I am running on a Windows 7 32-bit Virtual Machine, and here is what I did:
1. Simply add a shortcut to your START menu. This way, whenever the computer boots up, the server will run for you. Worst part can be if you suffer a power glitch and the computer reboots without first shutting down the server, it leaves an instance (say a lock file) in place and you have to manually delete that (I just use a batch file within my autoexec.bat file for this).
The shortcut should be something like, "C:\MYSTIC\MIS.EXE SERVER". Just make sure the Drive and Folders match your own (I never run programs from my C:
for my BBS'.
If you want to manually copy & paste a shortcut to that STARTUP folder, just paste the "C:\mystic\mis.exe server" shortcut (you can google how to create a shortcut if you need) into your "C:\User\YOURNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup" folder.
2. I had the same problem at first as well. Once my router kicked in, I had
to manually enter my telnet port to my dialup program (I use NetRunner). eg.
I run my BBS on port 62323 (because my ISP blocks 23 & 2323 from the outside world).
I use my internal IP from NetRunner to access my BBS (you can always access
it locally if you are on the machine that is actually running the BBS) Again,
I use a virtual machine under a linux-based system on a server down in the basement myself. eg. 192.168.1.75:62323 .. that same telnet port is
accessible from outside the house from my tablet & cell phone (but I had to change the IP to my cable modem IP (eg. 68.69.120.1:62323).
3. I, too, also had a great program for converting .GIF to .ANSi back in the day. My 3.5" floppy failed, so I can't access it and can no longer find it on the Internet. I tried those free online converters, but did not like the outcome.
If you have questions, just ask.
Tim N
admin@f4fbbs.com
--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A44 2020/01/16 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Files 4 Fun BBS (21:2/120)