FAQs - phpAuction.net: web based auction software

Installation problems

• One of the causes could be the fact that PHP is running with safe_mode set to on.
  
  Phpauction cannot run with PHP configure in safe_mode.
  To set it to OFF it's necessary to edit the PHP configuration file (php.ini) and change
  
  safe_mode=On
  
  with
  
  safe_mode=Off
  
  Once the file is saved it's necessary to restart the web server for the change to take effect.
  

  The installation program does not start. It shows a blank page

• There are only a few files and directories, which needs special permissions. This is the general list, depending on the version and product some files may not exist. For accurate information download the installation manual available at the Manual section in the site.
  
  The following directories must be writable for the operating system's user running PHP on your server:
  
  - uploaded
  - admin/backup (Not in GPL)
  
  The exact permissions depends on your server configuration, but 666 usually works. If it doesn't, try with 777
  
  
  The following files need to be writable for the user running PHP scripts on your server:
  
  - includes/categories_select_box.ES.inc.php
  - includes/categories_select_box.EN.inc.php
  - includes/countries.inc.php
  - includes/currency.inc.php
  - includes/categories.inc.php
  - includes/config.inc.php
  - includes/invoices_footer_text.EN.inc.txt (not EP nor GPL)
  - includes/invoices_footer_text.ES.inc.txt (not EP nor GPL)
  - includes/invoices_header_text.EN.inc.txt (not EP nor GPL)
  - includes/invoices_header_text.ES.inc.txt (not EP nor GPL)
  - includes/membertypes.inc.php
  - uploaded/
  - uploaded/cache/
  - uploaded/cache/purge
  
  The following files need to be writable DURING THE INSTALLATION PROCESS for the user running PHP scripts on your server:
  
  - includes/config.inc.php
  - includes/passwd.inc.php (this can be set to non-writeable after installation)
  
  When you change graphical settings, such as colors or fonts within the Admin Back Panel, you need to set write permissions to the files:
  
  - installation_directory/themes/YOUR_CURRENT_THEME_IN_USE/style.css
  - installation_directory/themes/YOUR_CURRENT_THEME_IN_USE/settings.ini
  
  Where YOUR_CURRENT_THEME_IN_USE might mean: default, phpauction_blue, phpauction_orange, degraded_navy, etc. It means, the directory which name is of the theme you are using currently. After settings have been successfully updated , you may set non-public write permissions to those file to ensure security.
  
  When you change your logo, is necessary to set write permissions to the directory of your current theme in use in order to allow to "save" the logo in that folder. After logo has been successfully uploaded, you may set non-public write permissions to ensure security on that directory.
  
  If you are using a version previous to 2.5 also give written permission to - counter/ folder and all its content
  
  The exact chmod command to use depends on your server configuration but chmod 666 usually works. If not try with chmod 777
  

  Which permissions and on which files do I have to set to run Phpauction?

• There are many possible environments and servers' configurations, which can cause incompatibility problems. To be sure this is not the case, please download the Phpauction test compatibility script at:
  
  http://www.phpauction.net/phpauctiontest.zip
  
  Just uncompress and then upload it somewhere in your server and point your browser to it. Please check everything fits the server requirements.
  
  Also please check you have the PHP's directive "display errors" turned on to make easier to find the problem out.
  
  You can see all your PHP's settings values in the page:
  
  http://www.yoursite.com/phpinfo.php
  
  

  I installed Phpauction following the steps listed on the installation manual, I checked all the directories and files permissions and they are as requested but I still cannot run Phpauction. What can I do?

• Depending on the browser and internet connection settings this problem might occur.
  First try with a different browser, if it's still corrupted contact us through the Help Desk and we will send you the .zip file.

  I downloaded the package .zip file but it's empty or 0 Kbytes?

• Since Phpauction XL 3.0 and higher versions, is provided a file named phpinfo.php which fetch information about your php.ini file (the PHP configuration in your server)
  
  This information can show you if your server fit the server environment required in our Server Requirements page: www.phpauction.net/server.php
  
  If you have this file, please point your web browser to the Web Address:
  
  www.myauctionsite.com/phpinfo.php
  
  or
  
  www.myauctionsite.com/path/phpinfo.php
  
  If you have not this file, you can create a new blank php file and just
  type (or copy and paste) the next statement
  
  
  phpinfo();
  
  ?>
  
  Save it as phpinfo.php and then upload it to your server in order to view it in your web browser and see the PHP configuration information.
  
  Please look for each of these directives and each must match these server requirements:
  
  safe_mode=Off
  register_globals=On
  no open_basedir restriction
  enable_dl=On
  
  We suggest to fit the requirements but might not be accurate on some servers and not for 100% of the cases.
  
  Once requirements are fit, the problem could worked out but we can't guarantee it.
  
  If your server doesn't fit the requirements we encourage you to change to a correct server, please check our hosting section for more info.
  

  My installation does not work fine or fails at install4.php

• This situation is present when the software is downloaded for a different PHP's engine version.
  
  You can see the PHP version of your server going to web address:
  
  www.yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php
  or
  www.yourdomain.com/auctions/phpinfo.php
  or
  www.yourdomain.com/your_directory/phpinfo.php
  
  Therefore, please download from your Phpauction's account the proper version (PHP 4 or PHP 5 at this moment) of the software for your server.
  
  

  Fatal error: SourceGuardian Loader - script was encoded for another version of zend engine

• Please check that file
  
  uploaded/cache/purge
  
  can be writable (usually 666 or 77 depending on your server settings.
  
  If you have shell access (the old black terminal to type commands) you can type the command:
  
  chmod -R 666 /path/to/phpauciton/uploaded
  
  If you still receive the same error try the following command:
  
  chmod -R 666 /path/to/phpauciton/uploaded
  
  If you have no shell access, you may use your Web Based Hosting Control Panel and change the permissions of the file with the tools provided there.
  

  After installation I receive the following error: Warning: touch(): Unable to create file /phpauction/uploaded/cache/purge because Permission denied in /phpauction/uploaded/cache/purge or similar error