Hi, I'm trying to add the latest version of E-Blah to my website and I've got a questions. Where do I put in database values so that my forum will display? I know it won't show up until I enter database info but I don't know where to enter it. Sorry if this a total newbie question.  ;D

You are trying to install E-Blah SQL 3.5? You will need to have a MySQL database setup somewhere with hostname, username, password, and table prefix information available to you. Depending upon your host and hosting package, they may or may not offer a MySQL service.

Yes, I have the database set up already. But, usually when I add something (blog, etc..) I am able to get to some type of setup screen where I can enter my database information. I can't get to that setup screen. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

Have you run Setup.pl? It's included with E-Blah SQL 3.5 and should get your database configured. Let me know where you have uploaded your forum on your server. I can help you get it setup and running if you like as well.

Here's what I've done...I downloaded eblah SQL 3.5...uploaded and extracted the contents to directory /public_html/forum...and, now I'm stuck. I changed all of the permissions. I see the install.pl file, but it's a read me file. What do I do with it? I tried directing my browser to it and it just takes me to my main website. See, the forum will just be an add on to my site. So, it has it's own database. I'm completely frustrated. I'm new to this, so I'm not sure what info you need from me.  

I am using hostgator. Thanks for taking the time to help me. :)

Hi, the setup.pl file isn't a readme, if you open it as text on your computer you'll see justins very helpful comments, but that is the actual setup file, that installs eblah for you pretty much, When you've uploaded all those files to your server, you need to launch that in your browser so if the path is http:www.example.com/forum/Setup.pl go there, remember setup.pl and Setup.pl are different. If all is well, (and it should be) you'll see the eblah set up screen! Hopefully you won't encounter any more problems! you know where we all are if you do! :D

By the way, to add, if setup.pl opens as a text file in your browser when its on your server then your server either doesnt support perl or isn't set up for it. Your host should be able to sort that. But hopefully that won't be an issue! :D

You need to CHMOD Install.pl 755 and then run it.  Also, be sure you uploaded it in ASCII.

Quoted from Justin

You need to CHMOD Install.pl 755 and then run it.  Also, be sure you uploaded it in ASCII.

How do I know if I uploaded it in ASCII? Thank you guys for all of the help! Hopefully I can figure it out. :)

In your FTP program there are usually 3 options for uploading Binary, ASCII and automatic. Automatic sometimes makes a mistake and uploads in the wrong format. You'll need to find this option and change it to ASCII, remembering to change it back to automatic for general other stuff afterwards.

SmartFTP is regarded as one of the best. although you do have to pay after a 30 day trial. FileZilla is opensource, maybe not quite as good but i've had no problems with it, You can get which ever you choose from my site in my signature below anyway. Have fun! :D

Yeah, I use SmartFTP. Ok, I changed to ASCII to upload. Here's the url of my forum http://makemyprofilepop.com/forum/cgi-bin/forum  If you point your browser there, you'll see just a directory. Now, where do I go from here? I'm sorry if I'm being annoying with all of the questions.  :-/

I have tried to run Install.pl but all I get is a box asking how I would like to open the .pl file. And, upon opening it, I just see a bunch of text..

Do I need to use the sql 3.5 version of eblah? Or can I try downloading another version?

Unless you use modrewrite to make Blah.pl the index file for that directory this link won't work: http://makemyprofilepop.com/forum/cgi-bin/forum
It will need to be something like http://makemyprofilepop.com/forum/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl

However, it looks as though your host does not support perl at the moment. When I select Blah.pl, it just prompts me to download it.

Eeek, That was one of my first thoughts above, Thats a nightmare because unless your host is willing to install perl for you there isn't much you can do depending on your server configuration. If moving hosts isn't an option, I offer free subdomains, you could keep your site at http://www.makemyprofilepop.com and simply put your forum on my server which does support perl, on the subdomain makemyprofilepop.i-conica.net. Then link all links to that. That's a last resort though i guess. If you can get your host to drop in the perl then your good! :D

When I look at my server info, it says I have Perl 5.8.8...does that mean my host supports perl? This stuff is WAY over my head. lol I'm gonna do a little more research and if I can't figure anything out, I may just take you up your subdomain offer, iCONICA. :)

:) It does look like your host supports perl, You may wanna ask your host why a perl script isn't running when you have the necessary perl modules installed. Your forum folder is in your cgi-bin folder, good good. It looks like it may be a problem with your host rather than something your doing wrong.

Take it up with them, If all else fails you know where i am ;)

Ok, I contacted my host and here's what they said:


To run .pl scripts they need to be either placed in your cgi-bin or you'll need jailed SSH access so you can run this via shell. I've enabled shell access for the user 'jodiiii' at this time. Please note you'll need to use a program like putty to SSH to the server and use the custom port 2222 that we use for shell and you should then just be able to cd to the directory this install.pl is located in and run it from there. Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns. Thanks.


Now, being a total beginner...this is completely overwhelming to me.  ??) What now? Thanks for all of the help so far, I hope I'm not being annoying. :)

All that sounds complicated but read the first part, "To run .pl scripts they need to be either placed in your cgi-bin or" the rest is abit more complex but remember the "or"....
Your forums perl scripts are in the cgi-bin folder so there shouldn't be a problem, they are saying that because some servers don't support running scripts from outside the cgi-bin folder, my does fortunately but as all of eblah's perl scripts are supposed to go in the cgi-bin folder anyway, there shouldn't be the issues your having...

To me, (i could be wrong) but it sounds like there is nothing you can do, you've done everything correct so far. Your perl scripts are in the correct place, they still won't run. Let the host know this.

Inform them the scripts have been placed in the cgi-bin folder and the server is still not handling them correctly. As if the perl module isn't working correctly.

Hope they sort it for ya! :D

PS. sorry for the long delay, i was hoping Justin would jump in as he's the perl expert! ;)

8) i-CONICA 8)

Jodi,

If you would like  me to install your board for you, let me know via a PM.  Sometimes it is tricky with certain hosts.

- Craig.