mboard permissions problem

[tcsails]

Script URL:http://www.wsu.edu/~converse/php7/mboard/mboard.php
Version of script:1.3
Hosting company:wsu.edu
URL of phpinfo.php:
URL of session_test.php:
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I have been using this board for about a year. I reset the board today, erasing previous messages. When I try to post a message, I now get the error reply: Couldn't create file "msg/2.html"! Please CHMOD the "msg" folder to 666 (rw-rw-rw)!

That's odd because the directions clearly specify using 777. In any case I tried setting the message folder to both 666 and 777, and got the same error. At this point I'm not sure what to try.

Thanks,

Terry

[Henrie]

Hello Terry,

This is strange indeed.
I noticed the mboards are in a protected directory. This was also with the case before you reset the mboard?

btw. I just wanted to test is myself and could not sign the MBoard myself either unless i set $settings['autosubmit']=0;
In my case it did not matter if the directory was protected (.htaccess file) or not. It could be a problem with the server i test on, but the guestbook is running fine on it (with $settings['autosubmit']=1;).

I don't have much time to test more right now. But maybe these are hints to resolve it yourself (although i think you have tried a lot already yourself).

btw. settings i use are according to the readme.htm file

• Within the MBoard directory create a folder called "msg". It must be named EXACTLY "msg", CaSe SeNSiTiVE! Names like "Msg" or "MSG" will result in an error! Make sure this folder is world-writable - on UNIX (Linux) servers you must CHMOD (set permissions for) this folder to 777 (rwx-rwx-rwx). Corresponding URL: http://www.yourdomain.com/mboard/msg
• Make sure that the PHP scripts have permission to write to files threads.txt and counts.txt - on UNIX (Linux) servers you must CHMOD (set permissions for) these two files to 666 (rw-rw-rw).

Greetings,
Henrie

[Klemen]

I can't seem to open your MBoard (requires username/password)?

There are two possible problems:
1. files/directory isn't writable
2. file writing has been disabled in your PHP

You should post your phpinfo.php file to show us your setup details.

[tcsails]

Thanks very much for the quick reply.

It is a definite mystery because I've been using the board for a year and all has been working fine. I haven't changed any of the settings, so I would think it has to be a permission problem.

The password is:
user name: private
password: post

URL of phpinfo.php:http://www.wsu.edu/~converse/php/mboard/mboard.php

URL of session_test.php:http://www.wsu.edu/~converse/php/mboard/mboard.php?

[Klemen]

The private/post combination doesn't work for me, could you double-check it?

By asking for the phpinfo.php file I was referring to the file that lists your PHP configuration details and can be found here:
viewtopic.php?t=82

[tcsails]

Right, my mistake, the password is "posts," not post.

user name: private
password: posts

Terry

[Klemen]

OK, it's defenitely a permissions problem, becuase writing to the threads.txt file works fine.

Try this:

1. delete your current msg folder
2. create a new msg folder. Don't set any permissions, leave default ones.
3. test if it works

If not:
4. set chmod to 777 (rwxrwxrwx) for folder "msg"
5. test if it works

If not:
contact your server administrator to check the settings/error logs why the script can't create new files inside the directory

[tcsails]

Hi Klemen,

To do this test, do I need to reset the count.txt to 0, and clear the threads.txt?

Terry

[tcsails]

I tried deleting and creating a new msg file (using first the default) and then the 777 permissions. It still gave the same message.

So, if I understand what's going on, it means the PHP is writing effectively to the threads.txt but not the msg folder. This means that the PHP in general is working from the server (because I thought it might be a possibility that they were doing routine maintenance and shut down the PHP).

The msg folder starts out as a totally blank folder, right?

Can you think of anything else I could try?

[Klemen]

That seems to be the case, yes - PHP can write successfuly into the threads.txt and count.txt files, but it can't create new files within the "msg" folder (which indeed is empty at start).

If you upload and post a link to the phpinfo.php file (that can, again, be found here: viewtopic.php?t=82) I can have a look at your configuration for any obvious problems, but other than that I'm afraid I can't be of help.

[tcsails]

The phpinfo file is at:

http://www.wsu.edu/~converse/php7/phpinfo.php

Would it help if I sent you copy of my settings file as well? Given that the program was previously working, and I didn't change any of the configurations, I doubt that's the problem, but if it might offer a clue to problem, it's easy enough to do.

Terry

[tcsails]

Hi Klemen,

Did the phpinfo file reveal any problems?

Would it be worth a shot to set up a completely different PHP directory, and see if that works.

Thanks,

Terry

[Klemen]

Sorry, I've been busy and forgot to check.

I did have a look now and didn't notice any problems in the settings. You can try in a different folder, but I'm not sure that will make a difference. Your best bet is to get a hold of your server administrator and have him check PHP logs and folder settings.