Internal Server Error Problem

[RoxNRoll]

I came here today to sort out upgrading one website, and another forum I go to has gone down today, and they've asked me to investigate... unfortunately I have no idea... so perhaps you chaps can help.

The problem is that when you try to get to the site, you get this error:

"Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request."

However, if I go direct to the SMF Portal, linking from the ftp, the portal comes up - but we get this error trying to log in.

No one has made any changes or upgrades (one mod said he tried to update the SMF version from 1.1.14, but when he clicked the link it came up with a 'not found' error, so it didn't update.

I've looked on the ftp server, and none of the file dates seem to have changed, and the error log doesn't show any problem.

No idea how to diagnose... any ideas would be welcome.

I haven't put the link to the forum, as I thought that bad form unless requested.

Thanks.

Paul.

[kat]

The e-mail address kinda gives the URL away...

I suspect that the upgrade actually started and you have a forum that's toast.

Get the guy who tried the upgrade to restore the backup that they took, before making the attempt.

[RoxNRoll]

He says he didn't...     of course.

However, I don't know where I'd find the last backup.  I didn't install this forum so I'm not too familiar with all the jiggery pokery of the installation. 

[Illori]

last resort you can ask the host if they have a backup they can restore.

[RoxNRoll]

Although, having said that, I'm pretty sure that the forum was working after he tried it, because I've been on the forum this afternoon... he said he tried it at lunchtime?

It is a bit of a coinkydink mind.

I've been downloading a backup for my forum this afternoon... so I am very aware of it's importance!!

[kat]

He says he didn't...     of course.

******.

Kill him.

Now.

[RoxNRoll]

******.

Kill him.

Now.

  I can't get myself that worked up... 

Looking on the FTP, there is a packages backup from February...

[LiroyvH]

Check your CHMOD settings. Make sure index.php and the forum folder is *not* chmod 777 and then try loading it again

[RoxNRoll]

Folder is 755 and index.php is 775.

[Illori]

try putting the files at 644 instead of 775

[RoxNRoll]

try putting the files at 644 instead of 775

Well, shiver me timbers... that worked!  I'm so shocked, I've gone all piratey.   

Thank you very much indeed.  What the heck would have caused that?

[Illori]

specific settings in the way the server is configured

[RoxNRoll]

Thank you so much, guys, really appreciate all your help.     

[kat]

WooHoo!