Server Maintenance this weekend

Starting on this Friday May 9, 2008 we are performing upgrades on our system.

Schedule for this weekend:
Note:  Times are US times

Friday May 9, 2008 
SMFForFree.com Completed

Saturday May 10, 2008 
SMFForFree2.com Completed
MySMF.com Completed
FreeSMFhosting.com Completed

Sunday May 11, 2008
SMFForFree3.com - Delayed
SMFForFree4.com - May 13, 2008


There will be downtime as we move the forums to new servers.
For custom domain users you will need to update your IP address for your nameservers on your domain to point to the new address.
We will post this new information in your admin section.
Wait until the move is completed to update the nameserver IP. 
There will be a notice on your forum telling you when it is okay to do so.


The following information should clear up questions  you may have when the downtime for your forum begins:

When going to your forum you will see a page with a notice on it.
As the server move progresses we will change the Status Update Notice on the page.

You will see a status notice when the move is completed letting you know it has been completed.

At that time you and your members will need to wait for the dns to change on your own computers.
It "could" take around 24 hours for your computer to update the DNS.  
It is possible it could take less time, or longer (up to 48 hours) and will be different for everyone.
 
If you wish to try to get on sooner (after the move is completed)  you can try to flush the dns manually
There is no guarantee this will work.      Note:   Will not work on Win98, Win98SE

Start > Run >  type in cmd.exe
Click OK
Type in:    ipconfig /flushdns
Hit Enter:
Wait for the response
Type EXIT to exit the command prompt

If you DO get on very soon after the move:
Be aware it could be on and off, you could get the status message page again for awhile.  
You could also go to your forum and see no images,  a white screen.  
Do not be alarmed.   There is nothing missing, it will show up for you in time.  


The following applys only to those who are using a Custom Domain name:

If you purchased a domain, and parked it on smf for free, you need to change the IP for the nameservers.
You would do that at your domain host (where you purchased the domain name and did the nameserver information originally.

Do NOT update the nameserver IP until you are given notice to do so when the move is completed. ..
THere will be a notice on the page when the move is completed telling you when it is okay to do so

Thanks,
SMF For Free

Server 4 will be upgraded tommorrow May 13, 2008

Server 4 Update. Looks like a hard drive failure on the new server getting a new hard drive setup.  All data is backed up.