I'm new and I'm lost.... Oh my....

[Star]

Hello... I'm new at all this php stuff and am way stuck...

This is also my first time with a server... So I'm in double trouble.

I want to upload phpbb 2.0.. I uploaded all the files into my file mangager.. I made a database, I'm lost on the data source name, (or is that the data base name) I guess I don't know how to create a system dsn that points to the location of the ms_access_primer.mdb file that is in my ftp storage. Do I need the phpAdmin. I've looked through all the questions and forums... but didn't find anything to help me....

I would be very grateful for any help...

Thank you...... STAR

[Stewart]

hmmm, i think that as i am doing *nothing* hm hm, at the moment, ill write a quick tutorial or auto script to sort this out for hostrocket accounts.

anyways, dsn is windows, but for linux like the servers here if i remember rightly it the host, in other words: localhost

[Gforce]

You are using mySQL no Access so why are you concenerend with ms_access_primer.mdb. After I read the install and followed the instructions there I was up and running. Yes you need to point to the data base on localhost.

Can you run install.php?

[Stewart]

hey,

im just working on the auto hostrocket setup, i have got it creating databases and users, more to go though...

[Star]

Thanks guys... I'll print this up and work on it some more....
A tutorial would be great... faeries is a old way to spell "fairies" as in little people, elf's... tinker bell....

I'm really new at this, computer stuff, so I don't know much about it at all... Thanks for the help... I'm going to be a pest.... Smiles.... Star

Later on...

OK... I must be really stupid.. because I just can not figure this out.

Do I need to upload my php files into the public_html???????

I can't figure out how to use the mysql. I get to the part with the tables and I'm lost.

I'm trying to follow the instructions that came with the php software, and they say I need to point to the ms_access_primer.mdb... file location.. I don't know how to point to the data base on localhost or how to get my files into that database.. I tired to run the install php, but got nothing... Following the insturtions is really hard when I don't know what they are talking about... with all the computer lingo.... This is something I need to do, and learn, so I'm going to stick with it until I figure it out... HELP>>>>>>>>>> HELP>>>>> thanks much.... Star

[don5408]

"I can't figure out how to use the mysql. I get to the part with the tables and I'm lost...I'm trying to follow the instructions that came with the php software, and they say I need to point to the ms_access_primer.mdb"

Hi, Star. The instructions you are referring to above are under "Installing on MS Access 2000/XP", as GForce noted those aren't applicable here as you are using MySQL and NOT MS Access. Ignore that particular section altogether as it doesn't apply to you.

"I don't know how to point to the data base on localhost or how to get my files into that database"

Once you successfully get to the phpBB2 installation page there will be fields in which you will enter the necessary information (details below).

"I tired to run the install php, but got nothing..."

OK, well first of all please be aware that there are currently some problems with PHP functionality on some of HR's servers due to the fact that HR was forced to perform some unplanned and unexpected server updates as a result of some Apache security issues which came to light recently. HostRocket is working on resolving these issues as we speak and they may not even effect you, however keep in mind that at this point in time if a given PHP-related feature doesn't work it may or may not be something you are doing wrong.

"Following the insturtions is really hard when I don't know what they are talking about... with all the computer lingo..."

See if the following helps at all...feel free to holler back if you have any questions.

Setting Up phpBB2

1- Create a MySQL database for your phpBB

- Go to MySQL Manager in your HR Control Panel
- After DB: type phpbb > Click Add DB
- At the bottom of the page under Users type a
username and password > Click Add User
- If you click the Refresh button on your browser toolbar to
reload the MySQL Manager page at this point at the bottom of
the "Databases" section you should see your new user listed
in the dropdown menu after "User:" and your new database
listed in the "DB:" dropdown menu. If you do just click the
Add User to DB button to add your user to your database and
you're done.

Note: Both your database name and username will be in the format userid_name where userid is the main userid associated with your account and name is the name you have given your database or user.

Example:

If your site is mydomain.com and the userid for your HR account is mydomai then your MySQL database for your phpBB would be named mydomai_phpbb and the database user would be mydomai_username

2- Upload the phpBB files

If you're uploading the phpBB files via an FTP client you want to upload the complete contents of the phpBB2 folder you extracted from the phpBB download (ex: phpBB-2.0.0.zip), making sure to retain the same directory structure online as is found in the local phpBB2 folder on your hard drive. Upload all *.php *.inc *.sql *.cfg and *.htm files in ASCII mode and all *.gif graphics in binary mode.

3- Install/Configure phpBB

After uploading all of the files point your browser to the directory in which you uploaded the phpBB files, for example if you uploaded the phpBB2 folder to your root public_html folder you would type http://www.mydomain.com/phpBB2 into your browser's address bar. This should bring up the phpBB installation screen.

There are a number of items you have to enter on this configuration screen:

database type = mysql
database host = localhost
database name = userid_dbname
(the database name you setup in MySQL Manager, ex: mydomai_phpbb)
database user = userid_username
(the db username you setup in MySQL Manager, ex: mydomai_myusername)
database password = ********
(the db user password you setup in MySQL Manager)
database prefix = phpbb_ (default)
admin username = username
(new username created now for phpBB administration)
admin password = password
(new password created now for phpBB administration)
server name = your domain
(your domain w/o http://, ex: www.mydomain.com)
server port = 80
script path = /phpBB2/
(the path to your phpBB files relative to your root public_html folder...if you uploaded the phpBB files to http://www.mydomain.com/phpBB2 then you would enter /phpBB2/ here)

4- Delete the phpBB setup files

After setting up your phpBB the following files should be deleted for security reasons:

- install.php
- upgrade.php
- update_to_FINAL.php

Note: You can optionally delete the following folders and their contents to save space:

- the docs folder
- the contrib folder
- the schemas folder under db (db/schemas)

5- Setup your board(s)

Access your phpBB boards via the same URL you typed above to get to the installation menu (ex: http://www.mydomain.com/phpBB2), log on using your administrator userid and password and click the "Go to Administration Panel" link at the bottom. The Administration Panel is where you setup, configure and maintain your board(s).

Hope that helps!
Don

[Star]

Hi, don5408

Thank you, oh so much for the info.... This should help me alot...

I'll print it up and give it a go...

May the computer goddess shine on you today, tomorrow and always :) :)

Star

[Star]

OK, this helped alot, I got much closer this time...

When I point my browse to http://www.mydomain.com/phpBB

mydomain = enchantedfaeriesforest.com

I get this...

Warning: Failed opening 'includes/functions_selects.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 28

Warning: Failed opening './includes/sql_parse.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 247

Warning: Failed opening './includes/constants.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 248

Warning: Failed opening './includes/template.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 249

Warning: Failed opening './includes/functions.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 250

Warning: Failed opening './includes/sessions.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 251

Warning: Failed opening './language/lang_english/lang_main.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 256

Warning: Failed opening './language/lang_english/lang_admin.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 257

Fatal error: Cannot instantiate non-existent class: template in /home/enchant/public_html/install.php on line 2

__________________________________________________________________


I have the database now and the database user and I understand all of that... I checked and all of these files are in my public_html folder... I even re-uploaded them, just in case...
I understand what comes after this also... on the php installation screen... now.... If I can just get into it....

Thanks for all the help so far, I hate to be a pest.. but I really want to do this, and I need to learn it... So..... What can I do now????????

Thanks again for all the help... Smiles... STAR

[don5408]

Hi, Star. First of all congrats on your progress.

Looking at the error messages it would be my guess that the problem is with your uploading of the files...while you may have uploaded all of the necessary files I suspect that the files may not be in the correct paths relative to your root directory. As I mentioned while one can simply upload the phpBB2 files via an FTP client or the HR File Manager it is important to make sure to retain the same directory structure online as is found in the local phpBB2 folder on your hard drive.

As far as this error:
Failed opening 'includes/functions_selects.php'

...if you have uploaded the phpBB2 files to your root public_html folder (which seems to be the case as I don't get the errors you mention when I try to access http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com/phpBB but rather when I load http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com) in order to be found the functions_selects.php file would have to be located in a subdirectory of your public_html folder named "includes", and that folder doesn't seem to exist.

I'd recommend at this point that you delete the files you uploaded to date and start over working from a "clean slate".

Create a phpBB2 folder in your public_html folder and upload the phpBB2 files to that folder exactly as they are found in the phpBB2 folder on your hard drive:

- Upload the *.php files from the phpBB2 folder on your hard drive to the public_html/phpBB2 folder
- Create a folder named admin in your phpBB2 folder online
- Upload the *.php files from the phpBB2\admin folder on your hard drive to the public_html/phpBB2/admin folder
- Repeat the above steps creating the other seven subdirectories found in the phpBB2 folder on your hard drive (contrib, db, docs, images, includes, language and templates) in your online phpBB2 folder and uploading the files and folders found inside them so that the "directory tree" under your online phpBB2 folder is identical to what you have offline.

If you need further assistance let us know exactly how you are uploading the phpBB2 files (are you using the HR File Manager or an FTP program, and if the latter which program?)

Don

[Star]

Thank-you... For taking the time to help me... You are right I do not have any subdirectory.... But I will soon.... I think I get it now... You have all been wonderful... Smiles... Star

[don5408]

"Thank-you...You are right I do not have any subdirectory.... But I will soon.... I think I get it now"

You're welcome. I'm sure that once you get all the files uploaded in the proper paths you'll have no trouble, but if you do have any further problems just holler back.

Best wishes,
Don

[Star]

OK, I will... hee hee.. I think I got it now. Busy with studies and a huge test today, so I haven't had the time to get in there, but it's clear in my head now... Thank's again... I'll post and show you what I'm doing when I got it up and running... :) Star

[Star]

Hi Don,

It's me again... OK.. I got to the install screen for php, went thorugh that, but when I pull up all I can pull up is my index screen???? PHP says


"The reason why you see the index of your webserver, is that you don't have any default index site, e.g. index.htm , index.html, index.php etc."

Ones again my stupid is showing, (hee hee) but I'm determend to do this... I don't know what a default index site, is????

Like a "homepage" ????? Or do I need to change the name of my site, or set up something different all together...

Thank-you... once again... Star

[don5408]

"It's me again... OK.. I got to the install screen for php,
went thorugh that, but when I pull up all I can pull up is
my index screen????"

OK, from what I can see it looks like you have the files all in place, however it doesn't appear that you have run (at least sucessfully) the phpBB installation yet. Try this:

Point your browser towards http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com/phpBB2
and enter the following:

- After "Default board language" select English
- After "Database Type" select MySQL 3.x
- After "Choose your installation method" select Install
- After "Database Server Hostname / DSN" type localhost
- After "Your Database Name" type enchant_phpbb
(assuming that you named your database "phpbb", adjust if needed)
- After "Database Username" type enchant_USER where USER is the database user name you created in MySQL Manager
- After "Database Password" type the password you set up for the database user you created in MySQL Manager
- After "Prefix for tables in database" leave that as phpbb_
- After "Admin Email Address" type your email address
- After "Domain Name" leave this as www.enchantedfaeriesforest.com
- After "Server Port" leave this as 80
- After "Script path' leave this as /phpBB2/
- After "Administrator Username" type a new username for your phpBB
- After "Administrator Password" type a new password
- After "Administrator Password [ Confirm ]" type the password again
- Click the "Start Install" button

If everything works as designed your board should install, and entering the URL http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com/phpBB2 should bring you to your board (don't forget to delete the install.php, upgrade.php and update_to_FINAL.php files when you are done).

"'The reason why you see the index of your webserver, is that you don't have any default index site, e.g. index.htm , index.html, index.php etc.'...Ones again my stupid is showing, (hee hee) but I'm determend to do this... I don't know what a default index site, is????"

OK, well the reason that you see a file listing at enchantedfaeriesforest.com rather than a "home page" at this point is that you haven't yet uploaded any pages. When you create and upload your site (I'm assuming that you are in the process of creating a website and that this message board is planned as only one componant of the site, if I misunderstood and you plan on creating a message board forum ONLY at enchantedfaeriesforest.com let me know as there are ways to address that) you'll want to name your main page "index". Once you upload an index page (index.htm, index.html, index.php) to your root public_html folder that page will automatically be loaded when someone types enchantedfaeriesforest.com into a browser.

Best o' luck, keep us posted
Don

[Star]

HI... :)

Point your browser towards http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com/phpBB2
and enter the following:

OK I did that... (for like the 6th time) and when I tried to pull it up again, I got the install page again.. so I deleted the install.php, upgrad.php and there wasn't any update_to_FINAL.php files.. but there was an update_to_201php file.. I tried again but got a error screen.. so I deleted the update_to_201php file...

Maybe I need the update_to_FINAL.php file for it to complete the installation???? It's not in my org. php files that I have on my hard drive...

When I pull up the http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com/phpBB2 I still got an error screen....

I do have a working website... And am planning on making up a lead page for the forums... But this isn't for business, it's for a creative outlet.... (the creative stuff is easy for me.. it's the left brain work that fights with my mind...) hee hee.... I'm doing this so I can set up a on line community for writers and "faeries".... "The Enchanted Faeries Forest" kind of like Paganpoet.com or MysticWicks.com only with a Faery type format.

But mostly for writers and story tellers, children and little people.... And so I can post my stuff there too, of course... As well as some of my writer friends...

Thanks for all the help... I am much greatful...

Slow but Sure...With a tired left brain... But still trying... Star...

[don5408]

"I did that... (for like the 6th time) and when I tried to pull it up again, I got the install page again..."

OK, well I *think* I may know what the problem is. When you ran the install did you get a message that "your config file is un-writeable at present" and a prompt to FTP or download the config.php file?

I just noticed that you have a copy of config.php in your public_html folder...if you got the message I mentioned above and you inadvertantly uploaded the config.php file to public_html rather than to the phpBB2 folder that would explain why the installation isn't completing and the install page is still coming up instead of your forums.

If the above rings true and you downloaded the config.php file to your hard drive and still have it just upload it to your phpBB2 folder (if you use the HR file manager make sure to check the "overwrite existing files" box) and you should be good to go. If you don't have a copy move the existing copy to the phpBB2 folder by doing this:

- Open the HR File Manager
- Open the public_html folder
- Click on the config.php file
- In the smaller left hand window click "Move File"
- Click on the public_html folder (on the folder icon, not the words "public_html")
- Click on the phpBB2 folder (on the words "phpBB2", not the folder icon next to it)
- That's it...try loading http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com/phpBB2 in a browser, see if you can get to your board

If you STILL have problems check your email for an alternate suggestion.

"I deleted the install.php, upgrad.php and there wasn't any update_to_FINAL.php files.. but there was an update_to_201php file.. I tried again but got a error screen.. so I deleted the update_to_201php file..."

That's fine...the steps I posted above describe a phpBB2 version 2.0 installation, you have the just-released 2.0.1 version. About the only key difference is that instead of "update_to_FINAL.php" you have "update_to_201.php". Deleting that was fine, that's not an issue.

"am planning on making up a lead page for the forums..."

Fine...when you do just name it "index.html" and upload it to your public_html folder.

"I'm doing this so I can set up a on line community for writers and "faeries".... "The Enchanted Faeries Forest" kind of like Paganpoet.com or MysticWicks.com only with a Faery type format."

Understood...Paganpoet.com would be an example of what I thought you were doing (building a site which includes a message board forum amongst other content). The other site you mentioned (MysticWicks.com) is an example of a site which consists of a message board ONLY. As long as you are planning something closer to Paganpoet.com than MysticWicks.com and intend to have at least an entry portal or "home page" you're fine, just upload that as your index and include a link to your forum which is at http://enchantedfaeriesforest.com/phpBB2

If you decide that you want to forgo any other content and have a board only (along the lines of the MysticWicks.com example) post back and we can give you details on having enchantedfaeriesforest.com point directly to your boards.

Best o' luck!
Don

[Star]

Thank you, I have to study today but will check all this out asap.... You have been so much help and so nice to me... Star

Yes, more like Paganpoet...

[Star]

OK... "your config file is un-writeable at present" yes I did get that message and I uploaded the files to public_html and the phpBB2 folder because I didn't know which place to put them... I deleted the files out of public_html, but still can't pull up the page?

Thank-you for all of your help so far. Star

[don5408]

"your config file is un-writeable at present" yes I did get that message and I uploaded the files to public_html and the phpBB2 folder because I didn't know which place to put them"

Well that's clearly where we hit a snag (I neglected to specifically address the config.php file and the options for handling that in my step-by-step walkthough and I probably should have, that's at least partially my bad). I suspect that either you inadvertanly uploaded the wrong copy of config.php or if you uploaded via the HR File Manager when you uploaded it you may have neglected to check the "Overwrite existing files" box, in any case the config.php file in your /phpBB2 folder was a 0 byte "empty" copy rather than the one which was updated by the phpBB install routine.

In any case it's water under the bridge as I'll note that in between posts we've since managed to get the board up and running (stick a fork in this thread, hopefully it's done ;-)

Best o' luck with your forums!
Don

[Star]

Thank-You.. So much.... I brought that fork, and yes it is well done.... hee hee.. Star