files the package manager needs to modify are not writable

[societyofrobots]

Long story short, my crappy host deleted my site without warning. So I am having to do a painful reinstall of everything from backups.

Oh before I get started, I have a comment on a translation error I found during the signup process of this forum for the Thai language.
This: ฉันอายุน้อยกว่า 13 ปี.  (I am less than 13 years old)
should be this: ฉันอายุกว่า 13 ปี. (I am older than 13 years old)

Lets start with the problems now . . . the forum is mostly up and working, but there are various issues I can't seem to resolve. I tried repair_settings.php and it didnt fix it. I also chmod'ed every single darn file as 777 (unless I missed some and didn't notice). Note that the local path to SMF has changed during this porting, but I used the same MySQL database (exported then imported).

1) I am trying to install a mod package and get this error:

Some of the files the package manager needs to modify are not writable. This needs to be changed by logging into FTP and using it to chmod or create the files and folders. Your FTP information may be temporarily cached for proper operation of the package manager.
550 /vhosts/mysite.com/httpdocs/robotforum: No such file or directory

It accepts my login information (it gives me a warning if I enter in the wrong info), and it defaults my local path to SMF as /vhosts/mysite.com/httpdocs/robotforum which works for other stuff in the forum. The mod worked fine before I ported the forum, and all mods are causing me this problem.

I also tried going to Cleanup Permissions, but it also gives me that same error (without that 550 part)!

checking the error log, this is what it says:

http://www.mysite.com/robotforum/index.php?action=packages;sa=install;package=YouTube BBCode v1.7.zip 
8: Undefined index: package_readme
File: /var/www/vhosts/mysite.com/httpdocs/robotforum/Sources/Packages.php
Line: 292

2) Checking my error log, I notice that everytime someone performs a search this gets written:

http://www.mysite.com/robotforum/index.php?action=search2 
8: Undefined index: brd
File: /var/www/vhosts/mysite.com/httpdocs/robotforum/Sources/Search.php
Line: 407

The search works, but why the error?


3) When I try to do Forum Maintenance - Backup Database, it just goes to a The page cannot be displayed error. No error is recorded in the error log.


4) On the themes page I get this error:

Warning - you cannot create or install a new theme as your themes directory is not currently writable!

Not sure if this is relevent, but I am using a Linux server with Plesk.

edit: added #3 and #4

[greyknight17]

Thanks. I will find out who to contact and take a look at the translation.

For question 1, try creating a folder called temp in your Packages folder and CHMOD it to 777. Try installing a mod now.

Question 2....Open up Search.php. Look for:

Code Select Expand

if (!is_array($_REQUEST['brd']) && !empty($_REQUEST['brd']))

Replace with:

Code Select Expand

if (!empty($_REQUEST['brd']) && !is_array($_REQUEST['brd']))


What version of SMF are you using? Did you try CHMOD your files to 755 or 644 also just to be sure (some hosts don't allow 777)?

[societyofrobots]

For question 1, try creating a folder called temp in your Packages folder and CHMOD it to 777. Try installing a mod now . . . Did you try CHMOD your files to 755 or 644 also just to be sure (some hosts don't allow 777)?

Ok I have a really wierd problem, and I think my host is to blame but not sure. If I set the file to 755 or 777, the same error occurs. However, if I set the temp folder to 777 or 757, then attempt to apply the mod, the temp folder somehow gets deleted!!! wtf?! I did this like 4 times and it happened each time . . .

What version of SMF are you using?

I am using SMF 1.1.4.


Looking at Search.php, I was unable to find this line:
if (!is_array($_REQUEST['brd']) && !empty($_REQUEST['brd']))

Although I did find two lines that contain:
!empty($_REQUEST['brd'])

[greyknight17]

You can try contacting your host about the mod issue and see if they have some restriction in place that's preventing you from installing them.

For the search problem, try using this mod

[slvreagl]

Ok I have a really wierd problem, and I think my host is to blame but not sure. If I set the file to 755 or 777, the same error occurs. However, if I set the temp folder to 777 or 757, then attempt to apply the mod, the temp folder somehow gets deleted!!! wtf?! I did this like 4 times and it happened each time . . .

I am using SMF 1.1.3. and having the same problem..... any resolutions?

[greyknight17]

You tried all the same steps also? Did you try contacting your host as well?

societyofrobots: is the problem resolved?

[slvreagl]

I just got off the phone with them, there is no restrictions on my account or in that directory. My repair settings.php was correct also 

[greyknight17]

Let me take a look at this myself. Give me access (send it to me via PM) to your SMF, cPanel and FTP accounts. Create a temp account or change the password for your account. Make sure to include the web addresses for all 3 so I don't have to go guessing

[sifreynir]

another one here experiencing same problem. Have searched through the forums, it seems pretty common and I have tried a number of different solutions save doing it manually.

If I set up a Temp directory it gets deleted. Doesn't matter whether I set permissions at 777, 755 or 644.
I did get so far with one modification but it said the file was corrupted and not to go any further so I chickened out.

I get the ftp information required screen. I enter the correct information in (all checked) and my browser seems to 'time out' . It does read as 'connecting' then just stops.

I am trying to install the custom profile field mod.

Am currently waiting to to chat with hosts on their online thing to see if its their fault.
Have just edited this post to make a bit more sense. Its 2am here and this is doing my nut!

[greyknight17]

Hi sifreynir and welcome to SMF.

Let us know how it went. I find that it's usually a host issue if all the folder permissions are set properly already.

[sifreynir]

Thanks for the welcome.

Am still on 'hold'   

[societyofrobots]

Still no luck here.

I also use Drupal which also requires a tmp folder, set to 777. It doesn't get deleted, so I suspect it has something to do with SMF only.


As for the Search.php problem, you mentioned using that mod. But obviously with the other problem I am having, mods don't work.  Looking at the file, it does the same code change you just mentioned. Are you sure you are referring to the right code version?

[sifreynir]

Our host went through the package install procedure with me last night. Tried a number of different details for the ftp and still nothing.

Its been passed to their team of engineers aparently to have a look at. So am still in the dark here as to whether its a host issue. Any further information on this would be great thanks.

This is a fresh install btw. We had previous install which is being replaced and until it was upgraded to 1.1.4 there was no trouble installing mods via the packages part.

thanks

[sifreynir]

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Unfortunately, you cannot connect to FTP using any PHP scripts. This has been disabled for security reasons.

where does this leave me?

[slvreagl]

Let me take a look at this myself. Give me access (send it to me via PM) to your SMF, cPanel and FTP accounts. Create a temp account or change the password for your account. Make sure to include the web addresses for all 3 so I don't have to go guessing

HAHAHA,..... Thats a joke right? You need my bank account, social security number too?
Unless your standing in front of me, There's no way in **** I'm giving total access to my server and smf database to a complete stranger. Sorry no punt intended.

I would love to find a way to get this resolved, As it seems to be a problem for many..

[kat]

HAHAHA,..... Thats a joke right? You need my bank account, social security number too?
Unless your standing in front of me, There's no way in **** I'm giving total access to my server and smf database to a complete stranger. Sorry no punt intended.

It's done quite often. I've done it myself, a few times. I've been helped and been able to help, doing that. You get to know the people who you can trust with something like this, of course.

Grey Knight is one such member.

As

"greyknight17
Support Specialist
Simple Machines Hero"

will attest.

You can easily remove him, once he's finished.


(I can't vouch for him if you give him your BANK account details, though, which is what you put.) 

[societyofrobots]

Any luck on this anyone?

[greyknight17]

Go to Admin->Packages->Options and uncheck Create Backup versions of replaced files with a tilda (~) on the end of their names. Try installing a mod now.

[societyofrobots]

Go to Admin->Packages->Options and uncheck Create Backup versions of replaced files with a tilda (~) on the end of their names. Try installing a mod now.

Nope, still doesn't work. Same error. The other problems still have not been fixed either.

[TrueSatan]

Let me take a look at this myself. Give me access (send it to me via PM) to your SMF, cPanel and FTP accounts. Create a temp account or change the password for your account. Make sure to include the web addresses for all 3 so I don't have to go guessing

HAHAHA,..... Thats a joke right? You need my bank account, social security number too?
Unless your standing in front of me, There's no way in **** I'm giving total access to my server and smf database to a complete stranger. Sorry no punt intended.

I would love to find a way to get this resolved, As it seems to be a problem for many..

Please see the following link for details of the best way to handle such things...N.B. the advice given by Kat regarding SMF staff is quite correct:

http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=87130.0