phpBB problems

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 05:40am

Instructions for installing a web board:

Decompress the phpBB 2 archive to a local directory on your system.

Upload all the files contained in this archive (retaining the directory structure) to a web accessible directory on your server or hosting account.

Change the permissions on config.php to be writeable by all

Using your web browser visit the location you placed phpBB 2 with the addition of install/install.php, e.g. http://www.mydomain.com/phpBB2/install/install.php, http://www.mydomain.com/forum/install/install.php etc.

Fill out all the requested information and hit Submit

Change the permissions on config.php to be writeable only by yourself

Click the Complete Installation button or revisit the location you entered above.

phpBB 2 should now be available, please MAKE SURE you read at least Section 8 below for important, security related post-installation instructions.

How in the hell do I do this using SmartFTP?

[EDIT] Fixed this part. But now I'm having problems with getting the database stuff set up. I'm running WinXPHE and MySQL 4.0.

~ver

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2003-10-19 05:50am

What exactly are you having problems with? The permissions?

http://www.smartftp.com/support/howto/
Watch the CHMOD tutorial. That should tell you everything. IIRC, the values you'll need to remember are 777 (Everyone) and 666 (Just yourself).

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 06:00am

Actually, I figured that out.. now I need to figure out what exactly I should put for the Database name.. I don't know what's supposed to go there.

~ver

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2003-10-19 06:16am

IIRC, phpBB needs a mySQL database, and it creates that during the setup, yes?

Depending on who's hosting you, you'll usually end up with all of your databases being
youraccountname_yourdatabasename

So something like
verilon_forums
or
verilon_phpbb
would be fine.

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 07:22am

Archaic` wrote:IIRC, phpBB needs a mySQL database, and it creates that during the setup, yes?

Not during the MySQL setup, no..

Depending on who's hosting you, you'll usually end up with all of your databases being
youraccountname_yourdatabasename

So something like
verilon_forums
or
verilon_phpbb
would be fine.

Ok.. but if this fucking tutorial would speak to me in layman's terms, it would be a helluva lot easier.

~ver

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 07:48am

Everything about MySQL server databases that I don't understand for shit.

~ver

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-10-19 12:40pm

Sorry, Verilon, but you generally need to be somewhat versed in SQL and the way of UNIX shells to get a phpBB board up. Maybe Mike will pop in and get you some help.

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 01:18pm

phongn wrote:Sorry, Verilon, but you generally need to be somewhat versed in SQL and the way of UNIX shells to get a phpBB board up. Maybe Mike will pop in and get you some help.

Mmk. It's just that it doesn't even tell me where to begin or what I should be using in order to get this all started.

~ver

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-10-19 08:27pm

What kind of access do you have to this server? Is it a shared host, or do you have root access?

If it's a CPanel server, you can use the user panel functions to make a MySQL database, with a database name, username and password that you specify yourself (and which you plug into phpBB's configuration screen). If it's a dedicated server, you will need to make sure that MySQL and PHP are installed and functional, and then you will have to install PHPMyAdmin in order to work with it via a GUI because most people are more comfortable that way.

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 08:39pm

Darth Wong wrote:What kind of access do you have to this server? Is it a shared host, or do you have root access?

It's a shared host, but I do also have root access..

At least, I think so.

If it's a CPanel server, you can use the user panel functions to make a MySQL database, with a database name, username and password that you specify yourself (and which you plug into phpBB's configuration screen).

Ok, there's the first problem. I can't do CPanel ANYTHING. My computer is stupid and I haven't even been able to FTP anything except through an FTP client. Every time I try to gain access through FTP via Internet browser, it times out on me.

If it's a dedicated server, you will need to make sure that MySQL and PHP are installed and functional, and then you will have to install PHPMyAdmin in order to work with it via a GUI because most people are more comfortable that way.

I've tried instialling PHPMyAdmin. It won't let me create a new database, much less connect to anything.

[EDIT] Actually, the problem I was having with PHPMyAdmin was finding the install file.

There's a file that is called "INSTALL" but it doesn't even have a fiel extension.

~ver

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-10-19 09:26pm

verilon wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:What kind of access do you have to this server? Is it a shared host, or do you have root access?
It's a shared host, but I do also have root access..

At least, I think so.

If it's a shared hosting account, you don't have root access. Root access means that your username is root and your password is really fucking important.

If it's a CPanel server, you can use the user panel functions to make a MySQL database, with a database name, username and password that you specify yourself (and which you plug into phpBB's configuration screen).
Ok, there's the first problem. I can't do CPanel ANYTHING. My computer is stupid and I haven't even been able to FTP anything except through an FTP client. Every time I try to gain access through FTP via Internet browser, it times out on me.

CPanel has nothing to do with FTP; CPanel shared hosting accounts have a web administration interface.

As for FTP, it sounds like you need to enable passive FTP to get around a firewall, and that's not the default setting in many versions of Internet Exploder. However, Mozilla handles it fairly well.

I've tried instialling PHPMyAdmin. It won't let me create a new database, much less connect to anything.

[EDIT] Actually, the problem I was having with PHPMyAdmin was finding the install file. There's a file that is called "INSTALL" but it doesn't even have a fiel extension.

~ver

That file is a text file. What you need to do in order to configure phpMyAdmin is to edit the config.inc.php file. It's fully commented, but one hint is that you should use "cookies" as the authentication method. If you tell me the hostname, I can create a working config.inc.php file for you.

PS. What's the webhost you're using?

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 09:33pm

Darth Wong wrote:If it's a shared hosting account, you don't have root access. Root access means that your username is root and your password is really fucking important.

Ok, then you lost me.

CPanel has nothing to do with FTP; CPanel shared hosting accounts have a web administration interface.

Ok, so exactly what *is* CPanel, and how do I access and use it?

As for FTP, it sounds like you need to enable passive FTP to get around a firewall, and that's not the default setting in many versions of Internet Exploder. However, Mozilla handles it fairly well.

How might I be able to do that? And I use Opera, actually; I seem to always have a hard time with Mozilla. Last time I had it installed, it went corrupt and stopped working.

That file is a text file. What you need to do in order to configure phpMyAdmin is to edit the config.inc.php file. It's fully commented, but one hint is that you should use "cookies" as the authentication method. If you tell me the hostname, I can create a working config.inc.php file for you.

PS. What's the webhost you're using?

Ok.. and actually Hyperion is hosting my site off of http://firebrand.ath.cx (my site is http://firebrand.ath.cx/verilon/ ).

~ver

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-10-19 10:02pm

verilon wrote:Ok, then you lost me.

Sorry, I didn't realize that you didn't have any experience with UNIX.

CPanel has nothing to do with FTP; CPanel shared hosting accounts have a web administration interface.
Ok, so exactly what *is* CPanel, and how do I access and use it?

With most commercial webhosts nowadays, they have a web administration interface and they will give you instructions on using it when you sign up. I didn't realize you were using Hyperion's apparently home-hosted system.

As for FTP, it sounds like you need to enable passive FTP to get around a firewall, and that's not the default setting in many versions of Internet Exploder. However, Mozilla handles it fairly well.
How might I be able to do that? And I use Opera, actually; I seem to always have a hard time with Mozilla. Last time I had it installed, it went corrupt and stopped working.

I've never tried using Opera for FTP, but you should check the options or preferences for FTP options and something called "Passive FTP". I've never heard of problems installing Mozilla.

That file is a text file. What you need to do in order to configure phpMyAdmin is to edit the config.inc.php file. It's fully commented, but one hint is that you should use "cookies" as the authentication method. If you tell me the hostname, I can create a working config.inc.php file for you.

PS. What's the webhost you're using?
Ok.. and actually Hyperion is hosting my site off of http://firebrand.ath.cx (my site is http://firebrand.ath.cx/verilon/ ).

~ver

Ah, I see. It all makes sense now; he's using Windows 2000 ASE for his server; most of the good webhosts use some kind of UNIX variant such as Linux or FreeBSD for their servers (certainly, all of the high-availability, high-reliability webhosts do). Windows 2000 ASE can still support phpBB, but it has to have MySQL and PHP installed, and I'm guessing that it has neither. He's probably using IIS instead of Apache too.

In short, talk to Hyperion. He needs to install some software if you're going to run freeware web apps on his server (honestly, I can't understand why anyone would use Win2kASE for a home webserver anyway, particularly one that is ostensibly being set up for his personal learning experience; it is designed to be plug-n-play with minimal customization flexibility; exactly the wrong sort of environment for learning).

Hyperion · Post by **Hyperion** » 2003-10-19 10:06pm

You should have a chat with the friends of mine who are running UNIX and linux servers, they have a lot of issues tinkering with them. Mine has been running fine, even with my incessant messing with it.

Btw, I am not using IIS.

If someone can tell me where I can get the software needed, I can probably have this thing available within the hour.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-10-19 10:13pm

Hyperion wrote:You should have a chat with the friends of mine who are running UNIX and linux servers, they have a lot of issues tinkering with them.

If somebody gives you a working engine and a toolbox and you fuck it up, don't blame the engine. I've run Linux servers with uptimes of more than a year. That's simply not possible with a Windows server, unless you never install security patches and don't push the system (which is not exactly a good idea).

Mine has been running fine, even with my incessant messing with it.

Btw, I am not using IIS.

If someone can tell me where I can get the software needed, I can probably have this thing available within the hour.

OK, you can get mysql here and you can get php here. I don't have experience installing and configuring these programs on Windows; you'll have to read the README or INSTALL files that come with them.

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-19 10:13pm

Darth Wong wrote:
verilon wrote:Ok, then you lost me.
Sorry, I didn't realize that you didn't have any experience with UNIX.

It's ok.. I should have stated so.

I've never tried using Opera for FTP, but you should check the options or preferences for FTP options and something called "Passive FTP". I've never heard of problems installing Mozilla.

Eh, the deal with that is that I had it running for a few weeks before it shut down on me. Took it off the comp and never reinstalled it, but I'll have to look for the Passive FTP thing.

Ah, I see. It all makes sense now; he's using Windows 2000 ASE for his server; most of the good webhosts use some kind of UNIX variant such as Linux or FreeBSD for their servers (certainly, all of the high-availability, high-reliability webhosts do). Windows 2000 ASE can still support phpBB, but it has to have MySQL and PHP installed, and I'm guessing that it has neither. He's probably using IIS instead of Apache too.

In short, talk to Hyperion. He needs to install some software if you're going to run freeware web apps on his server (honestly, I can't understand why anyone would use Win2kASE for a home webserver anyway, particularly one that is ostensibly being set up for his personal learning experience; it is designed to be plug-n-play with minimal customization flexibility; exactly the wrong sort of environment for learning).

Eh.. If I could run it MYSELF, that would be great, but until I can get my OWN stuff (which won't be until January at the earliest), I won't be able to. I would like to know how to do this stuff ahead of time, though, so when I convert everything over, I am prepared to do so, and so I know how to do things like this in the future.

~ver

Pu-239 · Post by **Pu-239** » 2003-10-19 10:22pm

So he *might* have root access granted to him by hyperion, who appears to be running it off a home computer using dyndns, so........

Just ask Hyperion to set it up

Hyperion · Post by **Hyperion** » 2003-10-19 11:52pm

Just installed MySQL, that proggie seems to be working, but phpBB can't seem to work with it, it tells me access denied on startup.

If anyone wants to fuck around with that half of it, I have a test install here: http://firebrand.ath.cx/board if you can get it to set up, let me know.

If someone could tell me how to set the thing up, I could have it running in very short order.

Crayz9000 · Post by **Crayz9000** » 2003-10-19 11:55pm

Sheez, can't you just use Apache?

September 4, 2002:
PHP PROBLEMS WITH VERSION 2.10

It has come to our attention that many of you are experiencing problems with PHP scripts after upgrading to version 2.10. Many of the problems have to do with settings in your php.ini file. If you are getting a "Security Alert! The PHP CGI cannot be accessed directly." message, this is because you have installed a version of PHP that was not bundled with the server. To fix this problem, find your php.ini file (usually in your WINNT or WINDOWS directory) and change the following setting:

Post by **AdmiralKanos** » 2003-10-20 12:02am

Hyperion wrote:Just installed MySQL, that proggie seems to be working, but phpBB can't seem to work with it, it tells me access denied on startup.

Did you install PHP as well?

If anyone wants to fuck around with that half of it, I have a test install here: http://firebrand.ath.cx/board if you can get it to set up, let me know.

It's ignoring the index.php file, which tells me that PHP is either not installed or not working.

Hyperion · Post by **Hyperion** » 2003-10-20 02:18am

First thing: I tried Apache, and it is still installed in the server someplace, but disabled, I never could figure it out.

I didn't know you had to install PHP... That probably would have helped...

Hyperion · Post by **Hyperion** » 2003-10-20 02:50am

Installed PHP, took a while to make it allow me in (stupid security stuff that I really don't want to worry about right now)

Still can't make the dumb thing access the database...

Anyone know how to setup SQL?

Post by **AdmiralKanos** » 2003-10-20 03:23am

Hyperion wrote:Installed PHP, took a while to make it allow me in (stupid security stuff that I really don't want to worry about right now)

Still can't make the dumb thing access the database...

Anyone know how to setup SQL?

It can't access the database because it hasn't been created. You can use command-line operations to make an SQL database, or you can install phpmyadmin ( from www.phpmyadmin.net ) and edit the config.inc.php file to make it work. You'll need a login account and password, but there should be a default one set up by the MySQL installer (on UNIX systems, the default is root with no password).

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-10-20 07:35am

AdmiralKanos wrote:
Hyperion wrote:Installed PHP, took a while to make it allow me in (stupid security stuff that I really don't want to worry about right now)

Still can't make the dumb thing access the database...

Anyone know how to setup SQL?
It can't access the database because it hasn't been created. You can use command-line operations to make an SQL database, or you can install phpmyadmin ( from www.phpmyadmin.net ) and edit the config.inc.php file to make it work. You'll need a login account and password, but there should be a default one set up by the MySQL installer (on UNIX systems, the default is root with no password).

Would there be a way that I might be able to do this from where I'm at? If so, how would I do so?

~ver

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-10-20 03:32pm

Darth Wong wrote:OK, you can get mysql here and you can get php here. I don't have experience installing and configuring these programs on Windows; you'll have to read the README or INSTALL files that come with them.

I have. It's no biggie. I even have a running osCommerce test platform here at work, in a freshly installed XP pro.

MySQL is easy enough, you just install it and run a certain program that automatically sets up the service (winmysqladmin). PHP you have to do some minor editing, mostly just copying an INI file to your Windows directory (NOT in system32, it won't work there) and a DLL too. In this INI there's some path referencing your install directory, this is usually C:\PHP. Installing Apache is a little bit more involved, as you have to manually configure the CONF files to load the PHP libraries.