+ Frequently Asked Questions - Admin mod

Q: What is admin mod and why would I want it?
A: Admin mod is a tool that expands the functionality of your server. Using admin mod plugins, you can make the server do an array of things that it could normally not do. Admin mod can make administration of your server much easier.

Q: How do I enable admin mod?
A: If you purchased your server with admin mod, it comes enabled. If you are having problems with it not working, please email us.

Q: What if I didn't order it -- how do I get it?
A: You can either install it according to the (manual) instructions on the admin mod site, or you can email us and we'll put it on your server for you.

Q: How do I add an admin?
A: To add admins, you need to edit addons/adminmod/config/users.ini. I recommend that you add users in this format:

STEAMID::accesslevel

An example line would look like:

STEAM_0:1:3810::131071

Put one user per line. Note the double colons; they trip a lot of people up . You can calculate accesslevels from this handy page at www.adminmod.org (Note: The highest access level is 131071).

Q: Wait a minute. Double colons? The admin mod site tells me I need a password in there!
A: You don't, and it's better not to put one in. Having the STEAMID alone should be enough to prevent others from using your admin rights. If you also specify a password, then you will have to use it client-side, and you'll also have to worry about it expiring in between maps. It's much simpler and generally much better to not use a password at all and rely solely on the STEAMID. Don't give out your CD-Key to anyone, and you will be fine.

Q: I want to add reserve slots to my server. How can I do that?
A: You'll need to edit addons/adminmod/config/adminmod.cfg. These are the settings you'll need to change:

reserve_slots <#>

Controls how many of the server's slots are reserved. This is useful only if reserve_type, below, is either 0 or 2.

reserve_slots_msg "<data>"

This is the message shown to someone who gets kicked when there are only reserved slots left on the server, and they do not have reserved access.

reserve_type <#>

This controls how reserve slots work on the server (the default is 0).

• reserve_type 0: Public slots are used in preference to reserved slots. Reserved slots are freed before public slots.
  
• reserve_type 1: One slot is always reserved (regardless of reserve_slots). If someone with reserve access joins into that slot, the highest pinger without reserve access is kicked to make room. Thus, one slot always remains free.
• reserve_type 2: Reserve slots are used in preference to public slots. Public slots are freed before reserved slots.

The difference between reserve_type 0 and reserve_type 2 may not be immediately apparent. Here's an example: Suppose there is a 16 player server, with 2 reserved slots. Thus, with no one on, there are 14 public slots, and 2 reserved slots:

• reserve_type 0: Someone with reserved access joins. There are now 13 public slots, and 2 reserved slots (the person does not take a reserved slot, because those are used only when necessary). The server later fills up, so there are 0 public slots and 0 reserved slots. If anyone leaves, whether they have reserved access or not, it is a reserved slot that is freed, not a public one.
• reserve_type 2: Someone with reserved access joins. There are now 14 public slots, and 1 reserved slot (the person takes a reserved slot). The server later fills up, so there are 0 public slots and 0 reserved slots. If someone with reserved access leaves, it frees up a reserved slot; if someone without reserved access leaves, it frees up a public slot.

Q: I want to change the message repeated in my server, or other things. Where do I do that?
A: Edit adminmod.cfg; most of the miscellaneous settings are in there, and commented very well.

Q: I can't admin_map to a map that I know is on the server (it tells me bad mapname)! What gives?
A: Edit adminmod.cfg and make sure maps_file is set to 0.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of admin mod plugins I can add?
A: Nope. Add as many as you'd like.

Q: I can't seem to use the commands admin_t or admin_ct, or admin_restartround, or admin_restrictweapon, or anything like that. How do I fix this?
A: Uncomment the line "addons/adminmod/scripts/plugin_CS.amx" in plugin.ini by removing the ; or # at the beginning of the line.

Q: Where can I get a list of all the built-in admin mod commands?
A: This information is available from the admin mod online reference on commands.

Q: Where can I find admin mod plugins?
A: The admin mod plugins page has a fairly complete list. Most of these plugins will be in the form of .zip files and will come with instructions. If they have an .sma file, the next question may be helpful for you; if they have a Windows .amx file, then they are ready to be installed (another question below addresses that).

Q: I downloaded a plugin in .sma format, and the server needs one in .amx format (I think). How do I convert it?
A: You'll need to download the full version of admin mod here and extract it to a temporary folder on your hard drive. In that temporary folder, you will have a "scripting" directory, and within that directory you will have one called "myscripts". Put the .sma files you need to compile there. Then run the "compile_all.bat" file in the same folder by double-clicking it. Go up one directory and then into "mybinaries"; the compiled .amx files will be there (assuming there weren't errors when you compiled the plugins).

Q: When compiling an admin mod plugin, I got some errors, and no .amx file. What do I do?
A: If you edited the file, you may have inadvertently caused the errors -- in that case, redownload it and go through the steps again. If you didn't, it is possible that the script is incompatible with the latest version of admin mod or has a bug. Look for a new version; if you can't find one, you can try contacting the author of the script.

Q: I'm confused. What do I do with the admin mod plugin once it's an .amx file?
A: After you compile it, you will need to upload the .amx file to the addons/adminmod/scripts folder on the server. Then, you'll need to add it to addons/adminmod/config/plugin.ini (emulate the way the other plugins in that file are listed).

Q: The control panel tells me that the file type isn't allowed when I try to upload an admin mod plugin, or it tells me it's too big! What's going on?
A: You need to use FTP to upload plugins. Refer to the FTP FAQ for more information on how to use FTP.

Q: How do I make it so non-admins can't start map voting and such?
A: Change the default access level in adminmod.cfg. The variable is default_access, and their default value is 1. Change the 1 to a 0 and re-save the file.