I've not logged into my site for just over a month. Yesterday when I went to log in instead of being taken to the sign in page "/", saw the URL was …/install.php and page said "Site is currently unavailable".
I've emailed my webhost (Dreamhost) in case it's (unlikely) at their end but what happened and more important, how do I recover? My last "download" (not from BACKUP) was from Oct when I was last in.
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Mac
Perhaps the host changed your server, or some aspect of the configuration. Perhaps they upgraded PHP or SQL.
Have you used PhpMyAdmin or a control panel to look at your database?
Have you stepped through the INSTALL, if possible. Have you examined your config.php file to make sure it is not corrupted?
TONS and TONS of things can affect your access. You may have to see if you can do a fresh installation and use the same DB. Be sure to SAVE a database dump before you attempt ANYTHING. -Stephen
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Stephen:
I just "exported" my dB from phpAdmin. There's content in config.php but no idea if it's okay.
Am I better to do new install or try walking through the install.php?
Also, if I do fresh install - should I stay with my current version or update to "most current"?. The changelog.txt file I have for my version 2010-12-26. The download called itself 4.2.4.
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Mac
Don't mean to appear snide (well, maybe I do). Have you not been reading this forum for the last 8 months?
v4.2.4 is nearly ancient history. There are a bunch of little bugs that, added together, can be pretty serious.
Gerry bumps the DOWNLOAD THIS thread periodically as a strong reminder to => UPGRADE NOW <=
After you upgrade, you may also wish to do an install of webtrees via the PGV=>webtrees wizard. It leaves your PGV installation totally untouched, operating just as it did before using its settings to configure webtrees. I would wait for the release of the next version, 1.2.5, which should be within the next two weeks. 1.2.4, like PGV 4.2.4, needs a couple of patches to work with accented languages and it has a problem with GEDCOM downloads. Over 30 bugs and a thousand of so code changes have already been squashed since the recent release.
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Stephen:
YES I do know there are updates. Yes, I'm guilty of not being up-to-date. That said, I wasn't sure whether upgrading with my current problem should be done, that's all. Will d/l the svn after I get the all okay at my webhost end. I have two backups of my database - I did export and my webhost monthly backup was just done as well (saved to my local drive).
webtrees doesn't support Research Assistant which I use a lot and have tons of current entries. To-Do tag doesn't meet my needs. Off top of my head, think that was biggest reason not to move over at the moment. I have data entry for a couple of thousand people and use RA to remind me to follow-up afterwards on certain unknowns.
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Mac
No problem. Setup the new site using the same user/password, DB name, and prefix first. If for some reason it doesn't work, set up a new prefix (and/or DB) and do a totally fresh install. If you do the latter, you can move across any tables that you may need (users, news, messages, favorites and place-locations for GM) if that is an issue with a public site.
RA isn't really a module that will likely be supported again. It was developed by some of John's students as a class project, not actually completed, and doesn't work fully as intended. Doubtful it will be patched if/when PGV enters development again. There is nothing it does that can't be handled with a special SOUR, or with the webtrees Journal block and notes.
I used it, on occasion, and have found changing my work style easier than reviewing the RA notes. Most of the time I simply complete the line or project now, no longer putting it off, since I never got back around to it anyway ;-)) I dare say that if you have more than 25-50 RA reminders, you'll never get them done either. Very easy to create a special source and write lengthy notes, if needed, to describe what needs further research. These would then remain with the GEDCOM for posterity, should something happen to you, and RA doesn't. Set the RESN or privacy for that SOUR XREF to a role for managers and admins only and not even worry about users seeing them (if you don't wish them published). Just a hint from a heavy user who has long since happily left RA's issues behind. You just have to think creatively to devise a solution with a better result, like the one I propose instead of relying on a non-spec-compliant and buggy module.
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I use RA for notes not the other stuff it does. I copy the primary name/ID# for the entry, attach applicable SOUR reference and copy in relevant text. Many times it's relatives mentioned in obits that I may/may not have accounted for. Until this batch of data entry is done, won't know if I have them all. Or it mentions people that, if I ever do come across them, I've made note of who to link them to. "Clutter" I don't want viewers to see. Although admittedly, I don't get repeat viewers as they find PGV too complicated.
Your proposal make work. I'll first get PGV up again first. Did a full new install using existing dB and prefix.
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UPDATE: Finished upgrade. Went to my install that sits at …/install.php and it won't run. Cache cleared, history cleared in browser just to make sure :)
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(begin rant)
You're the third Dreamhost user I know of who has trouble with that host & PGV. Nobody else is reporting problems with PGV, and one of the users had so much trouble that I ended up hosting the site on my own server.
The migration off Dreamhost went without a hitch. There's nothing special about my server - no customization, or anything - just an "out of the box" install of a current Linux distribution (Ubuntu).
I think there's something seriously wrong at Dreamhost. They are having LOTS of database problems that they simply WILL NOT investigate or even acknowledge. They're blaming PGV.
I think you should look for another host that's more responsive. There are lots of them out there at roughly the same cost as Dreamhost.
(end rant)
The "site unavailable" message is produced right at the start of the install.php script. The conditions for this are: (a) config.php indicates the site is configured and (b) a database connection cannot be established with the configured parameters.
Clearly, your hosting provider has changed something in your environment without telling you. Contact your service provider's tech support and verify that you have the correct database connection information, including the database host name if it's not "localhost", the database name, and the database userid and password.
Manually edit your site's config.php file. There's a $CONFIGURED variable near the bottom that you can set to FALSE so that the Install Wizard will let you configure or verify the database connection parameters.
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Just had chance to check emails and saw my webhost reply. Apparently something went awry with my dB password. He fixed it and my site is up. However, I don't know what version. Admin panel says "PhpGedView 4.3.0 svn" but it's been like that for a long time.
How do I confirm the PGV install is newest. All the files in the PGV directory are from the update.
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Mac:
Check the file "changelog.txt". Most important SVN changes are logged there. Unfortunately, and as already noted elsewhere, the SVN download does not preserve SVN version numbers. There's nothing we can do about that, unless you use an SVN client compatible with your MAC and then do an SVN checkout instead of the documented SVN download.
The procedure for doing the upgrade is roughly the same. Stephen can advise you on how to handle the "real" SVN repository.
Generally, it wouldn't hurt to download a fresh copy of the SVN version and simply upload it to the server, to replace whatever is already there. Just follow the instructions.
Note: I use TortoiseSVN on my Windows XP laptop. I don't have any MAC experience at all (can't afford a MAC).
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Mac
SmartSVN by SynTevo is probably the best (easiest to use and most complete) SVN client on the market. They have a PRO version, great if you are a developer, which is about $75, but the trial version installs as PRO for 30 days and then becomes a slightly crippled version if you don't pay - more than adequate. HOWEVER, you don't need an SVN client as there are not enough changes occurring in PGV to warrant the install.
The VERSION is hardcoded into the session.php file and appears on the ADMIN page. PGV 4.2.3 or 4.2.4 would show that reference, so it is likely you are running the correct files.
I mentioned you should check you U/N and P/W on your PGV DB as the likelihood of a problem. Most often, as Gerry mentioned, the INSTALL page comes up when the program can't reach the DB. His suggestion on removing/resetting the config.php configured setting to FALSE is the best approach as it will quickly show you whether the program is properly configured. -Stephen
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The strange part is I accessed my dB from the webpanel so didn't suspect my password. The Admin page changes to 4.3.0 state:
Version 4.3.0
- Fixed: Late-in-life CHR, BAPM, _BRTM events distort statistics (canajun2eh)
When I clicked the number, its date was Oct 12, 2011 so to me it appears I'm running most current version. I do recall Stephen mentioning version numbers aren't exact. That's okay so long as I have most current now.
Does it make sense to take the backup I have of my dB and upload as replacement to make sure my dB is in fact okay and PGV is happy? This would be the step I'd do if install had actually taken place.
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Mac
If it was only your access to the DB because of a password, then no - don't do anything (except download a backup copy to your local computer of your GEDCOM). Are your most recent changes showing in the family tree? That's the real clue. -Stephen
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Mac:
Yes, you're running the most recent version of PGV.
As Stephen says, you don't need to do anything. All things seem to be back to normal.
When you're making any significant changes to your database, it's wise to take a backup. I wouldn't bother with the "backup" provided by PGV. Use some other system such as phpmyadmin. I personally like mysqldumper.
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This is the command run four or more times daily on each site hosted by ancestortree.net (except the versioning is done when the backup is encrypted and moved to a remote location).
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I've not logged into my site for just over a month. Yesterday when I went to log in instead of being taken to the sign in page "/", saw the URL was …/install.php and page said "Site is currently unavailable".
I've emailed my webhost (Dreamhost) in case it's (unlikely) at their end but what happened and more important, how do I recover? My last "download" (not from BACKUP) was from Oct when I was last in.
Mac
Perhaps the host changed your server, or some aspect of the configuration. Perhaps they upgraded PHP or SQL.
Have you used PhpMyAdmin or a control panel to look at your database?
Have you stepped through the INSTALL, if possible. Have you examined your config.php file to make sure it is not corrupted?
TONS and TONS of things can affect your access. You may have to see if you can do a fresh installation and use the same DB. Be sure to SAVE a database dump before you attempt ANYTHING.
-Stephen
Stephen:
I just "exported" my dB from phpAdmin. There's content in config.php but no idea if it's okay.
Am I better to do new install or try walking through the install.php?
Also, if I do fresh install - should I stay with my current version or update to "most current"?. The changelog.txt file I have for my version 2010-12-26. The download called itself 4.2.4.
Mac
Don't mean to appear snide (well, maybe I do). Have you not been reading this forum for the last 8 months?
v4.2.4 is nearly ancient history. There are a bunch of little bugs that, added together, can be pretty serious.
Gerry bumps the DOWNLOAD THIS thread periodically as a strong reminder to => UPGRADE NOW <=
After you upgrade, you may also wish to do an install of webtrees via the PGV=>webtrees wizard. It leaves your PGV installation totally untouched, operating just as it did before using its settings to configure webtrees. I would wait for the release of the next version, 1.2.5, which should be within the next two weeks. 1.2.4, like PGV 4.2.4, needs a couple of patches to work with accented languages and it has a problem with GEDCOM downloads. Over 30 bugs and a thousand of so code changes have already been squashed since the recent release.
Stephen:
YES I do know there are updates. Yes, I'm guilty of not being up-to-date. That said, I wasn't sure whether upgrading with my current problem should be done, that's all. Will d/l the svn after I get the all okay at my webhost end. I have two backups of my database - I did export and my webhost monthly backup was just done as well (saved to my local drive).
webtrees doesn't support Research Assistant which I use a lot and have tons of current entries. To-Do tag doesn't meet my needs. Off top of my head, think that was biggest reason not to move over at the moment. I have data entry for a couple of thousand people and use RA to remind me to follow-up afterwards on certain unknowns.
Mac
No problem. Setup the new site using the same user/password, DB name, and prefix first. If for some reason it doesn't work, set up a new prefix (and/or DB) and do a totally fresh install. If you do the latter, you can move across any tables that you may need (users, news, messages, favorites and place-locations for GM) if that is an issue with a public site.
RA isn't really a module that will likely be supported again. It was developed by some of John's students as a class project, not actually completed, and doesn't work fully as intended. Doubtful it will be patched if/when PGV enters development again. There is nothing it does that can't be handled with a special SOUR, or with the webtrees Journal block and notes.
I used it, on occasion, and have found changing my work style easier than reviewing the RA notes. Most of the time I simply complete the line or project now, no longer putting it off, since I never got back around to it anyway ;-)) I dare say that if you have more than 25-50 RA reminders, you'll never get them done either. Very easy to create a special source and write lengthy notes, if needed, to describe what needs further research. These would then remain with the GEDCOM for posterity, should something happen to you, and RA doesn't. Set the RESN or privacy for that SOUR XREF to a role for managers and admins only and not even worry about users seeing them (if you don't wish them published). Just a hint from a heavy user who has long since happily left RA's issues behind. You just have to think creatively to devise a solution with a better result, like the one I propose instead of relying on a non-spec-compliant and buggy module.
I use RA for notes not the other stuff it does. I copy the primary name/ID# for the entry, attach applicable SOUR reference and copy in relevant text. Many times it's relatives mentioned in obits that I may/may not have accounted for. Until this batch of data entry is done, won't know if I have them all. Or it mentions people that, if I ever do come across them, I've made note of who to link them to. "Clutter" I don't want viewers to see. Although admittedly, I don't get repeat viewers as they find PGV too complicated.
Your proposal make work. I'll first get PGV up again first. Did a full new install using existing dB and prefix.
UPDATE: Finished upgrade. Went to my install that sits at …/install.php and it won't run. Cache cleared, history cleared in browser just to make sure :)
Mac:
(begin rant)
You're the third Dreamhost user I know of who has trouble with that host & PGV. Nobody else is reporting problems with PGV, and one of the users had so much trouble that I ended up hosting the site on my own server.
The migration off Dreamhost went without a hitch. There's nothing special about my server - no customization, or anything - just an "out of the box" install of a current Linux distribution (Ubuntu).
I think there's something seriously wrong at Dreamhost. They are having LOTS of database problems that they simply WILL NOT investigate or even acknowledge. They're blaming PGV.
I think you should look for another host that's more responsive. There are lots of them out there at roughly the same cost as Dreamhost.
(end rant)
The "site unavailable" message is produced right at the start of the install.php script. The conditions for this are: (a) config.php indicates the site is configured and (b) a database connection cannot be established with the configured parameters.
Clearly, your hosting provider has changed something in your environment without telling you. Contact your service provider's tech support and verify that you have the correct database connection information, including the database host name if it's not "localhost", the database name, and the database userid and password.
Manually edit your site's config.php file. There's a $CONFIGURED variable near the bottom that you can set to FALSE so that the Install Wizard will let you configure or verify the database connection parameters.
Just had chance to check emails and saw my webhost reply. Apparently something went awry with my dB password. He fixed it and my site is up. However, I don't know what version. Admin panel says "PhpGedView 4.3.0 svn" but it's been like that for a long time.
How do I confirm the PGV install is newest. All the files in the PGV directory are from the update.
Mac:
Check the file "changelog.txt". Most important SVN changes are logged there. Unfortunately, and as already noted elsewhere, the SVN download does not preserve SVN version numbers. There's nothing we can do about that, unless you use an SVN client compatible with your MAC and then do an SVN checkout instead of the documented SVN download.
The procedure for doing the upgrade is roughly the same. Stephen can advise you on how to handle the "real" SVN repository.
Generally, it wouldn't hurt to download a fresh copy of the SVN version and simply upload it to the server, to replace whatever is already there. Just follow the instructions.
Note: I use TortoiseSVN on my Windows XP laptop. I don't have any MAC experience at all (can't afford a MAC).
Mac
SmartSVN by SynTevo is probably the best (easiest to use and most complete) SVN client on the market. They have a PRO version, great if you are a developer, which is about $75, but the trial version installs as PRO for 30 days and then becomes a slightly crippled version if you don't pay - more than adequate. HOWEVER, you don't need an SVN client as there are not enough changes occurring in PGV to warrant the install.
The VERSION is hardcoded into the session.php file and appears on the ADMIN page. PGV 4.2.3 or 4.2.4 would show that reference, so it is likely you are running the correct files.
I mentioned you should check you U/N and P/W on your PGV DB as the likelihood of a problem. Most often, as Gerry mentioned, the INSTALL page comes up when the program can't reach the DB. His suggestion on removing/resetting the config.php configured setting to FALSE is the best approach as it will quickly show you whether the program is properly configured.
-Stephen
The strange part is I accessed my dB from the webpanel so didn't suspect my password. The Admin page changes to 4.3.0 state:
Version 4.3.0
- Fixed: Late-in-life CHR, BAPM, _BRTM events distort statistics (canajun2eh)
When I clicked the number, its date was Oct 12, 2011 so to me it appears I'm running most current version. I do recall Stephen mentioning version numbers aren't exact. That's okay so long as I have most current now.
Does it make sense to take the backup I have of my dB and upload as replacement to make sure my dB is in fact okay and PGV is happy? This would be the step I'd do if install had actually taken place.
Mac
If it was only your access to the DB because of a password, then no - don't do anything (except download a backup copy to your local computer of your GEDCOM). Are your most recent changes showing in the family tree? That's the real clue.
-Stephen
The highest number in pGV matches the last entry I made. The record matches. I have an entire backup of my PGV site and its databases.
Mac:
Yes, you're running the most recent version of PGV.
As Stephen says, you don't need to do anything. All things seem to be back to normal.
When you're making any significant changes to your database, it's wise to take a backup. I wouldn't bother with the "backup" provided by PGV. Use some other system such as phpmyadmin. I personally like mysqldumper.
Hi Mac,
Here's a recipe for backing up a db at most any *nix host with shell access, including Dreamhost:
1. ssh to your home folder, make a 'backup' folder if one isn't there
2. run this command, changing uname, pword, mysqyl.mydomain.com, dbname, and version:
> mysqldump -opt -user=uname -password=pword -host=mysql.mydomain.com dbname | gzip -9 > backup/dbname.version.sql.gz
This is the command run four or more times daily on each site hosted by ancestortree.net (except the versioning is done when the backup is encrypted and moved to a remote location).