In doing this, that makes our job much harder than it needs to be. In order to successfully diagnose a problem and fix it, we need to know the exact symptoms.
(All this assumes you're using some version of windows. I'm not so hot on Linux.)
BYOND Software Problems:
This forum is used only for the explanation of issues concerned with the BYOND Software (BYOND.exe, Dream Maker.exe, Dream Seeker.exe and Dream Daemon.exe).
Template:
BYOND Build Number:
Operating System:
Video/Graphics Card:
Game Hub/Link:
Internet Connection Type:
Firewalls/Routers:
Problem Description:
Steps to Reproduce Problem:
BYOND Build Number: This is essential in helping us fix your problem. Without it, we're taking pot shots in the dark, or we could even be trying to help fix a bug that was fixed in a later released version.
To find the Build Number is easy as Click - Click - Click. To find it, open up your BYOND.exe (Your pager) and click the Help menu. Once you have done so, click on the "About" option. This will open a new window. Down the bottom left corner, is your BYOND Build Number. Screenshot
Operating System: This is pretty self explanatory. You should know what operating system you're using. Generally it's displayed to you on start up. So further explanation here isn't really necessary. If you are using Windows, try to include a Service Pack Number if you can. You can find this out by clicking on the "Help" menu inside any folder, than clicking on "About Windows".
Video Graphics Card: This is the graphics card your computer is using. To view this, the easiest way is to view Direct X information. (While we're at it, Direct X needs to be at least 8.0 for BYOND to operate correctly. If your Direct X version is below this, update it.)
To view Direct X information, go to your start menu and click "Run". Screenshot
From there, type in "dxdiag" without the quotes. Screenshot.
Once the Direct X info-panel has opened, select the "Display" tab and jot down the information under "Device" Screenshot.
Game Hub/Link: If your issue is dependant on only a couple of games. Give us the links to them, and we'll see if we can reproduce your issue and either get back too you with a solution, or we'll go to the Bug Reports forum and write out a full bug report. The issue will then either be resolved, or, if it's a BYOND Bug, hopefully fixed quickly in the next update.
Internet Connection Type: This one is also a good clue to help us diagnose your problem. It's pretty self explanatory as well. Broadband, DSL, Dial Up and Cable are your main options. If you're using Wireless Broadband, it's probably a good idea to note that as well. If you are unsure on your connection type, your network administrator or your parents should be able to tell you.
Firewalls/Routers: These are the most troublesome things in the world, but they are probably worth the hassle. These are what cause the majority of connection issues for BYOND users. If you ever get "BYOND Central is inaccessible" or any other message like that, chances are, some software you've recently installed has messed with your firewall or router settings. As mentioned in a previous tutorial, Windows XP and Vista both come with "Windows Firewall" enabled by default. If you or your family haven't disabled this, then you are using a firewall.
Also note, if you use a modem to connect to the internet; a lot of modems double as routers. Check the information booklet or do a search on your modem model number to see if it doubles as a router. It's probably a good idea, when filling this section out, to include your modem/router's model number as well. That way we know what hardware you're using and might be able to help more.
Problem Description: This is how we identify your problem. You must be as specific as possible. When filling out this section, ask yourself these questions:
- What is my exact problem?
- In the simplest of terms, what is the problem you're experiencing.
- When did this problem start to happen?
- How long ago did this issue start? Was it today or last week? Was it right after I updated my BYOND Version?
- Did I make any changes to my system directly before this happened?
- Have I installed any new software recently? Did my computer crash unexpectedly the other day?
Steps to Reproduce Problem: Sometimes, we need to experience the issue ourselves before we can be of full assistance. This isn't as easy as it sounds, there are literally billions of computer system variables we couldn't possible emulate. But knowing how you achieved the problem is a good start. Write down in step by step, exactly how you managed to find your issue.
BYOND Website Problems:
Like software, nothing is perfect. Sometimes issues can appear for the website as well. That's why we have this forum.
Template:
Operating System:
Website Browser and Build Number:
URL/Link to problem page(s):
Problem Description:
Steps to Reproduce Problem:
Operating System: This is the same as the "Operating System" field above. Further explanation of it is located there.
Website Browser and Build Number: Like the BYOND Build Number, this is also useful in helping us determine if the issue you're experiencing has already been fixed in the web-browser you're using. Finding the Web-Browser build number is much the same as finding your BYOND Build Number. Click on the Help menu and select "About [My WebBrowser]". The build number will be located there.
URL/Link to problem page(s): Because this forum is about the website. It'd be silly if we couldn't see the issue first hand. It's not hard for one of us to download your browser version from somewhere and verify your results. This is also imperative because without a place to look, the BYOND Developers don't know where to fix your bug.
Problem Description: Like operating system, this is exactly the same as "Problem Description" located above.
Steps to Reproduce Problem: Like Operating System and Problem Description, this is exactly the same as the above template.
BYOND Help Site:
This forum doesn't contain a template, but a lot of posts end up here that should be in the other two categories.
This forum is for ideas and suggestions you'd like to make for the BYOND Help Site itself. Any specific tutorials you would like one of us to write sometime down the road or even if you think we should another forum for something or other.