Yet another "You cannot download or install new packages because..." question

[Gryzor]

So, yes, I've run into it before and it's always been a permission issue. This time I saw it (for the first time!) while trying to uninstall a Package, but anyhow. Made sure I have set the directory to 777 recursively, but still getting the same error... looking around in older posts I haven't seen anything to help.

Trying to upgrade/install Simple Audio Video Embedder and pulling out my hair

I'm sorry because I'm posting about something that has been asked a billion times before, but I'm not able to solve it...

[Illori]

Do you have a temp folder in the packages folder? If not create one.

[Gryzor]

Yes, there is one, also 777 (/tmp). 

[Doug Heffernan]

If you go to the Options area at the Packages Manager, can you untick/deactivate the following option?

Code Select Expand

Create a backup of key SMF files whenever a package is installed or uninstalled.

[Gryzor]

You mean if I can, or are you telling me to do it? Yes it's toggleable, should I try without that?

[Illori]

Yes, there is one, also 777 (/tmp).

Not tmp

You are looking for /packages/temp

[Gryzor]

Yes, there is one, also 777 (/tmp).

Not tmp

You are looking for /packages/temp

Hmm yeah, I don't have that. Let me create it real quick... 

[Doug Heffernan]

You mean if I can, or are you telling me to do it? Yes it's toggleable, should I try without that?

I meant for you to disable/deactivate it.

But try the temp folder thing first. Hopefully that will fix it.

[Gryzor]

Ok, here's what I discovered!

I was sure I had the temp folder because of previous similar issues, it seemed weird to me I didn't have it. Anyhow, proceeded to create it, chmodded it to 777, then tried again to uninstall/install a mod.

Same error about permissions. Went to check, huh, /temp had disappeared! 

Created it again. And again. Same thing, every time I tried to perform an action, the folder would be deleted!

Then I checked the ownership and changed it to www-data:www-data from my own local user. This time it stuck, and I could proceed with the installation of the mod!

So weird...

[Illori]

i dont know if this works for SMF 2.1, but maybe something for you to look into.

https://custom.simplemachines.org/index.php?mod=724

[Gryzor]

Ha, so it's a known thing? That's a pretty specific mod  Thanks for the pointer!!

[Gryzor]

Oh darn. temp dir is still there, but I'm now getting the same error about permissions again... everything is at 777. I feel like curling up in a ball and crying...

The temp dir is gone again. The mod linked to is not meant for 2.1*, but for now I just made a script to automate creating one and changing ownership and permissions...

*OOOPS how stupid am I, forgot to say what version I'm running, it's 2.1.2. Sorry!

[Doug Heffernan]

Did you try this suggestion? If not, give it a try and see if it will help.

If you go to the Options area at the Packages Manager, can you untick/deactivate the following option?

[Gryzor]

Oh sorry, yes I did try it. No soap...