with an intelligent installation
    program which will convert your demo databases to the commercial
    format.


Q.  I need to set up the BBS as a CLOSED system.  But how do I get my
    users into the system?

A.  Configure all dialup nodes as a CLOSED BBS.  Configure your console
    node as an OPEN BBS.  You must log on "as though you are the new
    user" via the console node.  Once you've completed the new user
    logon procedure for that user, they'll be able to call in on one of
    the dialup nodes.  You will need to convey to them (via telephone,
    fax, letter, whatever), their ID and password.

