RBBS in a Box Volume 1 #2/RBBS_vol1_no2.iso/install.txt

Text File | 1990-02-18 | 8KB | 167 lines

                 Installing your RBBS-PC System

     Your RBBS-in-a-Box CD-ROM has all the tools necessary for you
to be up and running in a matter of minutes.  You will need to
provide the following equipment:

     1.   An IBM-PC or compatible computer with 640K of memory;

     2.   DOS 3.3 or above (although 2.0 to 3.2 should work, it is
          strongly recommend that you use 3.3 as a minimum.  It is
          the most stable available);

     3.   A hard disk with AT LEAST three megabytes of free space,
          although 10-20M would be highly recommended;

     4.   A CD-ROM drive running the Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions;

     5.   A truly Hayes-compatible smart modem (external preferred,
          but an internal should work fine).  Please note what COM
          port your modem is connected to before running the
          installation program.

     Assuming you have the foregoing equipment, setting up your
RBBS-In-A-Box system should take you somewhere between five and ten
minutes to install.  The procedure is as follows:

     1.   Make sure that your system is operating properly and that
          you have the required free space on your system's hard
          disk.

     2.   Verify that your CD-ROM is working by doing a directory
          of your CD-ROM drive.  You should see a listing of about
          forty or more directories.

     3.   Make your CD-ROM the default drive by typing the letter
          of the drive, a colon, and pressing the Enter key, i.e.
          D:[Enter].

     4.   Change to the RBBS subdirectory on your CD-ROM drive by
          typing: CD\RBBS[Enter]

     5.   You will now invoke the installation program by typing
          INSTALL, then the letter of your CD-ROM drive (in DOS
          terms this is the source of the RBBS information), then
          the letter of your hard disk where you want the RBBS
          files to reside (the Target for the RBBS information).
          For example, if your CD-ROM drive is D: and your hard
          drive is C:, type the following:

               INSTALL D: C:

          Remember: CD-ROM drive first, hard disk second!

     6.   The installation process will begin.  It will create the
          necessary directories, then copy the appropriate files
          to those subdirectories.  When that process is complete
          it will invoke the Autoinstallation program to configure
          the specifics of your system.  Please read the
          instruction screens carefully so you understand the
          significance of the various options.  You will need to
          provide the following information:

          A.   The Autoinstallation program will have you confirm
               your CD-ROM drive.  Enter the letter of your CD-ROM
               drive.

          B.   It will then confirm your destination hard drive.
               Again, enter the letter of your hard disk where RBBS
               is to be installed.

          C.   Your First name, i.e. TOM

          D.   Your Last name, i.e. MACK

          E.   Your first remote Sysop name (like a password), i.e.
               ORANGE.  Please pick something unique and not easily
               guessed!  This is your system's security at stake!

          F.   Your second remote Sysop name (again, like a second
               password), i.e. CORKER.  Again, make it unique.  And
               DON'T use ORANGE CORKER!!!  I suspect that will be
               the first thing a hacker will try when he discovers
               an RBBS-in-a-Box system!!

          G.   You will then be asked for the COM port currently
               used by your modem.  Select 1, 2, 3 or 4.

          H.   Finally, you will need to tell RBBS the highest
               speed for your modem.  Your choices are 300, 1200,
               2400, and 9600.  Since most modems support slower
               speeds as well, these will be automatically handled
               by RBBS.

          I.   Note the information on modem switch settings and
               set your modem accordingly.

     7.   You will then be told the installation is complete.
          Simply change to your CD-ROM drive, then type:

                    RBBS[Enter]

          Your RBBS system should be up and running!  (I hope!)

     Please note that RBBS-PC is a very sophisticated bulletin
board system and as such it has literally thousands of different
ways it can be configured.  You are urged to read the RBBS
documentation, stored under the \RBBS\DOC subdirectory on your CD-
ROM to learn about the various advanced features and operation of
RBBS-PC.

     Also be aware that once you enter RBBS or exit RBBS, it will take
the telephone off-hook.  This is done to "busy out" the bulletin
board while you do Sysop maintenance.  Sysops would rather have users
receive a busy signal than have the board simply not answer.  Users
expect a busy signals from time to time and will call back.  When there
is no answer they often think the board is out of business and won't
call back.  On an external modem this is not a problem since you can
easily turn the modem off and on to reset it.  On an internal modem you
will have to enter your communications program and issue the hang-up
command (ATH) to get your phone back on-hook.

     We have chosen a very "generic", yet feature-rich configuration
that should meet the needs of the vast majority of Sysops.  However,
with all the various types of hardware and software configurations
available today, it is impossible to guarantee it will run on every
single system without some tweaking. In the event you need some help
getting your system up and running, contact RBBS-PC of Chicago at (708)
352-1035.  Identify yourself as an RBBS-in-a-Box Sysop in the new user
questionnaire, then leave a comment for the Sysop describing your
problem.  The Sysop will attempt to post a solution as soon as possible.
Also, be sure to send in your registration card immediately.  As soon as
we receive it you will be entitled to access the private access nodes on
RBBS- PC of Chicago for thirty days should you need additional
assistance.

     The majority of problems discovered to date are a result of one of
two things: First, bad cables.  We strongly recommend a straight
25-to-25 serial cable (or 9-to-25 as the case me be).  The fact that a
particular cable may work with your modem program does not necessarily
mean it will work with RBBS.  A BBS program must communicate very
intimately with the modem.  Which brings us to the second area of
trouble: Internal modems.  Almost without exception, if it isn't a cable
problem it involves an internal modem.  Despite what they say, internals
DO NOT seem to be as compatible as external modems, at least as far as
RBBS is concerned.  Try your setup with an external modem and see if it
works.  If it does, you've narrowed the problem down considerably.  Read
the RBBS documentation on the specifics of various modems.  Perhaps you
will find something that will help you out.

     Please note that RBBS supports some features through other
shareware programs, such as ZipTV.  If you take advantage of these
features please be sure to register your copy of these programs
with their author.  Support the shareware concept by registering
ALL your shareware and encouraging your users to do the same.

     Finally, be sure to read the "Running RBBS-PC" information for
an overview of how your system is designed to operate.  Once you
are familiar with the basic operations you will certainly find
little changes you will want to make to suit your tastes.  Enjoy!




Rev. 1.0A 11/1/89