Yes, you can add that statement to the index.php file...
It will just change that setting for the execution of whatever code happens after the point you add it.. Once the script is done it will discard the setting... (no changes to the ini file are made)
You probably don't want to leave it in there for very long... it may show path information that might be sensitive... (though some people dont mind that)
But if you put it in and hit the page it will output errors to the client, as they happen.
Then you will have a little more information as to what is happening...
Feel free to post them here if they don't make sense.