Joomla! Forum - community, help and support

I tried to install Joomla 3.0 yesterday and received an internal server error.

Tested the Htaccess file
- Replaced it
- Renamed it
- Modified it

But had no luck. I did a test page to echo "test" and that page works but the index.php for Joomla simply does not work, not even when I emptied out its content and tried to echo a result.

Anyone has the fix to this?

Hi, I had the same problem. It's a file permission problem. Default file permission on the files in the installation is 664 and should be 644. Or I should say that on hostgator servers, the default file permissions need to be 755 for directories and 644 for files, otherwise you get the Internal Server Error.

I think they will need to update the 3.0 distribution package to fix this. Otherwise, a LOT of people are going to have problems with this.

If you have shell (ssh) access you can run the following commands to correct directory and file permissions. If you don't have shell access, call your host and ask them to change the permissions for you on all directories and files in the 3.0 directory.

Run the following commands in the Joomla 3.0 directory:

Change all files to 644: find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

Change or dirs to 755: find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;

Thanks for pointing out the problem, I have been having the same problem too.

Another way around this is to unzip the installation package locally then ftp the files to your server. Its a bit slow but it will probably work because if you are using a windows pc it won't transfer the file permissions, they should just be created on the server with the default permissions, ie 644 for files, 755 for directories.

pxforti wrote:...Default file permission on the files in the installation is 664 and should be 644....
I think they will need to update the 3.0 distribution package to fix this. Otherwise, a LOT of people are going to have problems with this.
...

Perhaps start a tracker for it ? http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/joomla ... er_id=8103

Hi i have installed from Softaculous from my CPanel enabled Hosting no problem to Install and Working fine, But earlier i have tried to upload Package and Extract method its getting 500 error... working site : http://linkwire.in

Thanks

pxforti is right. Here's how I fixed it in 10 mins and got going on the installation screens on a Hostgator account.

1. Uploaded Joomla 3.0 ZIP package using the Cpanel File Manager
2. Extracted files
3. Contacted Hostgator Support and had them run the following commands mentioned by pxforti

find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

and..

find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;

4. This got me to the "Your host needs to use PHP 5.3.1 or higher to run this version of Joomla!" screen when I refreshed my URL in a browser.

5. Opened FTP client - Added the following to the .htaccess file:

# Use PHP 5.3
AddType application/x-httpd-php53 .php

6. Refreshed and VIOLA! Good to go! Continued with installation!

Here's a screencast -->> http://screencast.com/t/0rybgBVkatCv

From Hostgaotr Support Site:
We currently have 5.3.10 (or higher) installed on all servers. A handler for PHP 5.3 is added to our shared and reseller servers for those who wish to utilize it. In order to utilize this handler, you will need to add the following code to your .htaccess file:

hey fledgling...it worked for me and others just fine...why don't you drop some screenshots or something that may help us help you.

techgs wrote:Nope, it does not help... Tried everything from scratch...still no avail.

Given your other posts and the fact that you are using a different server set up to begin with might suggest that jumping in here is not really helpful!

@all Please run the Forum Post Assistant to provide the information to help us try and resolve the issue.
Please follow the instructions in the post and the program pack closely.

mtrimble wrote:hey fledgling...it worked for me and others just fine...why don't you drop some screenshots or something that may help us help you.

Please remember that not all hosts allow this facility or even have 5.3 available on their servers, so it will not always be a "one size fits all" solution.

I also could not install Joomla 3.0. It did not give me any error message. Then I tried installing it with Akeeba Kickstart and it installed perfectly.

https://www.akeebabackup.com/download/a ... 3-5-2.html

Give it a try.

Thanks,
Cardin

There are differences for Hostgator depending on what plan you have .. the solutions for DEDICATED Server Plan we own at Hostgator needs a dual system which can be asked at support(at)hostgator.com.

The Dual system for Dedicated Server has many advantages as it runs php 5.2.x and 5.3.1.X , this is usefull as per example ...80 % of our Customers runs joomla 1.7 , 2.5 with php 5.2.X , the rest of 20 % needs 5.3.1.x so this is for us and for the most joomla users running on Dedicated Servers the best solution....you can find more info here https://support.hostgator.com/articles/ ... re/php-5-3 , be aware to specify Dual php system, otherwise apache server will only run after upgrade 5.3.1.x version of php and you maybe lost your websites running before on 5.2.x... and here are how it have to look

root@hos [/home/maindomainservername/public_html]# /opt/php53/bin/php --version PHP 5.3.16 (cli) (built: Sep 3 2012 11:40:13) Copyright (c) 1997-2012 The PHP Group Zend Engine v2.3.0, Copyright (c) 1998-2012 Zend Technologies root@hos [/home/maindomainservername/public_html]# /usr/bin/php --version PHP 5.2.9 (cgi-fcgi) (built: Jul 21 2012 15:18:44) Copyright (c) 1997-2009 The PHP Group Zend Engine v2.2.0, Copyright (c) 1998-2009 Zend Technologies with the ionCube PHP Loader v4.0.12, Copyright (c) 2002-2011, by ionCube Ltd., and with Zend Optimizer v3.3.9, Copyright (c) 1998-2009, by Zend Technologies

fcoulter wrote:Thanks for pointing out the problem, I have been having the same problem too.

Another way around this is to unzip the installation package locally then ftp the files to your server. Its a bit slow but it will probably work because if you are using a windows pc it won't transfer the file permissions, they should just be created on the server with the default permissions, ie 644 for files, 755 for directories.

This solution worked fine for me. It took a little longer but it saved the trouble of changing all of the permissions. Probably the appropriate solution for anyone who is either unwilling or unable to change the file permissions themselves.

Perhaps Joomla should not set file Permissions and just let the server use it's default Permissions ?

The above solution by pxforti is for HOSTGATOR hosting accounts ONLY - as he mentioned and I spoke to as well.

If you're using another host the solution may differ.

fcoulter's solution is the best. Unzip on your local drive, then re-zip and upload to server. Boom! You're done. Fixed the problem for me. The entire process -not counting the upload to server- took about 30 seconds.

Thanks for the tips... I just up loaded and change permissions as said pxforti with FileZilla, it take time but it works...!!!

Remember that Joomla 3.0 is intended primarily for experienced users, developers, and advanced early adopters.

If you are just testing/learning about the software then fine, but you should not be looking to develop new sites from scratch with it especially this early in its release cycle (within 2 weeks) there are a lot of issues that have already been identified that will make the task not quite impossible but extremely laborious.

If you doubt your experience or knowledge then you should stick to the LTS currently 2.5 and not touch STS releases such as 3.0.x to 3.4.x. and to be honest if you are asking about how to change file permissions you do fall in this bracket.

Just unzip the files locally, and then zip the files and folders.
Upload the new zip file to the server and unpack, problem solved here


Bjorn

I am on a shared server w/o shell but was able to change just the directory permissions to 755 in the file explorer and the installation worked after that; the files were still 664 and would have been tedious to change via that method. Hope that helps somebody..

kp_martin wrote:I am on a shared server w/o shell but was able to change just the directory permissions to 755 in the file explorer and the installation worked after that; the files were still 664 and would have been tedious to change via that method. Hope that helps somebody..

There would/should have been an option to apply the appropriate settings (cascade these) to files and directories within those you changed.
Use an FTP client such as FileZilla Select all the directories in the site_root/ and rightclick and select File Permissions, or WinSCP do the same except select Properties.

If however you don't already know how to change permissions then you should question whether you should even be installing Joomla 3.0 on a remote host as you appear not to be experienced users/advanced adopters, or developers.

If all you want to do is see what Joomla 3.0 offers but without risk then install it on a localhost.

Please read the Announcements as these provide more detail on this.

humvee wrote:If however you don't already know how to change permissions then you should question whether you should even be installing Joomla 3.0 on a remote host as you appear not to be experienced users/advanced adopters, or developers.

Seriously - get over it man. Your continuing comments about who is skilled and who is not are truly annoying. Regardless of each of our respective skill levels and regardless of the Joomla release notes, we Joomla enthusiasts are going to play with Joomla 3 no matter what. It is a shiny new toy. This thread was started because the download package is riddled with permission errors, not because we're trying something that is over our heads. You are generally very helpful out here, but I notice in this thread you keep warding off novice users. I don't know if I speak for anyone else - but it's kind of annoying. Just stop and think about it for a minute.

@iTD
Nothing wrong with inexperienced users experimenting with J3 on test sites. The problems arise when inexperienced users upgrade a live site when they don't understand what is happening.

Warning users not to use J3 on live sites is a good warning. If users want to upgrade their live site it is best to transfer it to localhost(or make a duplicate in a new folder to a different database) and experiment with it there.

Look through the different threads ... there are many inexperienced users who have ruined their sites. They have ruined their live sites because they do not back up their site and they upgrade live sites to J3.

All should see my post here as well: http://forum.joomla.org/viewtopic.php?f ... 5#p2912645

Leo

iTD wrote:Seriously - get over it man. Your continuing comments about who is skilled and who is not are truly annoying.

I like to remind you that your tone setting in your language is not in style with our forum etiquette. Andy Wallace is a highly respected Member/Moderator of this community and you should show some respect instead of making those kind of disrespectful remarks.

Andy is 100 % right. This 'shining new toy' is full of bugs and we are all working hard on it to improve it so warnings to new and inexperienced users are very much justified!

So a good thing would be to contribute to Joomla instead of barking around? We need Testers, coders, writers for docs, name it....

Be kindly invited to positively contribute?

Leo

@iTD
The warnings are there with the release notes and in the articles that have been published so far, yet despite that people still keep making the same mistakes.

If we were to sit back and just say "yeah, Joomla 3.0 is ready for everyone now" no matter what they are capable of, then these forums will be strewn with users whose sites are stuffed. The only way it seems to get the message over is to keep repeating it so sorry if you don't like it but we have greater concerns than just the odd individual.

As for your comments about "riddled with permission errors" if you choose not to be more specific and/or report those errors in a proper and timely fashion they are not going to get rectified.

Of course, if however you had done what experienced users,and developers do and checked the JoomlaCode CMS Bug Tracker you would know that the issue was already highlighted and rectified ready for the 3.0.1 release.

Sometimes the simplest errors can arise and/or get overlooked when people are working together to get a release out to the waiting audience on time, as would seem to be the case in this regard.

Rectifying it IS simple if you know what you are doing or read and research the relevant documentation (as most of us have had to do to gain our knowledge) instead of coming here and whining about it! The trouble is people reach too far ahead of themselves and it is then the forums and volunteers who have to make the same solutions available time and again (particularly when people don't bother using search on the forums or use Google if the forum search is unavailable).

I dislike it when forums go this direction and apologize in advance for posting; i usually don't respond. Thanks iTD for your support and comments; the powers that be obviously don't agree... In my defense, I wrongly posted what I thought a slightly simpler solution to the OPs problem. In all respect, I was flamed and offended by the highly regarded hummer guy. This is obviously an elitist forum that doesn't want newbies like me (I've only used Joomla for 3+ yrs and have a working knowledge of linux, php etc. & certainly know how to change perms btw) to post but would rather denigrate us (me at least). I could detail the errors in his remark (response?) but will forgo that discourse. I'll avoid this forum, to your pleasure, in the future. Maybe you should make it private (I didn't realize it was a developers thread) and avoid our posts; or change your attitudes and actually HELP SOMEONE with a gentile spirit. Bye bye (delete me but please read first).
kevin

kp_martin wrote:... Maybe you should make it private and avoid our posts; or change your attitudes and actually HELP SOMEONE with a gentile spirit that is open source. ...

If you bothered to look at the many posts on this board you will see a lot of help is given. The problems occur when inexperienced users make silly mistakes ... the most common mistake at the moment is to install J3 when it is not suitable for the user that installs it. And a lot of time is being spent on helping users who have broke their live site by upgrading to an experimental version of Joomla.

To say to the inexperienced user yes go ahead and use J3 for a live site ... would be as responsible as giving an alcoholic a bottle of whiskey.

Your post was misleading as to your experience ... it lacked the detail of Recursively applying the file permissions. And combined with the fact it was your first post ... it indicated you had little experience. Hence the reiteration that J3 is for developers and experienced users.

Had your post been more informative then it is unlikely you would have been mistaken for an inexperienced user.

Ok, point well taken. I am installing a virgin 3.0 on a server to experiment. I've been using Joomla since 1.5. Do I need to precede each post with that statement? Seems dumb and not necessary. I agree the docs make it clear enough, even overly so, to NOT upgrade a working site. Geeze, that would be dumber than judging a posters knowledge level by the number of posts on a particular forum! LOL I'll make sure to post a bunch of BS to get my count up before asking or proposing something serious on this forum (I usually lurk for a long time) or just relegate myself to the newbie ranks which bothers me in the least. Haha, I recall when I was a ircop and skeptical of every new member and ready for WAR... Thought those days were history... hahaha

When I saw your post "I am on a shared server w/o shell " and you didn't mention ftp I wondered whether you were a newbie who didn't know that some packages have ftp access without shell access. Or if you were confusing shell access with ftp. Or if you were a newbie who was using free Hosting that has ftp access and not shell ... and thought not used shared Hosting with both.

" I agree the docs make it clear enough, even overly so, to NOT upgrade a working site. Geeze, that would be dumber than judging a posters knowledge level by the number of posts on a particular forum!"
It isn't a matter of judging the user's level by their number posts but it a matter of trying to asses the level of their knowledge. And that is difficult when the first post is two sentences.

And yes there are many users who ignore the warning and break a live site. Just as there are those who set the chmod 777 ... instead of making sure the server is configured properly. And just the same as people who think their hacked site can be cured simply by deleting one file. Oh and don't forget the users who think cms ='create magical sites' ... and are surprised that they can not create/edit Template css files easily.

So forgive us if we ere on the side of caution when a user's first post is only 2 sentences.

@kp_martin: Thank you very much for your post on the access rights on folders only. I understood what you were saying after the first time I read it. Glad to see my understanding of the English grammar is improving that quickly.

In another post I requested information on the rediculous situation that group rights cause a 500 server error. Yours is the first one that actually provides some. Why are you saying you wrongly posted a simpler solution? ARe you taking it back? I hope not, please confirm that your statement still holds.

Maybe the 3.0 section here is missing a board for stupid mistakes. Moderators should relocate the posts to that board so we are not bothered with the education of those posters. When you disagree on the relocation of your post you should request politely to undo that transfer. Moderators are human beings and make mistakes.

None of our comments - well certainly not mine - are intended in any way as elitist or rude as I am now being accused.

The point of the comments is to stop people destroying their existing sites or getting into major problems thinking that Joomla 3.0 is ready to go ahead and create sites the same as they do for 2.5 or 1.5.

If the messages come across as blunt then they will give the right warning.

No one is saying don't try Joomla 3.0, but if you do, then expect there to be problems in the early days weeks / versions and don't always expect the same level of answers that come with established versions such as 1.5 or 2.5 as often the issues will be ones that even the developers had not expected or accounted for.

No one is saying don't try Joomla on development/localhost servers - in fact that is the recommendation.

If you choose to use the 3.0 version then you must expect issues and then research them accordingly on the Bug Tracker, bug forums etc.

If you choose to use the 3.0 version make sure your server is properly configured including all the settings that were previously marked as "well it will still work but there might be issues" things such as Magic Quotes will cause issues.

However when the questions arise about how to change file and directory permissions or how to change settings for the server php.ini, it does raise concerns as to whether an individual does have the necessary experience to be using the Joomla 3.x.x releases at this current point in time.

This has nothing to do with being elitist and everything to do with being practical and realistic and if someone takes offence at having those limitations pointed out to them, and the reasons for it, there is not too much that can be done about that.

We are trying to identify and work to resolve the major issues that are arising with a significant major version release of Joomla so that everyone can use the software easily in the future.

If you have any doubts then please stick with 2.5 and wait for 3.5 when all these new issues will doubtless have been resolved.

Also, remember that these forums are where the messages are passed on we don't necessarily write the messages in the first place, as in:
⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ "Don't shoot the messenger!"! ⇐ ⇐ ⇐ ⇐ ⇐ ⇐ ⇐ ⇐