Editing Help:Uploading service manuals

__TOC__
{{CategoryHeaderBox
| title = 📄 Uploading Service Manuals
| subtitle = How to Scan, Prepare, and Upload Technical Documentation
}}

Service manuals, schematics, and technical documentation are among the most valuable resources on the RTC Wiki. This guide covers how to prepare and upload them properly.

== Before You Upload ==

=== Copyright Considerations ===
* Read the '''[[RetroTechCollection:Service manual reproduction|Service Manual Reproduction Policy]]''' first
* Most vintage service manuals are out of print and no longer commercially available
* We host these documents for '''preservation and repair purposes'''
* If a rights holder requests removal, we will comply

=== Check for Duplicates ===
* Browse '''[[:Category:Service Manuals]]''' to see what we already have
* Check the specific manufacturer category (e.g., [[:Category:Nintendo Service Manuals]], [[:Category:Sega Service Manuals]])
* Search for the document title using '''[[Special:Search]]'''

== Scanning Best Practices ==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|-
! Setting !! Recommendation
|-
| '''Resolution''' || 300 DPI minimum, 600 DPI for schematics with fine detail
|-
| '''Colour mode''' || Colour for most documents; greyscale for black-and-white originals
|-
| '''Format''' || PDF (preferred for multi-page documents)
|-
| '''Compression''' || Moderate — balance quality with file size
|-
| '''Page size''' || Match the original (A4 for most service manuals, A3 for schematics)
|}

=== Tips for Large Documents ===
* '''Flatbed scanners''' produce the best results
* For thick binders, use a '''book scanner''' or photograph pages if scanning isn't possible
* '''De-skew''' pages in your scanning software
* '''OCR''' (Optical Character Recognition) is a bonus but not required
* If a document has both A4 text pages and A3 schematic foldouts, consider '''splitting into two files'''

== Naming Convention ==

Use clear, descriptive filenames:

<code>Manufacturer Console_Model Document_Type (Details).pdf</code>

'''Examples:'''
* <code>Sega Game Gear VA1 Service Manual.pdf</code>
* <code>Nintendo Game Boy Technical Manual.pdf</code>
* <code>Sega Dreamcast VA0 CPU and DRAM Schematic.pdf</code>
* <code>Manual Tecnico do Super NES Rev 01-94.pdf</code>

== Uploading ==

# Go to '''[[Special:Upload]]'''
# Select your PDF file
# Enter a '''descriptive filename''' following the naming convention above
# Write a '''summary''' describing the document:
#* What console/computer it covers
#* Whether it's official or community-created
#* The date/revision if known
#* The language
# Click '''Upload file'''

== Creating the Wiki Page ==

After uploading, create a page for the document. Use this format:

<pre>
<pdf> File:Your Document Name.pdf </pdf>

The '''Document Title''' is a description of what the document covers.

== Contents ==
* List the major sections
* Include key topics covered

== Download ==
Download here: [[:File:Your Document Name.pdf]]

[[Category:Appropriate Category]]
</pre>

=== Which Category? ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;"
|-
! Document Type !! Category
|-
| Official manufacturer service manual || <code><nowiki>[[Category:Manufacturer Service Manuals]]</nowiki></code>
|-
| Board schematics || <code><nowiki>[[Category:Manufacturer Schematics]]</nowiki></code>
|-
| Community-created documentation || <code><nowiki>[[Category:Manufacturer Unofficial Service Manuals]]</nowiki></code>
|}

Replace "Manufacturer" with Nintendo, Sega, Apple, etc.

== File Size Limits ==

* Maximum upload size: '''2 GB'''
* For very large scans (100MB+), consider whether a lower DPI would suffice
* If Cloudflare is active, uploads over 100MB may need to go through the server directly — ask an administrator

== See Also ==
* [[RetroTechCollection:Service manual reproduction|Service Manual Reproduction Policy]]
* [[Help:Photographing hardware|Photographing Hardware]]
* [[Help:Contents|Help Contents]]
* [[:Category:Service Manuals]]

[[Category:Help]]