How do I update PHP once locked out?

[matritte]

Hey guys.

I updated to the 2.18 version today, and now I am locked out of my site. From what I can figure (after talking with my host), I was on an old php 5.6, and now nothing will load. What are my options? I can't get into the site at all. It's just a blank, white page.

What is the best way to upgrade php 5.6 to the latest working version?

Thank you.

[Antechinus]

You need access to your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc). Do you have that access?

[matritte]

You need access to your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc). Do you have that access?

I do. It's CPanel. I am in there trying to figure out what to do.

Thanks.

[Antechinus]

Ok. Near the bottom of the main cPanel page there is a section labelled "Software". In there is "MultiPHP Manager". That's what you're after.

[matritte]

Ok. Near the bottom of the main cPanel page there is a section labelled "Software". In there is "MultiPHP Manager". That's what you're after.

Thanks. I see it. What version should I use if I upgraded to 2.18?

Also, in the "MyPHP" Database it says I am using version 5.6, yet under MultiPHP it says 7.3.

[Antechinus]

If by "MyPHP" Database you mean phpMyAdmin, yes that can run on a different version. For example, my site is running 7.4 for the site itself, but 7.3 for phpMyAdmin (the host set it like that, and it's fine).

Although 5.6 is pretty old. Using 7.3 for the forum is fine, but I'd expect 7.something for phpMyAdmin as well. The important question is: does everything work without errors?

[matritte]

If by "MyPHP" Database you mean phpMyAdmin, yes that can run on a different version. For example, my site is running 7.4 for the site itself, but 7.3 for phpMyAdmin (the host set it like that, and it's fine).

Although 5.6 is pretty old. Using 7.3 for the forum is fine, but I'd expect 7.something for phpMyAdmin as well. The important question is: does everything work without errors?

No, nothing works. I have the white screen of death. The host's tech support told me this is because my website files are old and version 5.6. They claim I need to update those website files, and then everything will work properly. I don't know how to do that without having access to the site (i.e. I have white screen of death).

Ps. Yes "phpMyAdmin" is what I meant. It shows 5.6 there and 7.3 under MultiPHP. Attached here is an image: https://i.imgur.com/ueVc3ad.jpg

Thank you.

[Antechinus]

Sounds entertaining. My instincts are to call BS on that, since if the site was working before, and if all that was done was installing the 2.0.18 patch, then the files should be fine.

However, as long as you can upload files to your server (via FTP, or cPanel file manager) then you can put a fresh set of files in place. That's not hard to do, but would clear any file edits made by mods, so mods may have to be reinstalled (not difficult, if everything is working).

To install fresh files you need the contents of this zip: https://download.simplemachines.org/index.php?thanks;filename=smf_2-0-18_upgrade.zip

Out of curiosity: which host are you using?

[matritte]

Out of curiosity: which host are you using?

It's JustHost.

Thanks, I will go install those now. I'd use Cpanel over FTP. Is it just a matter of copy and pasting them into the directory?

[Antechinus]

Yep. Do the whole lot. Overwrite the old files.

[Antechinus]

Oh hang on. Wait a second.

Do not overwrite Settings.php or Settings_bak.php. Just do all the other files.

[matritte]

Yep. Do the whole lot. Overwrite the old files.

Okay, cool. I will try this now.

It looks like in the directory there are folders and files that are not included in the set you gave me. i.e. more folders and files in the old set. Should I delete those entirely?

[matritte]

Oh hang on. Wait a second.

Do not overwrite Settings.php or Settings_bak.php. Just do all the other files.

Ok.

[Antechinus]

Yep. Do the whole lot. Overwrite the old files.

Okay, cool. I will try this now.

It looks like in the directory there are folders and files that are not included in the set you gave me. i.e. more folders and files in the old set. Should I delete those entirely?

Nope. They are probably from mods. Just leave them for now.

[matritte]

Hm. So that did nothing, and it still shows as "Database client version: libmysql - 5.6.43"

So the files didn't appear to update. It is still the white screen of death.

[matritte]

Scratch that. It does work now!

I had to run the repair.settings.php script (any idea why it needed this run?).

Also, it still does show the myphpadmin files as version 5.6 even after all this.

[Antechinus]

It shouldn't have needed repair_settings unless someone changed a setting somewhere. I can't tell which one would have been changed, or by who.

Ok, working is good. What about mods? Do you have any?

Also, it still does show the myphpadmin files as version 5.6 even after all this.

You don't have any control over that. That's entirely down to the host, unless you're managing the actual server by yourself (ie: unmanaged hosting, with dedicated box or VPS).

ETA: And 5.6 is perfectly fine for libmysql. The PHP version it's running is 7.3, which is pretty normal.

[matritte]

It shouldn't have needed repair_settings unless someone changed a setting somewhere. I can't tell which one would have been changed, or by who.

Ok, working is good. What about mods? Do you have any?

I haven't checked that yet, but so far everything looks good. Thanks for your help.

The only issue I see so far is it says "! There are 2 topics and 0 posts awaiting approval in this board. Click here to view them all." under every topic on my forum, and there is a large red exclamation point next to each topic. I've never had this in the past. I assume this is a setting in the software itself? I will have to dig around. Also, under the maintenance tab it's not fixing the errors it finds.

Edit: it looks like all my mods are gone, but not a huge deal I didn't use many.

[Antechinus]

You should be able to reinstall the mods via the usual method. The approval warning is an odd one. Should be fixable by going into the moderation centre and approving the lot in one hit.

[matritte]

You should be able to reinstall the mods via the usual method. The approval warning is an odd one. Should be fixable by going into the moderation centre and approving the lot in one hit.

Could I send you a quick pm?