a) Does it prevent forum access?
b) What error message comes up?
     c) If one does, where/when?
d) Can you view default.asp?
     e) If so, can you view the individual forums?
     f) Can you view threads when IP banned?

FYI:

I did a forum search, found nothing. And I would have tested it on an existing user but I don't want them to know of the situation if possible (long story...) and also I don't want anything going wrong when I unban them.. i.e. it not working for some peculiar reason..

RSVP.

From the admin module on IP Banning:

===================

From here you can Block individual IP Addresses or Ranges.

Anyone falling into a block IP address or range, will find many of the functions of the board disabled, including registering, and posting.

Be careful when blocking IP addresses as you may block legitimate users. Many people share the same IP address, like AOL users, blocking one may block another 500,000 users from using your board.

====================

I have not yet had to ban an IP using the forum, but I believe it only prevents forum use (ie registering, posting, etc). However, remember that unless the user has a static IP, then you would need to ban their ISP's range of IP's which could potentially prevent other users from accessing the board. Now, if you know this person has a static IP, then banning their IP may be a decent idea but it should always be used with discretion.

Personally, I'd say make the user account inactive and if they own their own domain (ie bob@hispage.com) then ban that domain if this person is a real problem, but again even if the person owns that domain then you could still potentially block other users.

ok well i have had this done to me, by a very nasty ex friend, so here goes,

yes you can still read the forums, but when u log in you will be able to do nothing other than read the forums, you cant reach member list etc or nothing as your membership is also probably inactive, you also get a message at the bottom of your screan saying you cannot post a reply coz your ip falls within a banned category list!

As far as Nasty Ex friend Goes i wish him Piles the size of grapefruits  and brains the size of a peanut,, oh well 1 out of two aint bad!