Serendipity Forums

I CHMOD all files/directorys. I noticed that Serendipity 1.3.1 ZIP
didn't make the archives/ folder so I made one. Still, I get the 500 Error message:
"The server encountered an unexpected condition which prevented it from fulfilling the request.
The script had an error or it did not produce any output. If there was an error, you should be able to see it in the error log".
I am using ipower host. How can I view the error log? Thanx in advance for reading. Bill C.

You'd have to ask iPower how to view your server error logs.

I've had this same problem on PowWeb a few times. It's usually because I've messed around with my .htaccess, or severely messed up a script. You haven't edited any of the files, but when Serendipity installs, it modifies the .htaccess. Try deleting it (back it up first!) and see if it has any effect.

The rest of the time, this error means I've modified the permissions on my files in a way the hosting service doesn't appreciate. I usually switch to 755, and everything starts working again.

judebert wrote:You'd have to ask iPower how to view your server error logs.

I've had this same problem on PowWeb a few times. It's usually because I've messed around with my .htaccess, or severely messed up a script. You haven't edited any of the files, but when Serendipity installs, it modifies the .htaccess. Try deleting it (back it up first!) and see if it has any effect.

The rest of the time, this error means I've modified the permissions on my files in a way the hosting service doesn't appreciate. I usually switch to 755, and everything starts working again.

Hrmm, I don't have a .htaccess file in the dir/. I was lead to believe the installation creates it. I added one before but to no avail. I can't get to the "Simple installation" page. I'm thinking that I'm missing some main folders or files. I don't know because I can't compare my files to a working Serendipity blog. I'll see what the error logs has first. Thanx.

I downloaded the error log and it's worthless. I called ipower support and thier worthless. I have tried every permission with no luck. I am starting to think about giving up and looking for another blog script. Why didn't the archives/ folder extract in every format I tried? Also, I have no .htaccess. This is frustrating.

Bill - the problem is not Serendipity - the symptoms point to the server. While I am not a server expert, those who know about this stuff are doing everything they can to assist.

.htaccess is considered a hidden file, and you may, or may not see it. Are you sure it does not exist? Also, some zipfile extraction programs will not create empty directories, which might explain the lack of an /archives folder.

Keep providing the community with as much information as you can, and I believe the s9y community will do its best to assist you with your issues.

Don Chambers wrote:Bill - the problem is not Serendipity - the symptoms point to the server. While I am not a server expert, those who know about this stuff are doing everything they can to assist.

.htaccess is considered a hidden file, and you may, or may not see it. Are you sure it does not exist? Also, some zipfile extraction programs will not create empty directories, which might explain the lack of an /archives folder.

Keep providing the community with as much information as you can, and I believe the s9y community will do its best to assist you with your issues.

Thank you Don. I did not mean to sound ungrateful. I am not new to PHP either nor an expert. The problem is with my server. They seem to have the hatches batten down when it comes to security. Ipower requires the owners to manually activate their CGI permissions. I found this out by accident. I have the script running now. I mean, I couldn't even view the error log file. The archives/ folder issue is something I would of never figured out if I didn't ask. That was a surprise not being mentioned in the "Fresh Installation-Requirement" section. I might add that the .htaccess was mentioned at first as, ".htaccess [created on installation]". That is what I was lead to believe . I'm very thankful for a free script with a strong community to back it up. Now I have to install it.

Now I am getting "Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)" Error. I wonder if the socket is even there. I'm using the default database host name, "localhost". I tried remotely with no luck.

Hi!

Did you try to use 127.0.0.1 as your database server? Please ask your provider which is the correct Database host.

REgards,
Garvin

garvinhicking wrote:Hi!

Did you try to use 127.0.0.1 as your database server? Please ask your provider which is the correct Database host.

REgards,
Garvin

Yes, I did. Lost connection to MySQL server during query is the error message. I am waiting to contact my hoster as soon as they open. I have another server with a data base. It works fine with localhost name. Seems they are having trouble with the CGI end.

Additionally, you have to create the database yourself before you install Serendipity. Creating the database should tell you what the proper host, user, and password is; you substitute those in the install script.

I'm really sorry to hear you're having so much trouble. If it's any comfort, we'll be using your experiences to improve the script. For instance, I'm recommending to Garvin that we put an empty, hidden file in the archives/ directory so all extraction programs will create the directory.

And of course, we'll always be here to help you out.

judebert wrote:Additionally, you have to create the database yourself before you install Serendipity. Creating the database should tell you what the proper host, user, and password is; you substitute those in the install script.

I'm really sorry to hear you're having so much trouble. If it's any comfort, we'll be using your experiences to improve the script. For instance, I'm recommending to Garvin that we put an empty, hidden file in the archives/ directory so all extraction programs will create the directory.

And of course, we'll always be here to help you out.

It goes with the territory. You win some you lose some. More important, the process of elimination, thanks to you guys. I created the data base as instructed.
OK, update. I've been using IE browser to pull the installation page. I tried Firefox and it gave me other options for, "Database type". Instead of the default"MySQL" I had a drop down menu of, "SQLite", and "MySQLi". SQLite extention worked. I have my blog up and running. Firefox to the rescue once again for me.

Oooh, we've got to figure out why IE didn't display those! Thanks for the problem report, and glad to hear everything's up and running.

judebert wrote:Oooh, we've got to figure out why IE didn't display those! Thanks for the problem report, and glad to hear everything's up and running.

Yeah, that is strange why Firfox outputs the array data base type and IE doesn't. Maybe it's on my end with browser security. If not, then I'm sure you would have of alot more topics with the same problem. But, through my experience, IE hates Java and PHP. It doesn't like to be told what to output by certain statements it considers a threat to compromise.