Having problems with the package manager?

[RealiX]

i installed my SMF via the installatron in cPanel and did a SMF 1.0.7 / 1.1 RC2 Update. it seems that only this can be installed via the package manager, others keep prompting me with the Sub-Package.php error.

Some people have run into problems using the package manager.  These are caused either by safe mode issues, or wrong paths.
Recently, we came upon another solution which may resolve the need for PHP suExec in safe mode environments.  While this is still something your host should/could do for you, it is also something you can do without their involvement in many cases.

PLEASE NOTE: This solution may or may not work for everyone.  We would like feedback on whether or not it works for you.

The tool attached does two things: first, it changes the permissions (if possible) on the files in your SMF installation to combat safe mode, and second it tells you what path it used, which is what you should use in the package manager as well.  Please use this tool if you are having problems installing mods, and copy down the path it gives you.  The next major release of SMF should solve these problems.

The trick this file uses is that setting your permissions a certain way will make it so that files created by PHP, for example in "attachments", are still owned by *you*, not PHP.  This is, in many cases, better anyway, because you don't want files owned by someone else in your stuff!

-[Unknown]

so i tried the tool but it doesnt seem to work for me..
if its not the php safe mode problem either, any other solutions?
my board is a fresh install so i'd like to install couple of stuff.

[Philtration]

Hi SMF dudes,

This is my situation:    SMF 1.0.7 installed from Fantastico into a customer account under my reseller one on hxxp:siterollout.com [nonactive], having difficulty with permissions, and installing packages from package manager.  Linux server with PHP v4.4.1. No idea if it has safe mode or not.

SMF directory is at 777. Themes/default and sources directory also 777.

As per this thread I just ran the fix_ownership.php thingy.

Now I can go into the themes directory and it no longer tells me the permissions are incorrect, so that's good.
On the other hand, the major error I've been having still persists.   I include an error message below from when I try to install the Skype mod.   I've installed it on another host with the same version of SMF and it works fine there.

2: copy(/home/philpsy/public_html/SMF/Themes/default/../classic/images/skype.gif): failed to open stream: Permission denied
File: /home/philpsy/public_html/SMF/Sources/Subs-Package.php
Line: 961

The path quoted by the php script was
public_html/SMF and so that was the path I used when prompted for FTP login on the second host.   Prior to that the path was identical apart from an initial slash.

(Incidentally, on an account I have with another host (diyhost.co.uk), Fantastico installs SMF fine, and everything works as you'd expect - and when installing mods it doesn't even prompt for FTP details.)

I did ask my hosts for support but they just gave the "we don't support 3rd party scripts" line.

The other consideration is this - my account is a reseller one, and if possible I'd like to know what I can do to fix it for customers of mine too.   I can chmod files and play with PHP scripts all day long, but I'd like to avoid the average customer having to do that.

Any help will be most gratefully received....

Phil

[JayBachatero]

Phil if you try to upload an avatar do you get the same error?

[Philtration]

Phil if you try to upload an avatar do you get the same error?

Hey Jay,

Thanks for replying - uploading an avatar works perfectly.

Phil

(NB - I uploaded it by changing the settings to allow uploaded avatars and did it from the profile bit.  was that what you meant?)

[JayBachatero]

Try CHMODing the images dir inside the default theme dir and CHMOD the default theme dir also.

[Philtration]

OK, will do - 777?

edit: Spoke too soon - I just checked and both directories are already set to 777.  Shall I chmod them to something else?

[JayBachatero]

Umm running out of ideas.  That error is usually given when the dir is not writeable. 

Actually I think it might be a paths issue.  As you can see in the error you provided the image is trying to go into a non existent dir.
/Themes/default/../classic/images/skype.gif
Should be /Themes/default/images/skype.gif

Use repair_settings.php and make sure that the paths are correct.
What is repair_settings.php?

[Philtration]

Right, done that.

The paths all come up in this form:   /home/philpsy/public_html/SMF
None of them have any / .. / bits in or anything like that.
The URLs look right too.

The earlier script gave the path as: public_html/SMF
so should I remove the /home/philpsy/ part and try again?

[JayBachatero]

Use repair_settings.php and click on the recomended paths and then save the changes.  Even if they look ok it's good to double check and click on recommended.

[Philtration]

Grrr, no joy I'm afraid.   Same error, and the path still shows up for that failed file with a /../ in the middle.
I've tried a couple of permutations of the path, but each time it failed.

Do you think it might be a problem with my host?

Many thanks for your helpfulness btw!

[JayBachatero]

My suggestion is that you try a different mod and see if it's a mod issue.

[Philtration]

OK - well, I'm going out now, but I shall give another mod a try when I get back.

[djpaddystudio7]

i installed my SMF via the installatron in cPanel and did a SMF 1.0.7 / 1.1 RC2 Update. it seems that only this can be installed via the package manager, others keep prompting me with the Sub-Package.php error.

Some people have run into problems using the package manager.  These are caused either by safe mode issues, or wrong paths.
Recently, we came upon another solution which may resolve the need for PHP suExec in safe mode environments.  While this is still something your host should/could do for you, it is also something you can do without their involvement in many cases.

PLEASE NOTE: This solution may or may not work for everyone.  We would like feedback on whether or not it works for you.

The tool attached does two things: first, it changes the permissions (if possible) on the files in your SMF installation to combat safe mode, and second it tells you what path it used, which is what you should use in the package manager as well.  Please use this tool if you are having problems installing mods, and copy down the path it gives you.  The next major release of SMF should solve these problems.

The trick this file uses is that setting your permissions a certain way will make it so that files created by PHP, for example in "attachments", are still owned by *you*, not PHP.  This is, in many cases, better anyway, because you don't want files owned by someone else in your stuff!

-[Unknown]

so i tried the tool but it doesnt seem to work for me..
if its not the php safe mode problem either, any other solutions?
my board is a fresh install so i'd like to install couple of stuff.

i am having the exactly same problem  plzz help!!!!!

[JayBachatero]

What is the error you are getting?

[Anti-Tedd]

Hello,

I'm using the package manager with version 1.1RC2, and when I try to click "apply" for the package it asks for my FTP username and password. I give it and it gives me the 550 failed to change directory errors.

[JayBachatero]

If oyu try to CHMOD all the files manually do you get the same error with your FTP client?

[Anti-Tedd]

All the correct files are CHModded, and sometimes the errors change. I'm perfectly aware of how crazy that sounds, but trying to install the Quick Upload or Integrated Chat mod I get the 550 Failed to Change directory error, and if I try to install the Karma on Memberlist, it tells meabout a modification parse error. I install anyways, and it appears to install correctly, but the functionality is not added.

[JayBachatero]

Ummm weird.  If oyu are on RC2 go to Admin > Packages > Options and make all files writeable.

[Oncegone]

this is the error i get.

2: copy(/home/telekin/public_html/forum/index.php~): failed to open stream: Permission denied
File: /home/telekin/public_html/forum/Sources/Subs-Package.php
Line: 1307

[JayBachatero]

That mean that there is another file named index.php~ in the forum root folder.  Delete that and it should install.