You can ask away however by bumping old threads, asking your own question in them you will likely be passed over as most people do not care about reading through them.
New thread means more view means more answers, as for being shut down I have no idea what that forum you are describing is but I can understand some of it too depending on the question, some people would rather not search and be spoon fed which can be annoying, it's all about balance show that you make an effort and people will help, come to be spoon fed and that will likely not work.