Newly installed forum v2.0.6 getting 406 not acceptable creating new category

[Dbocooksr]

I recently just installed SMF with my new hosting and i have used smf for quite a while and have never had this issue and im stumped. When i try to modify or create a new category i get a 406 not acceptable page saying: An appropriate representation of the requested resource /forum/index.php could not be found on this server.Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. But i am able to do everything else in the forum. Can some one help please

[Kindred]

the 404 is a bogus error. don't worry about that.

The 406, 403 or other errors is due to one of two things...
1- you have installed the forum in a subdirectory and have wordpress installed in your root, along with some of the crappier "security" add-ons.
2- your host has misconfigured mod_security.  Ask them to turn it off.

[Dbocooksr]

Well i did install it in a /forums sub directory and i did have wordpress installed in the root but i uninstalled that, so i guess i just need to clean out my root directory of the garbage it left behind?

[Kindred]

probably...

[Dbocooksr]

I wiped out all folders all databases and users and started from scratch, tried using the godaddy application installer and i also did it manually by downloading and installing from the version supplied by this site and i still get the same deal and godaddy is telling me its not on their end because they arent showing anything in theyre logs. I am about to pull my hair out it has to be with godaddy because i have the same version same theme same content same everything installed with another web hosting service and i have never had any problem like this and the other server that has the functional SMF they have to much down time on theyre servers so i cant just keep that one....

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Try installing it from scratch from the 2.0.6 install package, not using the GoDaddy installer.

[Dbocooksr]

I did, I installed it from the tar.gz download on smf and used the install.php to set it up and i still got the same result. Thats what makes me think it is something on godaddy.com [nofollow] side of things because i have gone through everything i can to look for errors and it's installed properly. I even deleted the sub directory/sub domain and installed it on the main public folder and instead of it saying:  406 not acceptable page saying: An appropriate representation of the requested resource /forum/index.php could not be found on this server.Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.  It is the same error just not /forum/index.php Now its just /index.php

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Is anything else installed in the root?

[Dbocooksr]

no its clean and i just got off the phone with godaddy again and there is nothing in the error logs and they said its not the Mod_security because it would be in the error logs and they said they cant "turn off"  mod_security on theyre end and they are trying to tell me its my browser but i guess firefox,chrome,and IE all have the same problem if they think thats it because i have tried this thing 18 different ways and same error no matter what

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Should install and run fine out-of-box on GD.  What's the link?

[Dbocooksr]

The web addy is majormudcommunity.com [nofollow] but i can log on and use any feature on the site accept creating a new category or modifying the exsisting general category but everything else can be done i can create boards i can change themes add packages change the logo and post pretty much everything is fine until i try to modify or create a category

[Kindred]

right.... you need to talk to someone higher on the food chain in tech support.

We've been through this before with the first level folks.
They claim that mod_security is not the issue...   but on further investigation by someone who actually KNOWS what they are talking about (and is not just working from a script) it turns out that it *IS* the problem with mod_security and their first level folks are just plain idiots.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Everything looks/works normally.  Can you pm admin creds so I can have a go?

[Dbocooksr]

Well I guess I will have to call back tomorrow and try to get someone worth a damn because the first guy I talked to wrote down everything I told him verbatim and said he would take it to the "advanced support" guys and when he came back on the line he said they had said it might be something with the security and placed me on hold but then when he came back on he said oh no they said it isn't that they checked in and aren't seeing anything, so obviously the night shift guys are to busy sleeping or something

[Dbocooksr]

pm sent

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Everything seems to work except create and modify category, both throw 406 errors.  Something may be wrong with /Sources/ManageBoards.php.  Delete the file, make sure it's gone, upload a clean one from the install package.

[Dbocooksr]

Nope, Still same error

[Dbocooksr]

Kinda funny I have used smf for years as you can see it still says im a semi-newbie well thats cuz i have never had a problem so i have never really had to use the forums but godaddy wants to swear its a problem with SMF's files and i have been using smf long enough to know it's not smf's stuff....sorry just venting im bout to just get a refund from godaddy and run with someone else

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Try these.  They're from a working 2.0.6 install.

[Dbocooksr]

nada

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Makes no sense, and doesn't look like a host problem.  How was the database created?

[Dbocooksr]

Ive created it manually and ive used the applications manager to create it with the installation

[Kindred]

Krash....   How can this NOT look like a host problem?

This has nothing to do with the database or with any SMF file(s).

Another user had almost the same problem and - as it turns out - it was exactly as I described - a problem with mod_security (but it was not solved until he got higher than first level support at GoDaddy)

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I've worked with several GoDaddy accounts, and never seen anything like this.  Their standard server config has always been compatible with SMF, and the errors seem to be limited to only those two category functions.  If there's a problem with mod_security, why doesn't it show up elsewhere?

[Dbocooksr]

Well go daddy's stance on this is now that i have spoken with advance tech support is it is tripping something with Mod_Sec on the parent server but they are saying it's not just go daddy's problem they are trying to say that it is the coding in smf that is tripping it or some bullcrap excuse like this and they said they had a similar problem with Wordpress a while back and they had to get together with Wordpress and work out coding on both ends to correct the problem. So with that said they asked me to try to get someone from smf to reach out to them and i told them a i would highly doubt a company is gonna reach out on just the account of me and thought it was crazy they wanted me to be like the mediator to get smf to reach out to them but the tech asked me to clean out all my folders and databases and tomorrow when his direct supervisor is there and some other higher ups are there he is going to install the forum using they're "Installatron" on they're new Cpanel and see if it recreates the problem so he can basically show his supervisor it rules error on my part out of the equation which i know there is no error on my part but he wants to rule it out because like i said and he agrees if i use they're Cpanel application "installatron" to install a forum they provide and promote on they're hosting server then how is it not they're problem? because as of today they are basically telling me they're aren't budging and aren't doing anything to reconfig mod_sec or anything so basically i have a hosting service that cant host what i want/need which is SMF i refuse to use myphbb and vannilla i just don't like they're setup. What is a good hosting company that backs they're stuff and is reasonable with little downtime? Is A2 any good? If they can't provide me a resolution by tomorrow I'm requesting a refund. I would like to thank everyone for all the help and i will keep you posted to what they say tomorrow.

[Kindred]

Actually, one of our main developers, Arantor has said, several times ---   if Someone from GoDaddy will come over here and discuss WHAT they think SMF is doing wrong to trip mod_security, he is willing to look at our code.

(point them here to this thread)

My (personal) favorite host is ICDsoft. I have 5 sites hosted with them and have never had any issue with WordPress, SMF or Joomla.

[Dbocooksr]

Hey Kindred,
                    The admins over there asked me to reach out to you and forward an email to you regarding this because they have other customers with the same problem but they have politely asked me to please keep the rest of the convo regarding this matter out of public channels. I know you don't like pm's or emails regarding support but they want you to have this info. Can you pm me with a email address i can forward this email to. It explains what inside smf is tripping they're mod_sec.

[Kindred]

Actually, if they send it to security at simplemachines.org it will get to the developer group who are the ones who need to take a look at things....

[Dbocooksr]

Well now this morning GoDaddy sent me an email saying they removed the mod_sec rules for my acct while the correct the problem. Why they couldn't do this before is beyond me but I would like to thank everyone for all the help as usual using SMF has been a great experience!

[oaqm]

I have a user (global moderator) who is now receiving this error whenever he tries to post or reply to a thread. Attempting to post/reply from any device via his ISP is generating the NOT ACCEPTABLE/Mod_Security error; when he went to his smart phone and shut down his wireless connection (in other words, he cut his ISP out of the picture) he was able to post. I was also able to log in using his ID/password and had no trouble posting or replying from my location.

I have linked him up to this thread and advised him he is going to have to do some serious escalating with his ISP tech support, but there is nothing I can do from my end to fix this and there is nothing he can do with his PC or tablet to correct this; it's going to have to be the ISP that does the fix.

In any event, I just wanted to say THANKS to Kindred for his input and clarification. This thread has been and hopefully will be a great help to my friend.

[bitcoinuk]

Hi,
I am also with godaddy and i am having the same problem when ever i try to modify or create a category. i have just had a hour long phone call that did not resolve the issue they said they turned off the Mod_sec and the fault was still there. I'm really stumped any help would greatly be appreciated

[Deprecated]

It doesn't look like this problem is solved yet but let me give you a little bit of advice. Don't EVER use any shared hosting service supplied installation tools. Probably not a good idea to call tech support either, particularly the script readers at the bottom level. It's always been my experience that I can fix my problems myself quicker than spending hours talking to some script reader.

If f you don't have any major effort involved in configuring your forum, no members, no posts, my advice is to just clean out your files, discard the database server, create a new folder and get a new MySQL database and just start over.

Additionally since 2.0.7 was just released you'll be ahead if you just scrap the 2.0.6 installation and no need to upgrade.

I'm going to have to watch this topic because I just took over tech admin at a SMF 2.0.6 forum hosted on GoDaddy. I'd rather know what they are before I start tinkering with the forum. I wouldn't want to crash a rather active forum in my first week on the job.

[bitcoinuk]

i have been clearing my database and and starting over all day today trying to fix it myself it. still no joy i will keep you updated i'm going to work on it through the night i might find a fix fingers crossed

[Arantor]

If you're still getting the same problem, mod_security hasn't been turned off.

[bitcoinuk]

just got off the phone after another 1hr and half. they said have turned off my Mod_Sec and i still have the problem. they also tried installing it on various other systems and servers and they all resulted in the same error. The guy i was speaking to also said that smf sent them a patch a while back but that hasnt helped fix anything. Godaddy saying the fault lies with smf somewhere lol cant believe i'm paying for not having a service with them 

[Arantor]

SMF has not sent them any patch that I am aware of, nor have they ever got in touch with us (despite asking on multiple occasions) to help us work with them to fix this problem.

[Deprecated]

You should just fire GoDaddy. Ask them for a refund and go to 1and1 where I host my sites. No problem there.

[bitcoinuk]

any idea what i can say to them in the morning when i call? other than stick your hosting lol
because i bet they are going to say my Mod_Sec is off and they cant trace the fault

any advice greatly appreciated

[Deprecated]

It depends on how long you've been with them. I've been with 1and1 for maybe 10 years so I can't just fire them until the end of my contract but if you've been with GoDaddy for a few weeks or months I think it's entirely reasonable to ask them to terminate your contract and give you a refund. Or at least terminate your contract except the domain registration, and then go to another hosting service and host your account from there, then when your domain registry is about to expire transfer it to your new hosting service.

There is a section here at the SMF forum where various shared hosting services are discussed and cussed and recommended. Read up there and pick one.

You're making me dread interfacing with GoDaddy at my new tech admin assignment. Fortunately we are running 2.0.6 with no problems at present.

There's a bit of information for you. My site at GoDaddy is working fine with SMF 2.0.6 and your site isn't. What is different?

[bitcoinuk]

The fault only happend's on the modify category and on add a category. i have been installing by uploading and then visiting the hxxp:address.com/install.php [nonactive]

Once installed then go to add a category - error

[Deprecated]

Well I'll check it out and see if I can add a category when I have full access to my new admin spot. Currently the site owner is having problems dealing with GoDaddy's Cpanel and adding my access.

[Kindred]

the category problem *IS* the mod_security issue with GoDaddy.

We did not send them any patch because they have never contacted us to tell us what the actual problem is.

Whoever you are talking to at GoDaddy is full of ........

[bitcoinuk]

Just got a email from them saying eveything should work now they have turned it off

[Deprecated]

Whoever you are talking to at GoDaddy is full of ........

GoDaddy has a long reputation of being full of ........

[ramdy]

Hello, I am having same problem with Godaddy. I can't create forum categories.
So I am wondering if it would be a way to create few categories "manually"?

Thanks in advance.

[Kindred]

no, there is not.

You need to get GoDaddy to turn OFF mod_security.

[ramdy]

Thank you for the info Kindred.

Just to update status, I got answer from godaddy:

You were absolutely correct - brand new installations of Simple Machines Forums using the cPanel/Installatron system were triggering mod_security after attempting to create new categories on the page. We escalated this immediately to our development team, who has corrected the issue. You are now able to get to the Create Category page. We appreciate your understanding in this matter, and are glad we could work together with you to reach a resolution. Please contact us if you have any further issues or questions. Regards

[truspec2012]

*** MOD_SEC*** has a small portion dealing with this but is an easy fix

Okay so I may be late on doing this, but currently the problem still exists on GoDaddy Shared hosting servers on SMF 2.0.7. I have been fighting this problem for several hours. Currently I have found a fix for the problem.

Fix method 1, look at your url and modify it by removing everything after newcat   (;randomstring)   This will allow you to create new categories each time, but is annoying because you have to do this each time you want to create one.

Now This has only been tested for an hour on a non live server. In the process of still creating it in order to launch. But so far I have found this to work.

Go here and download this file http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/?mod=636   (PrettyURL's) and follow each step I am about to explain.

You will run into 1 error unless your site is completely trashed "Which in this case, leave it to coders to fix it"

>>> The error you will run into is simple to fix, it should list as modifying a function in the News.php file located in the source folder.
Edit function fix_possible_url @ line 368.  If it is left untouched before you do this, comment out lines 377-380 "Editing in NetBeans"

If I can add it next, Your code should look something like this.

Code Select Expand


function fix_possible_url($val)
{
global $modSettings, $context, $scripturl;

if (substr($val, 0, strlen($scripturl)) != $scripturl)
return $val;

call_integration_hook('integrate_fix_url', array(&$val));

/***if (empty($modSettings['queryless_urls']) || ($context['server']['is_cgi'] && @ini_get('cgi.fix_pathinfo') == 0 && @get_cfg_var('cgi.fix_pathinfo') == 0) || (!$context['server']['is_apache'] && !$context['server']['is_lighttpd']))
return $val;

$val = preg_replace_callback('~^' . preg_quote($scripturl, '/') . '\?((?:board|topic)=[^#"]+)(#[^"]*)?$~', create_function('$m', 'global $scripturl; return $scripturl . \'/\' . strtr("$m[1]", \'&;=\', \'//,\') . \'.html\' . (isset($m[2]) ? $m[2] : "");'), $val);***/
return $val;
}


[truspec2012]

Okay, one other thing that needs to be added to my other post. Make sure you have activated ReWrite URL's inside of the Pretty mods settings. This is the only way it will work.

FYI, if you do not modify the news.php file. The functions will not work and you will still end up with the same problem.

[Kindred]

unless, of course, you don't use the silly pretty urls mod -- which can have issues with some other mods.

it would be **MUCH** better if GoDaddy would just TALK to us so we can figure out what "rules" is being triggered and we can work with them to update it for real

[Deprecated]

Just FYI, I'm running a forum on Go Daddy just recently updated 2.0.6 -> 2.0.7 and not experiencing this problem.

So whatever the problem is, it is NOT affecting all 2.0.7 forums running on Go Daddy.

[calleyc]

Installed 2.0.7 using godaddy c-panel web app install. I got the same 406 error... this was only when trying to create categories.  Godaddy working now to disable those mod_sec rules for me. 

FYI- Temp work around listed in previous post works for me in the meantime... (when you get 406 error, remove everything in the URL after newcat) - it takes me to the page where I can create my categories.

[Deprecated]

Why would you want to use your host's c-panel web app install? That just adds one more obfuscating chance to smuck things up.

IMO the best way to install SMF is to clear an entirely empty directory and then upload all the SMF files. Access it and it should take you to the configuration utility.

I hate anything provided by shared hosting services. I install my own apps, I install my own phpMyAdmin. When I get into trouble I call the guy I see in the mirror when I shave each morning.

Host support sucks. You are better off working around them.

[bitcoinuk]

Any new news on this problem ? last time having Godaddy turn off Mod_secruity worked and my forum was fully functional.

I've built a new forum on same server and suffering this issue again, After numerous call to Godaddy they now say my mod_security is turned off for this site and there is no logs of anything showing why there is a error.

The problem is that i can not open or view boards to make a post, everything else seems to work like i can create categories which i could not last time. But if i click a category there it fails too.

[RickM]

Installed 2.0.7 using godaddy c-panel web app install. I got the same 406 error... this was only when trying to create categories.  Godaddy working now to disable those mod_sec rules for me. 

FYI- Temp work around listed in previous post works for me in the meantime... (when you get 406 error, remove everything in the URL after newcat) - it takes me to the page where I can create my categories.

Thank YOU!!

The 406 error was driving me crazy in a new install. Your workaround worked for me.

[72 454]

Add this to your .htaccess file (in the root of your forum directory):

<IfModule mod_security.c>
SecRuleEngine Off
SecFilterInheritance Off
SecFilterEngine Off
SecFilterScanPOST Off
SecRuleRemoveById 300015 3000016 3000017
</IfModule>

[Kindred]

probably won't work on a shared server

[72 454]

Works on my shared hosting service. Worth a try.