Couple of rather annoying bugs

[Beowulf1976]

I am no longer able to use the core features within my forum?



when I click on them, it just sends me back to the main admin page without selecting them.


Also, I can't do ANYTHING twice? So if I click on Modify on the post I am working on, do my mod then click save, if I think of something else and immediately click Modify again, it does nothing, I have to go out of that screen, into another, then I can go back and Modify.

This is not just modify though, that was an example, I am not able to click on ANYTHING twice, the second time, nothing happens. So if I modify a member group, and click save, then click on that member group again (because -yes, I forgot something, notice a theme here?) it does nothing, I have to go into another one, then I can go back in to the one before.

It's so flippin' annoying, but I have been tolerating it because I didn't think you'd believe me if I said it was even a problem.

I look forward to hearing from you guys

Running 2.0.14
Mods:



NB: These problems were happening prior to installing the 2.1 style admin area, so that didn't break it.

[Illori]

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Mod_security_-_Having_problems_with_mod_security

[Beowulf1976]

That didn't fix it, sorry.

[Illori]

did you ask your host to disable it? often hosts dont let the account owner disable it completely.

[Beowulf1976]

Just to update, I am waiting for a server admin to state whether or  not they can disable it, the first line support thought that it was not possible on shared servers, but escalated it to their senior admins

[Illori]

if they cannot disable it, then time to find a new host that does not use mod_security. it is not required for SMF and as you can see causes more issues then it fixes.

[Beowulf1976]

They have finally disabled it on my domain, but I'm still having issues.

[Illori]

then i doubt they actually did what they said they did.

[Colin]

Can you check the server logs and see what error you are getting. It still does sound as if the likely culprit is mod_security.

[Dzonny]

You may also try to see if mod_security is really loaded or not via phpinfo file that you can create.

[Beowulf1976]

You may also try to see if mod_security is really loaded or not via phpinfo file that you can create.

could you please explain to a noob how to do that?

[Colin]

What is a phpinfo() file?

[Beowulf1976]

I don't know how to decipher it lol

[Dzonny]

Looks like mod_security is turned off now really.

Do you have anything in your error log maybe?

[Beowulf1976]

I shall have a look

[Beowulf1976]

there was nothing on the server error logs. I don't know about the forum as I'm currently restoring a back up after a mod broke it hehe

[Beowulf1976]

OK, same issues with completely new hosting. There's no error logs listed. I contacted this host and asked them about mod-sec they said thy are not able to disable it BUT when they looked into it thoroughly the Mod_sec rule is not being triggered AT ALL.

So - I'm now at a loss.

The hosting company say that it's an issue with the forum software, nothing their end. IF anyone wants to borrow my spare testing admin account to come and see what they think, they are welcome.

[Kindred]

Except that evidence would suggest the opposite, since the smf script works perfectly well, without this issue on literally hundreds of other hosts....   which means that the issue is something specific to your host's configuration

[Arantor]

Try uninstalling the 2.1 Style Admin Area mod and see if that fixes it.

[Beowulf1976]

Try uninstalling the 2.1 Style Admin Area mod and see if that fixes it.

Thank you for your input. I already did that, assuming it was that, nopes, still no good.

[Beowulf1976]

I allowed one of the techy people at the new server to log in to replicate the issue, they THOUGHT they had found the issue as one of their Mod_Sec rules was being triggered... but they whitelisted it and it had no effect:


11:21:34 PM Jessica R This appears to be an error with the program itself. Generally, with mod security rules, you would run into a 403 or a 404 error. This is the exact mod security rule that came up for
friendsofinigo.com/forum:

• Rule ID: 900408
  
• Times Hit: 11
  
• URLS Affected: /forum/index.php
  
• Description: register POST logging
  
  11:21:54 PM Jessica R I white listed that here: eigsh@wizard2 > whitelist friendsofinigo.com add gator4033 900408
  
• Whitelisting rule 900408 for friendsofinigo.com
  
• Testing apache configuration...
  
• Configuration good! Restarting Apache...DONE!
  
  The issue is still not resolved. The CORE FEATURES cannot be applied, they just close when you click on the "ON" button, and the duplication error still exists.

[Illori]

are you clicking on the power button or the heading of the feature?

[Beowulf1976]

The power button, trying to "switch it on"? Am I being dumb?

[Beowulf1976]

The headings of the features are actually greyed out, not actionable

[Illori]

The power button, trying to "switch it on"? Am I being dumb?

so you click the power button one time and it sends you back to the admin page? i think you have something that has done a bad edit or similar to cause this issue. might help to start over with fresh files.

[Arantor]

Especially as clicking the button should do nothing beyond changing the image if you have JavaScript enabled, it doesn't do anything like reload the page.

[Beowulf1976]

so you click the power button one time and it sends you back to the admin page? i think you have something that has done a bad edit or similar to cause this issue. might help to start over with fresh files.

Can you please remind me what starting with fresh files will do to my forum? Does it reset everything except for members and topics etc? So I'd have to reinstall my mods and my theme and images that I have installed ie.. post icons, anything graphic that I have implemented?

[Illori]

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/How_to_upload_a_fresh_set_of_files

[Beowulf1976]

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/How_to_upload_a_fresh_set_of_files

Thank you for your assistance AND patience. Once all the files have uploaded I shall update whether my issue is fixed or not. Thanks again

[Beowulf1976]

Installed fresh set of files and still I'm having the issue

[Illori]

have you tried in more then 1 browser?
can you try doing a clean install a different folder and see if you can duplicate the issue there?

[Beowulf1976]

I recorded a video so you can see it happening:

https://youtu.be/Vv5PqbAIVs0

[Beowulf1976]

have you tried in more then 1 browser?
can you try doing a clean install a different folder and see if you can duplicate the issue there?

Multiple browsers and multiple devices (PC, Chromebook, Android Phone, Another PC) all produce the same error

I just did the fresh files install, what do you mean? Do you mean install a new "dummy" forum? Not sure my host will allow two separate SMF installations but I can try if that's what you mean?


PS. Also tried in incognito mode on chrome in case it was caused by an extension/addon etc

[Dzonny]

Your host should allow you to have multiple CMS systems, just create separated database. I would try with clean SMF install in test directory to see how it'll behave.

I'm guessing that some of the mods installed is causing this error, or badly uninstalled mod from earlier maybe.

[Beowulf1976]

Your host should allow you to have multiple CMS systems, just create separated database. I would try with clean SMF install in test directory to see how it'll behave.

I'm guessing that some of the mods installed is causing this error, or badly uninstalled mod from earlier maybe.

Nope, it was still doing it on the fresh files where NO mods were installed at all.

[Dzonny]

Can you switch theme back to default and see if that happens again?

[Beowulf1976]

Can you switch theme back to default and see if that happens again?

also does it on the default or the core themes

[Arantor]

If it was doing it on fresh files, that implies it's something elsewhere on the server, e.g. security software in a higher up folder, or your hosts security settings like mod_security.

[Beowulf1976]

If it was doing it on fresh files, that implies it's something elsewhere on the server, e.g. security software in a higher up folder, or your hosts security settings like mod_security.

My Host said that mod_security is NOT being triggered. If it's not being triggered then it's not being triggered.


This is like any problem one place blames the other constantly and one never gets to the solution.

[Steve]

I feel your frustration ... maybe you could ask if one of the coders (of which I'm not one) could take a look?

[Arantor]

Well, it's definitely *something* weird because it's failing before it even gets to SMF.

[Dzonny]

Yeah, if this is happening on clean SMF install, this is most definitely the problem with host configuration or something not related to software itself.

[Beowulf1976]

I am confused as to why it has happened on two totally separate hosting companies AND you guys are adamant it's not SMF

Does anyone have spare time to come and look at my set up and hit me with a wall if it's something super obvious? I am willing to give all access IF it's someone official with SMF.

[Dzonny]

Yes, if you're willing, you can send me the details and I'll take a look at it within two or three hours.

We're sure that it's not SMF related because there's hundreds of other forums running without any problems.

[Beowulf1976]

Permission to pm you then Dzonny

[Dzonny]

I just installed quick clean SMF in /test/ directory on your server, and it all works fine. Therefore, it's a problem with customizations/mods on your current setup, and as you have quite few of those I can't really tell much by the look. I see a lot of errors in error log, including some related to mods (for example BBC related mods, most likely spoiler etc), but you'd have to go through those mods and see where the problem is.

Overall, your host is not a problem here, and SMF itself is not a problem, you just need to make sure that all mods are installed and working without problems.

[Beowulf1976]

OK, I get where you're coming from the bbc errors were when I TRIED to install BB Code Manager and it completely broke it all. Spoiler mod is working perfectly.


However, when the error started to happen, there were no mods installed? AT ALL

[Dzonny]

I just sent you a pm with a login info for test forum on your server. Please take a look at admin page there, and you'll notice that core features is working perfectly and that the same error is not appearing there.

So, this is mod problem, or at least theme related problem. I asked before if you tried to change theme to default, and if error still exist. You said that you did, although when I try to change default theme in admin panel - I got error that theme is not selectable (not sure if you had the same result).
Apart from all of that, by the quick look at your forum I also noticed that you have "session ended" kind of errors when logging and similar stuff, which all gives me impression that large upgrade would be a way to go, and start with a clean installation. Then install mods you need one by one, and you'll notice if same problem will happen after installing a specific mod.

[Beowulf1976]

Will a large install remove members and posts? If it will then I don't know what to do because I've put hours and hours of work into the posts and stuff so far, I would be severely gutted to have to start again.


I can cope with having to set it all up how I want it again if I HAVE to, but the posts and members are important to me, I can't risk losing all that.

[Dzonny]

Nope, members and posts will stay for sure. Please take a look at our documentation regards this:
Upgrading SMF

Do note that we highly suggest to firstly make backup of all files and database as well, just to be safe.
How do I backup my SMF forum?
How do I backup my database?

[Illori]

Nope, members and posts will stay for sure. Please take a look at our documentation regards this:
Upgrading SMF

actually you mean https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/How_to_upload_a_fresh_set_of_files

[Dzonny]

Nope, members and posts will stay for sure. Please take a look at our documentation regards this:
Upgrading SMF

actually you mean https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/How_to_upload_a_fresh_set_of_files

Exactly, thanks Illori!

[Beowulf1976]

Dzonny, can you please log in again and see that I have upgraded, no mods are installed, I have reset the theme to default, and it STILL does not work. *sigh*

[Beowulf1976]

hmmm I am wondering whether there is something in the /Sources or /Themes folders that are causing the issue. I have noticed the very fast flash of a white page between navigating the forum, surely this should not be there?

[Beowulf1976]

I tested my theory about sources and/or themes being the issue, and did a fresh file install without keeping those folders this time. The bugs are no longer insitu, so it was either a dodgy mod install/uninstall and/or a theme issue.

All running as it should now.

[Beowulf1976]

FOUND it!

I reinstalled my mods one by one....

It's this mod that breaks it: https://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=4132

[Dzonny]

Whoa, everything works fine now?
Glad that the problem is solved at the end.

[Steve]

Please, please post this, or a link to this thread, in that mod's support thread. Dougie is absolutely diligent about fixing any problems his mods cause.

https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=551235.0

[Beowulf1976]

Please, please post this, or a link to this thread, in that mod's support thread. Dougie is absolutely diligent about fixing any problems his mods cause.

https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=551235.0

already did thank you though