| + Sections: Installation Problems | Admin CP Problems | Board Problems | Getting Further Help + |
| Installation Problems | +
|
+ When I run the installer, I get a page of code.
+ + If when accessing the installer via your web browser you receive a page of code and not the installation start screen, this means that either PHP has + not been installed or has not been configured properly. Please consult with your web host to see if this is the case. + + I get an error like this 'access denied for user@localhost using password YES' when I submit the main form. + + If you receive this error from mySQL it means that either the mySQL database name, mySQL username, mySQL password or mySQL host information is wrong. Please double check the information you + entered making sure that passwords are typed correctly. In some cases, this information is case sensitive. If this error persists, please consult with your web host to check that the information + you have is correct. + + After installing, I get this error 'Warning: fopen("/.install.lock", "w") - Permission denied ...' + + After installing, Invision Board attempts to create a "lock" file which disables the installation script. If you receive this error, the installer + has not been able to create this file. After you have logged into the Admin Center for the first time, you should remove the "sm_install.php" script + from your server and only re-upload it if you wish to make a fresh install. You can then safely ignore this warning. + + When installing I get an error like this: 'WARNING! Could not locate 'conf_global.php' + + This error means that the installer could not "guess" the location of the file 'conf_global.php'. Make sure you have uploaded this file into the same directory that you + uploaded 'sm_install.php' into. If you have this file already uploaded and the CHMOD value has been set, then you can tell the installer where to look for this file by simply + opening 'sm_install.php' in your favourite text editor. Look near the top for "$root = "./";". Edit this to reflect your "real" path. Note, this is a path - not a URL, entering "http://www.domain.com" or similar will + result in an error. A path is literally the file path from the server root to the current directory (such as '/home/site/public_html/forums/'). More information is provided in the script near the top. When you have completed + the edit, simply save the file and re-upload to your server and re-run through your web browser. + |
| Admin CP Problems | +
|
+ No matter what I do, I can't stay logged into the Admin CP.
+ + For extra security, the Admin CP checks your IP address as part of the admin session validation. In some cases your IP address will change with each page request (especially if you are using a dial up ISP). You can + stop the Admin CP checking your IP address which will solve the problem. + To do this, open up "admin.php" in your text editor. Near the top of the script change $check_ip = 1; to $check_ip = 0;. Save the file and re-upload to your + server. + Although there is no immediate security risk to doing this, you should not disclose your admin session ID to anyone or post the link you are using for that admin CP session to anyone. + + When I try to access the Admin CP, the page is completely blank + + This problem could be the result of a few things. + Firstly, open up "admin.php" in a text editor and near the top change: $use_gzip = 1; to $use_gzip = 0;. Save the file and re-upload to your + server. + + If that doesn't solve the problem, check the CHMOD values on the directories you created during the installation process. If in doubt, CHMOD them to 0777 and any directories contained within. + |
| General Board Problems | +
|
+ Every time I try to access a page on the forums it loads a blank page.
+ + Can you log into the Admin CP? If you do not know the url, enter the following into your web browser address bar http://www.your-domain-here.com/forums/admin.php (obviously using the correct URL to your board!). + If the Admin CP loads first time, try the following: + Click on "Board Settings" to expand the sub-menu. Click on "Basic Config". When the page has loaded, turn off the following: Print HTTP headers? and DISABLE GZIP encoding?. When complete, submit the form + and try to access your board again. + + If it still loads a blank page, check the CHMOD values on the directories you created during the installation including any directories contained within. If in doubt, CHMOD to 0777. + + I am on a Windows server and I get an Internal Server Error when trying to access my board + + There is an option to disable the headers that Invision Board prints by default. + Log into your Admin Control Panel, click on "Board Settings" to expand the sub-menu. Click on "Basic Config". When the page has loaded, turn off Print HTTP headers? and submit the form + and try to access your board again. + + I am on a Windows server and when I make a post I am taken to a blank page + + Some Windows based servers require a different HTTP protocol when redirecting HTTP requests, there is an option in the Admin Control Panel to overcome this. + + Log into your Admin Control Panel, click on "Board Settings" to expand the sub-menu. Click on "Basic Config". Choose "Refresh (Windows Savvy) from the "Type of auto-redirect?" option. Submit the form. + |
| Getting further help | +
|
+ If you have a problem outside the ones solved in this guide, then don't panic! + We have a large team of trained support professionals that will be able to provide a solution to your problems. + Your first stop would be to open a new support ticket. The FREE ticket system is available from the Invision Board Member Center. When starting a new ticket, please + be as thorough as you can in your error reporting, it will save our team time in responding to you. We pride ourselves on quality, professional support and aim to answer your request as promptly as possible. + + You can also post a problem on our "Support and Community Boards". We have a large active community who have experience in maintaining their Invision Board who may be able to give you a prompt reply - our support professionals also moderate these forums and + will read your posts. We do recommend that you make use of the search facility on the board to avoid posting problems that have already been posted - there is also a good chance that it's already been reported, discussed and solved. + + + You may wish to consider our "Priority Support" option. A once only fee will cover you for all support requests for a period of one year (12 months). + Priority support entitles you to the following benefits: +
+For more information on our priority support service, please visit our Invision Board Member Center. + +If you wish to contact us, please visit our Contact Page which includes a handy email form, mailing address and telephone number. + |
+
| Installing: Step 1 - Uploading | +
|
+ At this point, you should have the zip archive "unzipped" and the contents similar to those shown in the structure and CHMOD guide. If you + do not have a similar structure, check to make sure you have your zip program preferences set to allow creation of directories and to preserve case and long filenames. + + If you haven't done so already, create a new directory on your server named appropriately (if you wanted to access the forums via 'http://www.domain.com/forums/', create a directory called 'forums' in the + 'public_html' or 'www' directory on your webserver. + + Using your FTP client, move into the directory you wish to upload to (if you followed the above advice, move into the newly created 'forums' directory.) + + Using your FTP client, create the following directories "archive_in", "archive_out", "html", "lang", "Skin", "sources", "ssi_templates", "style_images", + "style_sheets", "style_templates" and "uploads" (TIP: If your FTP client supports "Drag n' Drop" which most modern clients do, you can save yourself some time and effort by + simply selecting all the files from the "unzipped" zip archive and drag them into your FTP client window, this will then copy all the files, creating the directories as it goes. If you choose + to do this, you can safely ignore most of the following instruction, just remember to CHMOD as outlined in the stucture and CHMOD guide). + + Once the directories have been created, CHMOD "archive_in", "archive_out" and "uploads" to 0755 (if you get permissions errors later on, you can CHMOD these to + "0777"). Now, upload the contents of the files in your local folders (from the zip file) into the corresponding directories you've just created on your server. Some folders will contain other + files and folders, upload them all - preserving the structure you have in your zip file (for example, upload the entire contents of the "html" folder on your computer to the "html" directory on the server). + + Once you have finished uploading into the directories, upload the rest of the files "admin.php", "conf_global.php", "conf_mime_types.php", "index.php", + "phpinfo.php", "sm_install.php", "ssi.php" to the same place as you created the directories earlier (into "forums" for our example). + + CHMOD "conf_global.php" to 0666 (if you get permission denied errors later on, you can CHMOD this to 0777). + + That's it, the hard work is now done! You can proceed to the next step. + |
+
| Installing: Step 2 - Using the Installer | +
|
+ An installer is provided to assist you in entering the information Invision Board needs to connect to your mySQL database and to create your new
+ administrators account.
+ + Run the "sm_install.php" file through your web browser by entering the URL to it into your browser address bar (if you have followed our example, type in + http://www.domain.com/forums/sm_install.php, naturally subsituting 'domain.com' for your web address.) + + You will be presented with a short information screen, if you receive an error telling you that "conf_global.php" does not have suitable permissions, CHMOD "conf_global.php" to + 0777 via your FTP client. + + Clicking on proceed will present you with a simple information form. You will need to know your mySQL username and password at this point. If you do not know it, please ask your web host - in most + cases it is different from the FTP log in information. + The form is very straightfoward, with only the following points needing closer examination. If you do not know what your mySQL "host" is, try "localhost" (without the quotes). if the mySQL server + is on the same server as your website (and in most cases it is) this will suffice. + + If you have created a new database for Invision Board, or wish to use an existing database, enter the name of the database in the appropriate field. Unless you intend to install multiple copies of + Invision Board into the same database, you can leave the "table prefix" blank. If you do not have a mySQL password (if you are installing Invision Board on your local server) this can be left blank. + + After submitting the form, you will be informed of any errors - if you do get an error similar to "permission denied for user@localhost using password YES" - the chances are you have either your mySQL username, mySQL password + or mySQL database name wrong. Consult with your webhost for the correct information and resubmit the form. + + If the installation was successful, you will receive notification to that effect. + + Follow the link to finish off the installation and to log into your newly installed board. When the log in page loads, enter in the information you chose for your administrator account. + + Once you are logged into the board, click on the "Admin CP" link found in the navigation bar to access the Administration Control Panel. + |
+
| Installing: Step 3 - Admin CP First Steps | +
|
+ The Invision Board administration control panel is a very sophisticated tool. This is where you can create new categories and forums for your board, as well
+ as set bad word filters, edit emoticons, change the board colours and so on. We recommend you browse the documentation at Invision Board before getting attempting some of the more complex operations.
+ + Lets get stuck in! + + The first thing you will need to do is remove the "sm_install.php" file from your server; although Invision Board locks the installer after a successful install, it's always a good idea to remove the installer as re-running it + will delete your database tables. + + Before anyone can post, we need some forums! + + If you wish to get stuck in straight away, now would be a good time to create some forums for your members to post in. + + In the Administrators CP, click on the "Forum Control" expanding menu in the left menu frame. When it loads, click on "New Category". + If your website was about computers, you could enter "PC Software" as the category name. Submit the form by clicking the button at the bottom of the page. + Now we have a category to "group" the forums, lets create a forum or two. + Click on "New Forum" found in the same expandable menu. Choose "Normal Forum" from the drop down box and proceed. + There are many options here, which are outside the scope of this guide, for more information see the documentation at Invision Board. We can + create a new forum without knowing what all the options do. Using our example, you might want a forum dedicated to "Games" - if so, enter "Games" as the forum title, and a suitable description for the new forum. When you have done this + scroll down and submit the form by clicking the button at the bottom of the page. + + If you now go back to your board, and refresh the page, you will see the new category and forum. Try a little test post to make sure the system is running perfectly. + + Congratulations! You have installed and set up your new Invision Board. If you ran into trouble, please click on the "Help!" link in the top menu bar for the FAQ and how to get support. + + Thank you for supporting Invision Board + |
+
| File Structure and CHMOD values | +|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below is a table showing the file structure and recommended CHMOD values for the file (and in the case of directories, the CHMOD
+ values for the contents of the directories). The CHMOD values are not needed for Windows based servers and can be safely ignored. The CHMOD + values may vary from system to system, if in doubt, CHMOD everything to 0777. Most systems will not need to CHMOD everything to install successfully, + use the table below to determine what needs CHMOD'ding for installation, and what can be left until later. + |
+ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
+
|
+
| Invision Board Installation and Help Guide | +
| [ Welcome ] :: [ Requirements ] :: [ Installing ] :: [ Structure & CHMOD ] :: [ Help & FAQ ] | +
| Welcome to Invision Board! | +
|
+ Welcome to Invision Board, a fast, efficient, scalable community solution written in PHP and using mySQL for database storage. + + This guide will help you through the installation process and get you on your way to setting up your own Invision Board. + + Installation is very straight forward, only taking about 15 minutes from uploading the files to logging into your administration center. + + + You will need an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client, if you do not have one you can download Smart FTP for Windows or + InterArchy for Macintosh. At the time of writing both websites have freeware or free trial versions available for download. + You do not need an indepth knowledge of PHP programming to install Invision Board, but a working knowledge of FTP functions is a plus. + + This guide assumes that you have successfully downloaded the latest release from Invision Board and have the Zip file "unzipped" and ready to go. + The instructions will term the zip file you downloaded as "the zip archive", the directories created by the unzipping process as "the local folders" and the directories on your website as + "website directories" - this is to prevent confusion. + + If you don't know your FTP from your PHP and your CHMOD from your CHOWN, then you might wish to consider our Installation Service. For a low cost, once only fee + - one of our installation professionals will install and set up your board for you. For more information, please visit our advanced services page. + |
| Requirements | +
| The exact requirements will depend on many factors, your estimated board traffic being one.
+ Server Requirements + + You must have a webserver that has PHP 4.0.3 (or better) and mySQL 3.22 (or better) installed. If you are unsure whether your server has these + programs installed, please check with your web host now. If you are capable, you can always download PHP + and download mySQL and install it yourself. + Invision Board works best on an Apache server, and is Apache 1 and Apache 2 savvy. + + General Requirements + + You do not need a new mySQL database as Invision Board supports table prefixes to prevent tables being overwritten. + You will also need the mySQL username and mySQL password for a mySQL user that has permission to "CREATE", "DROP" and "ALTER" tables. + You will need about 2mb of free web space and roughly 3mb of mySQL database space to allow installation and a moderately sized community. + If you are unsure on any of these points, please ask your webhost before proceeding. + + >> Enough chit chat, lets get installing! + |
+
| + Invision Board, Invision Board Installation Guide © 2002 Invision Power Services + | +
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INSERT INTO ibf_members (id, name, mgroup, password, email, joined, ip_address, avatar, avatar_size, posts, photo, aim_name, icq_number, location, signature, website, yahoo, title, allow_admin_mails, time_offset, interests, hide_email, email_pm, email_full, skin, warn_level, language, msnname, last_post, allow_post, view_sigs, view_img, view_avs, view_pop, bday_day, bday_month, bday_year, new_msg, msg_from_id, msg_msg_id, msg_total, vdirs, show_popup, validate_key, prev_group, new_pass, misc, last_visit, last_activity) VALUES (0, 'Guest', 2, '', 'guest@ibforums.com', 0, '', NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, 0, NULL, 0, 0, 0);
INSERT INTO ibf_skins (uid, sname, sid, set_id, tmpl_id, img_id, css_id, tbl_width, tbl_border, hidden, default_set) VALUES (1, 'Invision Board', 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, '95%', '#999999', 0, 1);
INSERT INTO ibf_stats (TOTAL_REPLIES, TOTAL_TOPICS, LAST_MEM_NAME, LAST_MEM_ID, MOST_DATE, MOST_COUNT, MEM_COUNT) VALUES (0, 0, NULL, '0', '0', '0', '0' );
INSERT INTO ibf_templates (tmid, template, name) VALUES (1, '
+
|
+ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| + | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| {$data[TITLE]} | +EOF; +} + +function aol_body($data) { +global $ibforums; +return <<|||||||||||||||||||||
      |
+
|
+ ||||||||||||||
| {$ibforums->lang['send_email_to']} {$data[NAME]} | +
| {$ibforums->lang['show_address_text']} | +>>{$ibforums->lang['send_email_to']} {$data[NAME]} | + +
+
|
+ ||||||||||
| {$ibforums->lang['email_sent']} | +
| {$ibforums->lang['email_sent_txt']} $member_name | +
+
|
+ ||||||||
| vars['php_ext']}?s={$ibforums->session_id}&act=ModCP&f=$data'>{$ibforums->lang['mod_cp']} | +
| {$rules['title']} {$rules['body']} |
+
| >>vars['php_ext']}?s={$ibforums->session_id}&act=SR&f={$rules['fid']}'>{$rules['title']} | +
+
|
+
| {$Data[SHOW_PAGES]} | +vars['php_ext']}?s={$ibforums->session_id}&act=Post&CODE=00&f={$Data['id']}'>{$ibforums->skin['A_POST']}{$Data[POLL_BUTTON]} | +
| {$ibforums->skin['B_NEW']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_open_new']} | +{$ibforums->skin['B_POLL']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_poll']} | +
+ + {$Data[FORUM_JUMP]} + |
+
| {$ibforums->skin['B_NORM']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_open_no']} | +{$ibforums->skin['B_POLL_NN']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_poll_no']} | +|
| {$ibforums->skin['B_HOT']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_hot_new']} | +{$ibforums->skin['B_LOCKED']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_locked']} | +|
| {$ibforums->skin['B_HOT_NN']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_hot_no']} | +{$ibforums->skin['B_MOVED']} | +{$ibforums->lang['pm_moved']} | +
+
|
+
| {$info['SHOW_PAGES']} | +vars['php_ext']}?s={$ibforums->session_id}&act=Post&CODE=00&f={$info['id']}'>{$ibforums->skin['A_POST']}{$info[POLL_BUTTON]} | +
+
+EOF; +} + +function start_nav() { +global $ibforums; +return << {$ibforums->skin['F_NAV']} |
+
+EOF;
+}
+
+function end_nav() {
+global $ibforums;
+return << | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
+
|
+
