Error messages

[A_C]

I don't even know were to begin, so I think that I will ask a question of anyone here able to help. At the change of the year I got this message when I tryed to log on to my sites forums. 

Notice: Undefined variable: sourcedir in /home/rockandm/public_html/ROCK/index.php on line 54

Warning: require_once(/QueryString.php) [function.require-once]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/rockandm/public_html/ROCK/index.php on line 54

Fatal error: require_once() [function.require]: Failed opening required '/QueryString.php' (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/rockandm/public_html/ROCK/index.php on line 54

I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, so you could not talk to simple to me. I'm only 56 and have taught myself everything I know about computers and software, so now you also know my teacher.  Please if anyone could just give me a push in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone is wondering why it  has taken so long to address this issue. I have several chronic illnesses and have been out of commission for  a good while. Oh, yeah and I have been using a back-up forum I created  a few years back for just this kind of event.
Thanks

[Illori]

please verify that your settings.php file has contents and is not wiped clear. if has nothing in it copy your settings_bak.php file to settings.php and that should fix the problem.

[A_C]

Before I try this fix I would like to thank you first for  moving this to the correct forum and secondly for the quick reply.

[MrPhil]

Yes, there is a major bug in all versions of SMF that leads to Settings.php being emptied out in certain circumstances involving database errors. My sig discusses it further (under bug fixes). The best immediate fix is to copy the backup (Settings_bak.php) over the empty Settings.php. Note that this is copy and not "rename". Don't ever let any fool tell you to rename Settings_bak.php to something else -- you'll lose your only backup and when Settings is crunched again, you'll be up the creek without a paddle. Once you have a good Settings.php again, write-protect it (make Read Only, chmod 444).

[A_C]

I guess I'm up the creek without a paddle. My file manager says that both files have zero data! Is there anything else or does your sig have cure?

[Illori]

you could ask your host if they have a backup copy of them

[MrPhil]

If you can remember all the necessary settings, you can download and use repair_settings.php to build a new Settings.php from scratch. Once you have a working copy, make it read-only (chmod 444).