Network "Solutions" rejiggers PHP, screws up Pixelpost

[ZachMatthews]

Hey guys -

Network "Solutions," the internet's most unresponsive provider, has just re-jiggered its PHP servers, which is causing trouble for Pixelpost users like me.

Basically Network Solutions has a very long directory tree terminating in /htdocs, which is your pretend "root" directory. Pixelpost never quite liked that system and the auto-detect tree form returned a bunch of jibberish. I worked around it, but I don't remember exactly what I told Pixelpost to treat as the directory.

Well, now Network Solutions has changed how it masks its tree above /htdocs, and as a result Pixelpost's db_host value is wrong (i.e. it's forgotten where the tree starts). Unforunately, I can't even access my Admin pages to change it there - I am seeking a direct workaround.

So here's my question:

1) How do you edit the "hard copy" of the information you give Pixelpost in the Admin section, specifically relating to where to search for the directory tree? I can't find this information anywhere in my files. Is it in the Language directory? Somewhere in an index.php file?

2) Barring that, how do I "trick" the index.php script (which still partly works) into letting me into the Admin section when it is searching for the files in the wrong spot?

For an example of what is going wrong, go here and try to click a thumbnail:

http://www.itinerantangler.com/photoblog/index.php?x=browse&pagenum=1

I will post back as I get information.

Zach

[Dennis]

Zach, do you have access to PHPMyAdmin?

[ZachMatthews]

I don't think I do, schonhose. What does it do?

Zach

[ZachMatthews]

I take it back, I do have access to the Database. Thanks to those who helped both here and by IM. I will post when I have fixed it.

Zach

[ZachMatthews]

Well, I was able to edit the siteurl and imagepath settings in my MySQL database directly and they made no difference. Evidently there is a fundamental disagreement somewhere in the PHP script. Network Solutions is looking at it and have an alleged PHP expert on the team.

This is definitely going to be a bug, though. I don't have the newest version of Pixelpost - would it avoid this? I don't know enough about the update to PHP these guys pulled on me to give the version number. Currently my main index.php works fine but my archive (index.php?x=browse) and my admin pages are not working.

Zach

[ZachMatthews]

Hey Moderators -

I would appreciate it if this thread could be replaced in the Pixelpost Help section; I am talking about an older version and I now realize this is for 1.5 only. I have 1.1.4. However, this is still something to look for in the new version for Network Solutions users.

Edit: Thank you!

[blinking8s]

thread moved

you should also look into upgrading pixelpost, v1.1.4 was a loooong time ago and it has may security holes in it

[ZachMatthews]

It's hard to stay with all the upgrades when you've customized your system as far as I have, but I recognize the need. Would version 1.5 have this issue with Network Solutions.

Zach

[jaywilliams]

You can always download it and upload it to a different folder and find out.

[blinking8s]

I cant say, you could try a clean install of v1.5 to test and see how it does

v1.6 is releasing soon, so i wouldn't mod 1.5 out with 1.6 about to release

what is your image path and site url in the db?

[blinking8s]

incorrect link:
http://www.itinerantangler.com/~147971.149790/htdocs/photoblog/index.php?showimage=822

correct link:
http://www.itinerantangler.com/photoblog/index.php?showimage=822

~147971.149790/htdocs/ is coming from non public section of the server, you have had no response from your host?

[ZachMatthews]

image path: /photoblog/images/

siteurl: http://www.itinerantangler.com/photoblog

Both worked fine until they made the PHP switch.

Zach

[ZachMatthews]

Blink -

I'm well aware of what the issue is doing, but no, Network Solutions has not yet got back to me. The interesting thing here is that it isn't my whole photoblog that's broken as it would be if the siteurl were completely wrong - it's only the second-tier things that happen after index.php makes some kind of call, either to the ?x=browse function or to my admin section in ?x=login. Both are broken because they're trying to reach the directory by incorrectly including the non-public area.

I can't even reach those folders, btw - they are further up the Network Solutions directory tree. Like I said, this has been a problem since day one and Pixelpost never correctly guessed the right siteurl and images paths. I had to guess and check to make them work.

Zach

[pschulze]

I am having the exact same problem at Network Solutions, but it is worse for me now. I was able to get into the Admin section by manually deleting the extra directory paths inserted in all the links. Then I reset the image path name (big mistake) based on the extra directories that were inserted in all the links and now I am getting this error:

Error:
No language folder exists or the file "lang-.php" is missing in that folder.
Make sure that you have uploaded all necessary files with the exact same names as mentioned here.

Is there a way to reset the image path even though I can't log on to the admin pages?

Thanks for any help.

Patti

ps. I also reported the error to network solutions and have not heard back.

also, I am using version 1.5 of Pixelpost

[ZachMatthews]

Patti -

Thank you. You just saved me a huge upgrade.

My service number is:

1-279091112

When you get ahold of them again, I suggest you tell them that other users are having the exact same issue and force them to fix it.

You can change the siteurl and images path back to what they were now that you have an error.

Go to NetworkSolutions.com. Log In. Follow the ridiculously overcomplicated path from Account Manager Home to Standard Hosting Package - Unix to your Hosting Control Panel (why it opens a new window? I have no idea). Once there, choose 'Database Manager,' then toggle the freaking radio button (I only have one database! Why is this necessary?) then click 'Edit.' Now click 'Manage.' Log in to PHPMyAdmin (can't help you on how to discover your password but it should be the same one you set up when you originally configured Pixelpost).

Once in PHPMyAdmin, look on the left hand menu side for pixelpost_config. Click it. Now click 'Browse' at the top of the screen in the folder tabs.

In the middle of the screen you will see a wide gray table. It has a sort of capital 'T' with two arrows on it heading up the upper left hand column of the table. Immediately below the T is a pencil. Click the pencil icon.

Boom. You are now able to edit your database information back to what it was previously set on. Change the required fields and click 'Go.'

Wow, couldn't be simpler, right? NO! Network Solutions is run by a bunch of code monkeys. If I knew when I signed up what I know now, I'd be using a different provider.

Good luck,
Zach

[pschulze]

Zach,

Thanks for a great explanantion. Interesting is that to even get to my previous database, I had to create a new one. There was not an IP address associated with my Database.

Anyway, I did as you suggested and can see where I can edit the pixelpost-config table. I was expecting to see what I entered as the path name in the imagepath field, but it was blank. I entered the path name (that used to work before all this mess) and clicked Go, but I am still getting an error.

What do you see in the imagepath field?

I also see latin1_swedish_ci in a column named Collation. Should that be English? I have no idea what that means.

When I access my blog the error I see is:
Error:
No language folder exists or the file "lang-.php" is missing in that folder.
Make sure that you have uploaded all necessary files with the exact same names as mentioned here.

URL: http://www.capturedrainbows.com/pixelpost/index.php

Thanks,

Patti

ps, I now have my photoblog back up, but still can't administer except on the one machine that previousyl had a cookie set. Still waiting on response from NS. I installed on a different host server and all works like a champ. NS is a real pain!

[pschulze]

just heard back from NS:

Network Solutions implemented an upgrade to our servers over the past weekend to enhance the security of all of our hosted Web sites. We are now using Apache® Version 2.2.



If you are currently running the PHP or server-side variables listed below on your Network Solutions® Web Hosting package, please review the instructions below to update your code. If you do not use these specific variables, you will not be affected by this update and no action is needed.





Change: PHP_SELF to: REQUEST_URI

Options Indexes Please use “+” or “-“ before your Options. For example, “Options -Indexes" or "Options +Indexes"



We recommend you make these changes to your code as soon as possible to improve the security and efficiency of your Web sites.

------------------------

Edit: Looks like these changes work. edit index.php in both root and admin

[ZachMatthews]

Patti, I got a partial fix out of that. Switching the PHP_SELF to REQUEST_URI allowed me back into my admin pages, but I wasn't able to correct the archive, and as I navigated around the Admin section, the commands after index.php? failed to clear, so I'd get index.php?view=info?view=options?view=comments, etc.

I think I need a little more specific information on the Option Indexes + or - 's.

Thanks a bunch,

Zach

[ZachMatthews]

I located the Options Indexes. NS told me to look in .htaccess. It wasn't there anyway, so I added an Options +Indexes. It made no difference so far as I can tell and the NS guy I'm on the phone with now is obviously stumped.

This may be a job for some code superheros - why would the index.php file fail to clear its variables? Why would the server be continuing to show its hidden directories?

Thanks,
Zach

[pschulze]

Zach,

I spoke too soon. I too only got a partial fix. And like you have the error on the archive pages.

I am sort of in the Admin sections, but not entirely. I am getting partial page, then it times out.

I have no idea what the Options Indexes are, but since it is not working for you, I guess I'll wait on that.

Please pass on any solution you find.

Thanks,

patti

[pschulze]

Zach,

Think I found it. Make sure to change the file paged_archive.php in the Addons folder. Change PHP_SELF to REQUEST_URI in that file as well.

Or, at least it seems to fix the Archive page problems.

patti

[dhdesign]

Zach and Patti -

The reason that your hidden directories are showing in the browser is that you put Options +Indexes in the .htaccess file - the + means you want to show the directories. If you want to hide the directories, you need to put Options -Indexes in the .htaccess file.

If the tech support guy at NS doesn't understand what Options +Indexes and Options -Indexes means, then he shouldn't be working in tech support.

Have either of you thought about switching your hosting to another company who knows what they are doing??

[pschulze]

Switching to a new hosting company is sounding better and better as I am still having problems. However, this is the first time I've had an issue with them.

My htaccess file does contain Options -Indexes so I guess there is another issue.

Thanks for any help.

patti

[ZachMatthews]

Hey Guys -

Switching over to Options -Indexes had no effect, although I agree that is what we are trying to achieve, (i.e. hiding directories, not showing them).

I switched out the PHP_SELF to REQUEST_URI in the PagedArchive.php file and I got a change but no fix. Now instead of having those hidden directories shown in the links from the thumbnails, I get the same issue I was having in the Admin section - namely that whatever additional variables you try to add after index.php? stack up.

So, what should look like this:

http://www.itinerantangler.com/photoblog/index.php?showimage=818

Looks like this instead:

http://www.itinerantangler.com/photoblog/index.php?x=browse&pagenum=1?showimage=818

As you can see, the previous PHP "page" (the paged archive file called by ?x=browse&pagenum=1) failed to be erased when the next variable (namely ?showimage=818) was called. This is the same problem that is occurring in the Admin section.

Anybody have any ideas? Network Solutions keeps telling me they are looking at it and will get back to me within 72 hours! (And yes, I'm considering switching providers).

Zach

[jaywilliams]

Why don't you just hard code your site URL into the code?

[pschulze]

Why don't you just hard code your site URL into the code?

Jay,

I think I've solved everything but the navigation links in index.php. Network Solutions had us change PHP_SELF to: REQUEST_URI througout all the PHP. Not knowing PHP and what PHP_SELF is, I did that on every page I could find.

However in the navigation section, those changes are making the PHP calls act as if they are not clearing out. Hard to explain, but when I first load index.php (in Admin), that page is fine. I roll over the links and they appear fine. I can click a link, say to Options, and that page is fine. But now, if I click General Info (from the Options page) the link is this:

"http://www.capturedrainbows.com/pixelpost/admin/index.php?view=options?view=info"

It should be:

"http://www.capturedrainbows.com/pixelpost/admin/index.php?view=info"

It is adding "view=info" on the end of the call instead of replacing the "view=options"

Here is what the navigation code is (in index.php)

<div id="navigation">
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?"><?php echo $admin_lang_new_image; ?></a>
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?view=images"><?php echo $admin_lang_images ?></a>
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?view=categories"><?php echo $admin_lang_categories ?></a>
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?view=comments"><?php echo $admin_lang_comments ?></a>
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?view=options"><?php echo $admin_lang_options ?></a>
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?view=info"><?php echo $admin_lang_general_info ?></a>
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?view=addons"><?php echo $admin_lang_addons ?></a>
<?php eval_addon_admin_workspace_menu('admin_main_menu') ; ?>
<a href="<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>?x=logout"><?php echo $admin_lang_logout ?></a>
</div>

Any clue what is going on?

I guess if nothing else, I'll hard code as you suggest.

Thanks!

patti

[dakwegmo]

PHP_SELF just grabs the name of the page you are on, REQUEST_URI gets the page plus any variables passed through the URL. If you're on index.php?view=info, the PHP_SELF if going to return index.php, while REQUEST_URI is going to return index.php?view=info.

It's possible to pull out just the index.php from REQUEST_URI, but it seems pretty silly to do this when PHP_SELF already does this for you.

Did Network Solutions explain what they did to get this function to stop working?

[dakwegmo]

What happens if you replace
<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>
with:
<?php echo $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME']; ?>

[pschulze]

PHP_SELF just grabs the name of the page you are on, REQUEST_URI gets the page plus any variables passed through the URL. If you're on index.php?view=info, the PHP_SELF if going to return index.php, while REQUEST_URI is going to return index.php?view=info.

It's possible to pull out just the index.php from REQUEST_URI, but it seems pretty silly to do this when PHP_SELF already does this for you.

Did Network Solutions explain what they did to get this function to stop working?

No, Network Solution did not explain to me what they did. Thanks for the explaination of PHP_SELF.

If I use PHP_SELF I get this as a link:

"http://www.capturedrainbows.com/~5261.5372/htdocs/pixelpost/admin/index.php?view=options"

If I use REQUEST_URI I get this:
"http://www.capturedrainbows.com/pixelpost/admin/index.php?view=options"

If I hard code the URL, the links work as above.

But, in all instances, now I can't upload an image. Under General Info I get this:

Guessed imagepath: /data/0/0/5/98/5261/user/5372/htdocs/~5261.5372/htdocs/pixelpost/images/
Configured Imagepath:

Image Directory: Does Not Exist (should be images) - Thumbnails folder not writable! You must set correct permissions on this folder or you will not be able to upload any images.
Set the folder to chmod 777 (read, write and execute permissions for owner, group and world).

Thumbnails Directory: Does Not Exist (should be thumbnails) -
Language Directory: Does Not Exist (should be language)
Addons Directory: Does Not Exist (should be addons)
Includes Directory: Does Not Exist (should be includes)
Templates Directory: Does Not Exist (should be templates)

Am I totally screwed here?

Thanks for any help.

patti

[dakwegmo]

This seems to indicate your imagepath is blank. On the options page in your admin panel, what do you have in the box under "Images Path"?

If it's blank try typing in: /data/0/0/5/98/5261/user/5372/htdocs/~5261.5372/htdocs/pixelpost/images/

If that is what's in there, you'll need to contact Network Solutions and find out what the correct path is to your web root.

[pschulze]

This seems to indicate your imagepath is blank. On the options page in your admin panel, what do you have in the box under "Images Path"?

If it's blank try typing in: /data/0/0/5/98/5261/user/5372/htdocs/~5261.5372/htdocs/pixelpost/images/

If that is what's in there, you'll need to contact Network Solutions and find out what the correct path is to your web root.

yes, my images path was blank. I had to edit the database to change it since can't get admin pages to work properly. Actually I had to use
/data/0/0/5/98/5261/user/5372/htdocs/pixelpost/images/
for the path name instead of that extra "~5261.5372/htdocs"

Now, on to see if I can get the admin pages to work. It seems as if I have to use the REQUEST_URI with the changes that NS made. But that takes the existing page and then adds on the new request resulting in paths like this:
"admin/index.php?view=options?view=info"

I guess it's back to Network Solutions to see if they have a solution.

Thanks for any (and all) help!!

Patti

[dakwegmo]

Now, on to see if I can get the admin pages to work. It seems as if I have to use the REQUEST_URI with the changes that NS made. But that takes the existing page and then adds on the new request resulting in paths like this:
"admin/index.php?view=options?view=info"

That's actually the problem I was referring to when I posted this:


What happens if you replace
<?php echo $REQUEST_URI; ?>
with:
<?php echo $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME']; ?>

[pschulze]

Sorry, I guess I missed your previous post, or didn't understand it.

I made the change, but that still did not solve the problem. I get:

/~5261.5372/htdocs/pixelpost/admin/index.php?view=comments

for the path name where it should be
/pixelpost/admin/index.php?view=comments

My code looks like this:
<a href="<?php echo $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME']; ?>?"><?php echo $admin_lang_new_image; ?></a>

Just to make sure I made the change correctly.

patti

[dakwegmo]

If that's the case, I would consider just hard coding as Jay had suggested. Something like this should work:

<div id="navigation">
<a href="index.php?"><?php echo $admin_lang_new_image; ?></a>
<a href="index.php?view=images"><?php echo $admin_lang_images ?></a>
<a href="index.php?view=categories"><?php echo $admin_lang_categories ?></a>
<a href="index.php?view=comments"><?php echo $admin_lang_comments ?></a>
<a href="index.php?view=options"><?php echo $admin_lang_options ?></a>
<a href="index.php?view=info"><?php echo $admin_lang_general_info ?></a>
<a href="index.php?view=addons"><?php echo $admin_lang_addons ?></a>
<?php eval_addon_admin_workspace_menu('admin_main_menu') ; ?>
<a href="index.php?x=logout"><?php echo $admin_lang_logout ?></a>
</div>


You will also need to go through and hard code any admin addons you have too.

If I were you I'd seriously consider switching hosts. If they're going to use non-standard server configurations, they should at least be able to tell you how to get things work correctly.

[pschulze]

You will also need to go through and hard code any admin addons you have too.

If I were you I'd seriously consider switching hosts. If they're going to use non-standard server configurations, they should at least be able to tell you how to get things work correctly.

Thanks for all your help. That is what I am doing, hard coding.

And, yes, I am thinking about switching! What a pain they've caused.


patti

[ZachMatthews]

Please let us know if hard-coding works for you. This is uber-annoying. I received NS's "expert" advice and it was exactly what you posted here earlier. I am pretty hot right now, let me tell you.

I've called and actually managed to draw the same call center technician I talked to last night. He is "busy researching for you" yet again, and has admitted he knows nothing about PHP.

Has anyone ever switched server providers mid-stream before? How do you do a big migration like that with Pixelpost? I have a million things on my website that I wouldn't want to code again, believe you me.

Zach

[dakwegmo]

migrating PixelPost is pretty easy. You need to make a backup of your database, and all of the your files.

Create the database on your new host, update pixelpost.php with the new database info, and upload all of your files. Login to your admin panel and update the image path, and you should be set.

I've had to change servers twice since I started using PixelPost and it's by far the easiest application I've had to move.

[pschulze]

Zach,

The hard coding is working, but it was a pain. There are tons of places where you need to check. For example, new_image.php to make sure you can upload and delete your images.

[pschulze]

migrating PixelPost is pretty easy. You need to make a backup of your database, and all of the your files.

Create the database on your new host, update pixelpost.php with the new database info, and upload all of your files. Login to your admin panel and update the image path, and you should be set.

I've had to change servers twice since I started using PixelPost and it's by far the easiest application I've had to move.

I am trying to upload to another server. I exported my database, then tried to import on the other server but am getting permission errors. Do I need to create the database on the new server and do the install.php first before importing?

Patti

[ZachMatthews]

I may have another solution.

I just wrote this, but the image send didn't go through:

"FIXED!

Last night's NS tech came through. The fix was stupidly easy.

Switch ALL former PHP_SELF or REQUEST_URI calls to SCRIPT_URL.

That's it. I had messed around with my MySQL directories as well, so I will put up the ones that are currently working:

Siteurl = http://www.itinerantangler.com/photoblog

Images Path = ../

That works for me. I'm going to double-check by uploading an image but functionality appears to be 100%.

Zach"

I am now going to swap out new_image.php, etc., and see if it will work. This did at least repair the archive.

Zach

[ZachMatthews]

Well, I seem to have everything working, including in-admin navigation, except the ability to post new photos (which kind of defeats the purpose, huh?)

I think I am on the right track. If I post the error I'm getting, maybe one of you could tell me what I am missing. I suspect there's still a file on the server where I need to switch the PHP_SELF to SCRIPT_URL.

Here's the error I get when posting an image:


Warning: imagejpeg(): supplied argument is not a valid Image resource in /data/2/0/147/156/147971/user/149790/htdocs/photoblog/includes/functions.php on line 92

Warning: chmod() [function.chmod]: No such file or directory in /data/2/0/147/156/147971/user/149790/htdocs/photoblog/includes/functions.php on line 94


I am using Pixelpost 1.1.4, by the way. I know I should upgrade, etc., but this is customized to my website and until now did everything I want.

Thanks,
Zach

[pschulze]

Zach,

I have PP 1.5 and now have everything working (as far as I know) by replacing all to Script_URL. Thanks for posting that solution.

For your problem, did you edit new_image.php in the Admin folder? The form tag in there needs replacing.

patti

[ZachMatthews]

Patti -

I don't have that file; it must not have been in Pixelpost 1.4. :(

Can anyone help me?

Zach


EDIT: Wait a minute! I'm running version 1.4! Looks like the server was returning the wrong number while it was messed up. Can anyone help now?

[ZachMatthews]

Fixed it!

I had the path setting wrong - the SCRIPT_URL worked perfectly.

The correct path is ../images/

Duh.

Zach