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Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 9:56 am
by GµårÐïåñ
I have been using the 1.x branch for a while now and love it. When I tried to update and found out that they are not compatible and the 2.x have to be installed from scratch on their own, I downloaded and attempted to install it.

However, each time I try to launch it (which according to the code should trigger the installation interface) it instead gives this error:
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING in /path/of/the/htdocs/on/server/myfaq/index.php on line 162
I have tried to look through the documentation and search for a solution but unfortunately I found nothing and I have tried everything that I thought might be the reason but nothing worked, any ideas please? I really love this software and would like to install the new version and I would be grateful for any help figuring out what is wrong with it and why it won't install/work properly. I even tried manually configuring the file to see if it would run but no go, same error each and every time.

Thank you for your assistance in advance.

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 4:14 pm
by Thorsten
Hi,

which version did you installed? Which PHP version do you use?

bye
Thorsten

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 9:36 pm
by GµårÐïåñ
I installed the latest stable version on the site, under download (2.6.7) and additionally I have access to all PHP versions (not officially including 6 yet) and most everything I use on my server runs with PHP 5 and mySQL.

I looked through the "requirements" already and checked against the server and all is well on that front, which is why I am not sure what's going on.

Thanks.

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:37 am
by Thorsten
Hi,

this is really strange, the error message doesn't make any sense according to the line number mentioned there.

So, this is a "fresh" install, right? Which steps did you take?

bye
Thorsten

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:27 pm
by GµårÐïåñ
Yes its a fresh install. I agree that it makes no sense, but here we are. That's why I wanted to let you know about it.

The steps I took was after this happened, I manually configured the config file and tried and still got the same error and I updated .htaccess and still the same problem and I updated with a php.ini and still the same problem. I am at a loss so that's why I am asking you for help to figure out what's going on and get it up and running already.

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:31 am
by Thorsten
Hi,

you have to run the install script, don't do things manually. This can't work!

So, please start with a fresh install and use the install script.

bye
Thorsten

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:50 am
by GµårÐïåñ
Ok, I have tried to be patient but YOU ARE NOT LISTENING TO ME. I told you that I did a fresh install and your script fails IMMEDIATELY with the error that was provided. I only did the manual edit AFTER your install failed only to observe that the code generates the same error. So please pay attention, this is not fair to give the run around like this. I mentioned all this in great detail from the first post. You have simply been asking me the things that have already been said in the original post and not providing any constructive help or direction and now you are just plain old blaming it on me and telling me to do what I have ALREADY done and why I came here for support.

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:13 pm
by Thorsten
Hi,

if you look into the file index.php, line 34:

Code: Select all

if (!file_exists('config/database.php')) {
    header("Location: install/setup.php");
    exit();
}
If the file config/database.php doesn't exists, you will be redirected to the setup. So, it seems, you have this file and then this doesn't work. The phpMyFAQ package doesn't deliver the file config/database.php.

Do you have a config/database.php file? If yes, delete it please and run the setup.

bye
Thorsten

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:06 pm
by GµårÐïåñ
Listen, for the love of god, I have not idea why you are being like this and not getting the problem. I DO NOT HAVE A CONFIG FILE WHEN IT FAILS. So since I have to draw you a picture to get it, first time in 20 years I have had to do this for a developer to understand a problem, then here it is:

Original Package (from your website):
Image

Package on the Server (exactly as in the original package):
Image
NOTE: They are identical and there is no config file there and therefore the install should kick in.

Result (when you access it which should trigger install):
Image
NOTE: This error ALWAYS occurs and makes absolutely no sense.

Now are you going to figure out what's wrong, or are we going to keep going in circles on this? There has to be something causing this and since the package is being installed AS-IS from your website, it has to be something involved with the way they are constructed or something in the code which is not triggering right, especially that the server requirements are MORE than met.

As much as I love this program and I was looking forward to the new version (which was a disappointment since that means all the old documents are now useless and have to be redone) this experience is now very much negating my love for it and has been nothing but a gigantic disappointment. It seems you don't even care about that. If you are doing this as a hobby and you don't care, that's one thing, tell me so I can cut my losses and move on to a better written program, but if you do care and are a professional, act like it for heaven's sake. You are killing me here.

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:26 am
by Thorsten
Hi,

I want to help you and I understand your disappointment.

Since the file exist check don't work on your server and you are the only one with this problem, please try the following. Please try to run the setup directly by typing http://www.yourserver.com/faq/install/setup.php

bye
Thorsten

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 8:37 pm
by GµårÐïåñ
Or I am the only one who is willing to spend his time telling you and trying to figure it out. Doesn't mean its not happening, it could just mean that people don't care enough to let you know. Plus, even if its one person having the problem, something is there that is causing it and if in wide use it might happen more. Would you rather be ready for it now or wait until it fails and totally ruins the reputation?

I tried what you said and now I get this error instead:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: date_default_timezone_set() in /xxx/htdocs/dev/myfaq/config/constants.php on line 387
so what now?

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:51 am
by Thorsten
Hi,
GµårÐïåñ wrote:I tried what you said and now I get this error instead:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: date_default_timezone_set() in /xxx/htdocs/dev/myfaq/config/constants.php on line 387
so what now?
this error indicates that you use PHP 4 or you use a PHP 5 version without having DateTime support which is enabled since PHP 5.1.0. As you can see in this page http://de3.php.net/manual/en/function.d ... ne-set.php it was introduced in PHP 5.1. phpMyFAQ 2.5 and later only support PHP 5.2 and later.

Now I also understand the first error you got. PHP 4 doesn't support the "instanceof" construct introduced in PHP 5. So it looks like you're still running PHP 4.

To detect which version of PHP you are using, please try a page with phpinfo().

Please use at least PHP 5.2.0, a better choice would be PHP 5.3 because it's much faster.

I hope this helps.

bye
Thorsten

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:40 am
by GµårÐïåñ
Once again you are wrong and continue to make all the wrong assumptions. As you can see here, the version of my PHP is a very recently updated 8/2010 install of version of 5.

Image

I am now officially done messing this application. I can't do this anymore, just a royal waste of time. Too bad, it had potential.

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:41 am
by Thorsten
Hi,

okay, then the DateTime extension is missing. That's why you get this error.

bye
Thorsten

Re: Error when trying to install the 2.x branch

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:04 am
by GµårÐïåñ
Its an absurd claim since it shows up just fine in the php_info's complete dump. I only showed you the first part that was relevant instead of sending the whole thing. Just because you didn't figure out why your application didn't install, doesn't mean you have to keep blaming the client.