Questions about putting forum into "Archive" status

[CountryLady]

I am putting my old forum into "Archive" status as we are begining with a fresh install after many years of activity. I love SMF but I'm not as SMF-smart as I wish I was, or used to be.

I want to keep the board's permissions for each membergroup as they are now, but I want to make all the boards READ ONLY for everyone except the Admin (me).

What is the simplest way to do this without messing up the current assorted membergroup permissions? (or anything else, if possible) 

I've searched, nothing is exactly the same or on my level of understanding.

SMF Version:
Powered by SMF 2.0 RC5 | SMF © 2006–2011, Simple Machines LLC
SimplePortal 2.3.3 © 2008-2010, SimplePortal
Bright Forest Theme v2.3 by Aaron

Link:
http://ourcountryhaven.com/OCH3/index.php?action=forum

Thank you very much for your help.

[Antechinus]

I want to keep the board's permissions for each membergroup as they are now, but I want to make all the boards READ ONLY for everyone...

Ok, so the only way you can do that is by changing the permissions, for every membergroup that has access to the board in question.

You can't change the posting permissions while still leaving all permissions alone. Wont work.

[CountryLady]

You know, I got to that page in the Admin permission section and that very thought came to me, so I thought I'd better ask for help, just in case I was wrong. HAHAHAHAHA Maybe I'm not as far gone as I thought I was.

Thanks for making it very clear. I accept your wisdom with much gratitude, Ant.
Its 5AM here and I think I'll tackle this tomorrow after I have some sleep. I think I understand what to do now, but best not to start this while groggy.

Again, thanks so much.
     ...CL