Forums - Faq Section

Hi!

With the increasing number of similar emails I've been getting lately, I've decided its finally time to open up the FAQ section on the main site. Also, Anubis' DosBox guide is waiting to be published, so that's another reason why this needs to be done. So, what I would like from you is to suggest questions that you think would be useful for a user to see on the main page, so that we may point new people with standard questions there.

First we should make a list of questions, and then we could also agree on answers. I'll start the list, and add questions as you suggest them! Here are a few for starters:

Q: What is Abandonware? Is it legal?
Wikipedia: "Abandonware is computer software which is no longer being sold or supported by its copyright holder. Alternately, the term is also used for software which is still available, but on which further support and development has been deliberately discontinued." Since the software is no longer sold or supported, the copyright holders are not harmed in any way. This is why abandonware-sites are for the most part ignored by the law. The distribution of copyrighted software is, and allways will be, illegal!

Q: Are all your games abandonware?
No. We have also Freeware and some exclusive games on the site. Freeware are games made by people like you and me, who are offering their games on the net for free. We also have exclusive rights to host some of the games on the site. Only the copyright holder can give this kind of permission.

Q: Game x won't run! What should I do?
A: Post in the troubleshooting forum Here with the following details:
System Hardware Specification
Game (Windows/Dos as well)
OS (e.g. Windows 98/XP)
Have you used Dosbox or VDMSound To try to run it?

Q: Are your downloads safe/checked for viruses?
Every game on this site is checked for viruses! Actually every game archive on this site is just as the ones that come in the original packaging!

Q: I've downloaded DosBox but I don't know how to use it!
A: Look at Abandonia's Official DosBox Guide written by Anubis, or read this guide on the dosbox homepage

Q: I'm running WinXP and I don't get any sound!
A: Download VDMSound or DOSBox from here

Q: How can I send a game to you?
A: First make sure that the game is abandonware (it shouldn't be supported by its producers). When you have done that, send a message the contact form and be sure to specify WHICH game you wish to contribute and give some details about it. After that, if the game you propose is appropriate for the site, you will soon be notified with the login info for the FTP server where you can upload it.

Q: I got some extra files for x game. Do you need them?

Q: I would like to see game X on the site! Who should I inform?

Q: I'm stuck in a game / The game asks copy protection questions! Where can i get walkthtrough/answers?
A: There's a window called 'extras' on every game page (the one with review and screenshots). If there are no files in the 'extras', and you are certain that the game requires them, contact us via the contact form. Also there's special topic on our forums just for problems in adventure games, so you can ask for help there, too!

Q: What is the VIP Lounge? How can I become VIP?
<p style="text-align:justify; ">V.I.P. section features exclusive content that cannot be given out to everyone because of bandwidth limitations. This includes things such as music, movies and large addons for abandonware games that we feature on the site. The content of V.I.P. section is changed monthly. It is accessible to all active forum members that consistently work on the creation of Abandonia. If you think you could also contribute in some way (music, manuals, games...), use the forum or contact form to get in touch with us!
Here's a list of things that can get you VIP status:

<blockquote>
-Rewieving games.

-Contributing good old games (with your own reviews of course).

-Translating to other languages

-Helping out on the forums (technical support, writing manuals,...).

-Doing various tasks for the site.</blockquote></p>

Q: What hardware do you recommend to run your games?

Q: Is there speech pack available for game X?

Q: Why I can´t download games?

Q: Why should I become a member of Abandonia forums?
A: You will become a member of ever growing comunity, that is warm, welcoming and ofers help and support to all members in numerous ways (technical support, trouble shooting). By using the forums you will also learn how this website breathes and can get noticed for the VIP membership.