The Horror!

[Venomous]

Well, I've been trying to install an SMF forum on my site, but have run into a spot of bother...

I manage to upload all the files to the appropriate directory, create the mysql database, create a mysql user and use them with install.php to generate my site.  Infact, I was so close to success that one can actually go to the site and see the forum and SMF welcome post.  However, when attempting to create an admin in the SMF installer, it returns:

"Cannot connect to the MySQL database server with the supplied data.

If you are not sure about what to type in, please contact your host."

WTF??????

I've tried about 50 different times with at least 20 different sets of info... yet it doesn't work!

I know I'm meant to contact my host, but I get the impression that they don't really know themselves, so I was really hoping one of you guys could help.

If you're not sure how to fix it, is there a way to manually add a user?  If so, tell me really simply, as I'm a complete newbie to web-related stuff.

Thanks SO MUCH in advance.

Venom.

[Owdy]

Posting support requests - Be bold - Be creative!

[Venomous]

Sorry Owdy, I'll keep that in mind for next time. 

[[Unknown]]

Are you sure you're using the password you supplied on installation for the database password to create the administrative account?

There's two passwords you have to enter: one is the most you entered on the last step, the other is the one you want for your account.

-[Unknown]

[rustynails]

Did you make sure you had the chmods permissions set?? You didn't include that in your list of steps followed .
Check your settings.php import it to your computer to see if the setting in your Database info matches the settings.php .. Not all mysql servers are "localhost"

Example: of database info

########## Database Info ##########
$db_server = 'localhost';//likely localhost,How to connect to mySQL Server ??
$db_name = 'board';      // name of database here
$db_user = 'myusername'; //user name setup in control
$db_passwd = 'xxxxxxxx'; // database password here
$db_prefix = 'smf_';
$db_persist = 0;
$db_error_send = 1;

[Venomous]

In answer to your question, [Unknown], I triple checked that field - even typing the password in notepad and copy/pasting it into the mysql password fields on BOTH pages, and it worked for the first page, just not the second.

And, rustynails, I manually reset all the permissions beforehand, I was just forgot to include them.  I checked the database info, and found that the password was a digit out, but I corrected it and yet still no luuck.

And, finally, an exta bit of info, my site has Cpanel and Fantastico, and I saw that Fantastico included SMF, but that failed with a similar error (failing to connect to the mysql database.  I then tried some other Fantastico scripts - and yet still no luck...

[Sheepy]

I may be able to help.

I encountered that on both Globat (a US web host) and on my local machine.  The problem is that the Settings.php is not updated after the first page and remains empty, so the installer lacks the necessary information.

I fixed that by hard-coding the variables into the installer, but I think it is possible to change Settings.php instead.  Also, although the installer failed, somehow I can set the forum name and maintainence mode from admin panel, although it always complains that it cannot backup the settings.

Globat is using FreeBSD (details) and I'm using Windows XP Pro, WAMP5 w/ PHP4 & Zend Optimiser.

A friend of mine doesn't have problem with the installer, but I forgot to ask what server he's using.

[rustynails]

Something to check in case you weren't aware of this possibility.

I looked a fantasico control panel
http://cpaneldemo.page-zone.com/xcontroller/sql.html

Some hosts have a pre_fix attached to username and password.
the above company uses page_   and this would very from one company to the next.
see example below Database info .

Check when you setup mysql database to see if there is a prefix that
is supposed to be used.

Example: of database info

########## Database Info ##########
$db_server = 'localhost';//likely localhost,How to connect to mySQL Server ??
$db_name = 'page_board';      // name of database here
$db_user = 'page_myusername'; //user name setup in control
$db_passwd = 'xxxxxxxx'; // database password here
$db_prefix = 'smf_';
$db_persist = 0;
$db_error_send = 1;

[[Dark.Shadow]]

Or You Can Easily Go To http://www.freesql.org to get a sql database for free and easy if nothing works 

[Venomous]

Well, I never did get that problem figured out, despite trying all the ideas above, but I used a different host and things worked perfectly... just one of those things, I guess.

Anyway, thankyou all SO much for you help and support - this really IS a great community!

PS
Forgive my late reply, my internet has been dead for the past few days.

[rustynails]

In your original post you wrote
" However, when attempting to" create" an admin in the SMF installer"


I think this may have been the problem??

When you run the install.php
You would want to use the existing database option in the dropdown menu.
not create a new database ..

Correct me if I'm wrong.