General Support FAQ    
Tips for using Support and some useful links are at the bottom of the page.

This Support forum is for forums hosted by SMF for Free only.  

Q: Can I get a database backup?
A:  No.  Database backups are not offered.

Q: Can I transfer my forum from one server to another?
A: No.  Forums cannot be transfered from one server to another.

Q: How do I change the URL of my forum?
A: Sorry, but there is no option to change the URL of your forum
    You can  buy a domain name and park it on SMF for Free.
    Information/setup is in Admin>Domain Manager.
    IMPORTANT:   Do NOT use the Domain Manger if you have not purchased a domain name AND followed all the steps.

Q:  How do I change my forum's name
A:  Admin > Forum Settings > Forum Title

Q: How do I delete my forum?
A: You can't delete your forum, but you can put it into Maintenence Mode and just leave it.
(Admin/Forum Settings/checkmark in Maintenance Mode/Save)

Q: How do I put my forum into Maintenance Mode?
A: Admin/Forum Settings/checkmark in Maintenance Mode/Save

Q: How do I put new smileys on my forum?
A: see:  How to replace smileys

Q:  Can I use the smileys that are here at Support?
A:   How to use the smileys you see here at support

Q:  I use a .tk or .co.nr url and I keep getting logged out of my forum.   Why?
A:   If you have cloaking or masking turn ON you will have problems with your forum.   Turn off cloaking or masking.

Q: Can I change some of the images ? (new post, no new post, etc.)
A: Admin/Manage Styles/Customize Images

Q: How do I put a banner on my forum?
A: Admin/Custom Theme/Logo Image URL
    Put the direct link to the image in the box. 
   
Q: How can I center my banner?
A: Admin/Manage Styles/Edit Header/Footer
    In your header put:   <center><img src="your image url"></center>

Q:  How do I put a background on my forum?
A:  see: How to Put a Background on Your Forum

Q: Where can I get skins/styles?
A: see:  Stylesheet Index

Q: What is SMF for Free's real name?
A: SMF heh

Q: How do I stop Guests from Viewing Boards?
A: Admin/Forum/Boards
    Modify Boards you do not want Guests to see:   Uncheck Guests

Q:  Can I use my own rank images?
A:  See here:  How to use your own Rank Images
   
Q: How do I change the time on my forum?
A: Admin/Features and Options:  Look for Overall Time Offset
    Use this option to specify a time difference (in hours) - Negative and decimal values are permitted

Q: How do I add Quick Reply?
A: AdminCP/Current Theme/Reset Options---Click "Reset default (guest) options for this theme"
    Where it says "Use quick reply on topic display choose:   "show, on by default"  then Save
    Then click "Remove all members' options and use the defaults"...click Ok

Q: How do I add Mods to my forum?
A: You can't add Mods to your forum yourself, sorry.

Q: How do I make somebody Admin or Moderator on my forum?
A: The Members Profile/Account Related Settings
    Change their "Primary Membergroup" to Admin or Global Moderator.
    Board moderators -  Admin > Boards > Modify the Board > add the persons name in the
    box across from Moderator.

Q: Where can I get a shoutbox?
A:  www.cbox.ws
     www.yellbox.com
     www.myshoutbox.com
     www.shoutmix.com
     www.shoutbox.us
     www.tag-board.com
     www.tagboards.tk
     www.tagboardsite.com/
     http://www.xat.com/

Tips for Using Support

1. Help us to help you.   
      When leaving a support question tell us everything we need to know to help you out.
      If there was an error tell us step by step what happened.   Show us screenshots, give us
      any information you can.  "Help! I have a problem with my forum" , "it won't work"  does
      not help us to help you.

2. Leave your forum url.   
     We sometimes need to check your forum to help you with the problem.
     You will notice when typing a post there is a place to put in your forums url.
     
      a:  If you are on smfforfree,    smfforfree2,  smfforfree3,  smfforfree4 use the dropdown box.
             Be sure you have chosen the correct extension in the dropdown box:
             Do not put in your entire url.  Put ONLY the name of your forum.. the part before smfforfree.
      b:  If you are on freesmfhosting or mysmf or another service hosted by SMF for FREE
             Do not use the box and dropdown - type your url in the post. 

3. Do a search
     Use the Support forums search feature.   Many questions/answers are already here.

4. Check the Guide Indexes.
     There is an index pinned to the top of:
     Guides & Tutorials - lists all Guides and Tuts
     Stylesheet Codes and Help - lists all Stylesheets
     SMF for Free Codes - lists all codes
     The links to them are at the end of this FAQ as well.

5. When leaving a support question please make the Subject of your post reflect the problem.
     It will help others who may be searching for an answer to the same problem.  They won't find it if
     you put  "What is this?"  or "Oh my God"  or "I need help"  in the Subject line. 



Helpful links here at SMF for Free:

Guides and Tutorials Index
SMF Codes Index
Stylesheet Index
Holiday Stylesheets
SMF for Free - Terms of Use
Tips to Promote Your Board