Messed up theme installation

[LaundryLady]

Maintenance Mode

Okay faithful users...we're attempting to restore an older backup of the database...news will be posted once we're back!

I've tried all the handy dandy things I could find on how to get into the forum, but nothing seems to be working for me.  I finally got it to stop tossing errors but I can't get past the maintenance message.  I understand css and html, but new to php. 

[kat]

In Settings.php, you'll see this:

Code Select Expand

$maintenance = 1; # Set to 1 to enable Maintenance Mode, 2 to make the forum untouchable. (you'll have to make it 0 again manually!)

If you change the "$maintenance = 1" bit to "$maintenance = 0", you should be OK.

[LaundryLady]

Connection Problems

Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later.

New Error msg, is this normal?

[Burke ♞ Knight]

1. What theme did you try to install, and how?
2. What version of SMF are you using?
3. What web host are you using? (The last error can happen on a lot of free hosts, when the server resources are high at the moment.)

[kat]

That error suggests that the database details are wrong, for some reason. I fail to see how a theme install, even if it was seriously botched, could cause that.

You could try this, to correct those:

http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Repair_settings.php

But, of course, your server MIGHT be busy (Unusual, though).

[LaundryLady]

was trying to install a theme called broken,  2.08,  Bravehost. 

The install didn't go well, needless to say.  I need to get everything back to the core default.  Have tried reinstalling the whole thing but that didnt help.  I will give repair a try, thanks

[LaundryLady]

Unable to load Themes/default/index.template.php!  Sorry to be a pain, and thanks for working with me.

[kat]

Seems that's as simple as the file not being there. Or, it could be read-protected, if it's there.

No backup, from before you installed the theme?

If not, maybe your host has one?

[Kindred]

How did you go about trying to install that theme?

[LaundryLady]

I was trying to follow the instructions, lol.  Little more confusing than the old smfforfree I have been using.  Right now I am removing the theme files and will re-upload a clean copy.  Luckily I decided to do this before I got too deep into setting it up for real people.  I removed all instances from the them I tried to install and also from the php so I could make the core number 1.  Keep your fingers crossed.  BTW, your captcha images are extremely difficult to read

[Kindred]

Wait.... WHAT??

You removed all instances of the theme you tried to install form WHAT php?
Themes don't change any php files. Ever. They add a subdirectory and files under the Themes directory. That is all.

[Burke ♞ Knight]

How do I install a theme?

[LaundryLady]

Well, I tell you what, as soon as I can get this back to original, I will try those instructions again.  I appreciate all the help you have been giving me.  As I said this is a little different from the smfforfree that I have been using for years. 

[LaundryLady]

I have my forum reset.  Thanks again for all your help.  Hopefully I shall only have to come by to say hello.

[kat]

Woo-Hoo!

Any time, LL. Any time.