500 Internal Server Error

[Umagwa]

Trying to get SMF to work. I think this is my 5th install? I like to try and figure things out until I hit my breaking point. Well, I'm at it, so I'm reaching out. I'm relatively new at this, although I installed and ran a few SMF forums in 2004?

I did a clean install (no packages installed) and a clean database. The install went like butta.I did purchase SMF Gallery Pro, but didn't want to install it until I (we) figure this out. What is happening (randomly) is that when I peruse around the site clicking links (home, support, search...and so on) I get an occasional "500 Internal Server error" and I don't know what is causing it.

Here is the website
thefishingstation.com [nofollow] and SMF is installed in a sub-directory /forum.
I have an .htaccess redirect file that looks like this

Code Select Expand

# redirect from root to subdirectory
RedirectMatch ^/$ /forum/index.php
I tried leaving out the index.php in the .htaccess file and still get the error. I think this might be the problem. It's worse in the Admin section. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

[Kindred]

500 errors are server side failures. Look in your SERVER error log and/or talk to your host.

Do you have any website at the root?  If not, why is the forum ins a subdirectory?

What is your site URL setting?
are you using the subdirectory in the site URL?
http or https?
www or not-www?
permissions on files 664 and permissions on directories 775?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

That's a server issue, 500 errors are random.  Everything works, then things don't.  Who's your host?

[Oldiesmann]

If you look at the logs in your hosting control panel, you should get more information about what's causing the error.

[Umagwa]

1) I am aware the error is server side. Looking at files now. Talking to my host would  be my last resort
2) No website in the root, but I am planning on it, so it's in a sub-directory
3) The site URL setting is set to root, hence the .htaccess redirect file. I can change that.
4) It is set for https
5) It is set at www
6) Checking permissions as I type this
7) Thank you

[Umagwa]

500 errors are server side failures. Look in your SERVER error log and/or talk to your host.

Do you have any website at the root?  If not, why is the forum ins a subdirectory?

What is your site URL setting?
are you using the subdirectory in the site URL?
http or https?
www or not-www?
permissions on files 664 and permissions on directories 775?

1) I am aware the error is server side. Looking at files now. Talking to my host would  be my last resort
2) No website in the root, but I am planning on it, so it's in a sub-directory
3) The site URL setting is set to root, hence the .htaccess redirect file. I can change that.
4a) It is set for https
b) It is set at www
*c) https://www.thefishingstation.com/ [nofollow] I don't have permission to edit my first post - I corrected URL here
*5) Checking permissions as I type this - checked and all correct
6) Thank you

[Steve]

I fixed your post so it makes more sense.

[Umagwa]

That's a server issue, 500 errors are random.  Everything works, then things don't.  Who's your host?

I contacted the host iPage who is now Bluehost. I have been with iPage since dirt. I contacted them (I didn't want to) and they are blaming it on SMF (I knew they would). I KNOW IT ISN'T SMF or the install! I am having the issue escalated to a higher dummy. That isn't an insult (yes it is) because I am the dummy (the most inexperienced) in all this.

[Doug Heffernan]

3) The site URL setting is set to root, hence the .htaccess redirect file. I can change that.

First off you should really make sure that your site is completely configured and up and running in the right directory.

I contacted them (I didn't want to) and they are blaming it on SMF (I knew they would).

Did they say how this was Smf's fault precisely?

Also did you check the server error log page as adviced above by @Oldiesmann? It might contain useful clues as to that is causing the issues. Usually the 500 type of errors are almost host related.

[Arantor]

Can your host at least point to the error log and therefore *what the error might be*? It might be an SMF error but one would hope they could give you some evidence for that claim.

[Umagwa]

Can your host at least point to the error log and therefore *what the error might be*? It might be an SMF error but one would hope they could give you some evidence for that claim.

Yes and I am getting "suEXEC configuration errors". Their tech support is horrific- it has changed since Bluehost took them over. When we got to me requesting them to redirect the root to /forum and he responded with, "you want to redirect the control panel", that conversation was over.

I have deleted the smf software and put a simple redirect file from https://www.thefishingstation.com/ [nofollow] to https://www.thefishingstation.com/ forum [nofollow] and see if that works. If it does, I'm good. I will then re-install SMF. If it doesn't work then, well, I just don't know.

[Umagwa]

The "suEXEC configuration errors" have been magically fixed on their end and the redirect is working. I am working with a few browsers to check the changes. Anyone want to double check that https://www.thefishingstation.com/ [nofollow] is redirecting to https://www.thefishingstation.com/forum [nofollow] before I install SMF to "/forum"?

[Sesquipedalian]

Anyone want to double check that https://www.thefishingstation.com/ is redirecting to https://www.thefishingstation.com/forum before I install SMF to "/forum"?

It does

[Umagwa]

SMF Experts, anything "special" I need to do or check, before I re-install SMF and a fresh database? I will hold on until I hear back.

On a side note (and I'm thinking out loud), geeze, I just wanted a simple forum site for a bunch of us local fishing jamokes to share our fish catching escapades and lies. 

[Arantor]

Nothing comes to mind; whatever error you had seems to have *mysteriously* vanished when something with suEXEC was tweaked... and that's not *usually* something you have control of (outside making sure that your PHP files aren't 777 or however it's configured to not allow... something your host *should* be able to tell you...)

[Kindred]

Please note. If smf is installed in /forum, then THAT needs to be your forum site url setting, not the root url

[Umagwa]

Please note. If smf is installed in /forum, then THAT needs to be your forum site url setting, not the root url

Sorry so long for an update. Why would I install it in the root folder if I want it in /forum directory? I wanted it in a sub-dir because eventually I want to put some "schtuff" in the root. I made that mistake before (not installed in a sub-dir) and regretted it later on.

Anyway, I have it all sorted. It was 100% issue on the Server side, they just didn't want to hear it. My uneducated guess, it had something to do with those "suEXEC configuration errors," because they had me on hold for hours after I saw those in the log file and they couldn't get it sorted.

After almost 20 years, I dumped my hosting company (who has been great) until this incident. I guess that's what happens to companies when they were bought out. I was on an old plan (I'd pay years in advance) It's been a bit of a challenge moving over to a new hosting company and they were probably trying to get rid of me anyway (although I never used server intense software). It now runs great (installed like butta) and just going to "let it settle" a while before I get to it.

I just want to thank everyone for their expertise and help!

[lord alibaski]

I always upload my SMF installs to (using Cpanel)

(/home/domain) public_HTML folder

Then just run the installation

Just try that way see how you get on

[Umagwa]

I always upload my SMF installs to (using Cpanel)

(/home/domain) public_HTML folder

Then just run the installation

Just try that way see how you get on

I tried everything, but thank you. As I stated, I'm no longer with that hosting company. Everything is working as it should with the new hosting site.