Template Installation Problem - Failed loading XML file

[blessdesigns]

I wanted to install a custom made template on Joomla 1.7.

From the Extension Manager, I tried to upload the ZIP file and I keep getting this error message:

Code: Select all

Failed loading XML file
/Users/xxxx/Sites/xxxx/tmp/install_4e7038bc3139b/apac2/templateDetails.xml
XML: xmlParseEntityRef: no name
JInstaller: :Install: Cannot find Joomla XML setup file

I also tried copying the template directory to tmp/ and do a direct install from directory, and still I got the error message:

Code: Select all

Failed loading XML file
/Users/xxxx/Sites/xxxx/tmp/apac2/templateDetails.xml
XML: xmlParseEntityRef: no name
JInstaller: :Install: Cannot find Joomla XML setup file
Path does not have a valid package.

I checked all files and directory permissions, everything is ok. I checked for hidden temp files, nothing there all clean. I tried zipping from command line, just in case my Mac adds unwanted things there, still the same result.

I tried using the Discover feature. Still I got this error message:

Code: Select all

Failed loading XML file
/Users/xxxx/Sites/xxxx/templates/apac2/templateDetails.xml
XML: xmlParseEntityRef: no name

It seemed like the problem is with the XML file but I didn't know what to do with it. Somehow Joomla just seemed to have trouble reading the XML file for some reasons. I have checked the XML file for missing tags but it was all good.

Then by accident I found what caused the problem. I had an ampersand '&' in the template description.
Removed it, everything worked like magic.

One character managed to cause the entire system to fail miserably and cost me hours of frustration.

I just have to post this to save anyone struggling with the same problem the hours I already spent.

[boofka_99]

I want to say thanks for posting this!! Much appreciated!

I just had this problem (putting an ampersand in the description) and am amazed that one little thing would cause a problem!

[coalaweb]

Thanks I had the same issue one of my templates was installing fine and when I upgraded it I added 1.6 & 1.7 to the description and got the error! once I took out the & all was fine again.

[bornakke]

I as well wants to thank you. I have no idea how I should ever have guessed that a '&' in the author field would do so much harm

[JEmlay]

If you want to use an ampersand then make sure the XML contains:

&

[coalaweb]

If you want to use an ampersand then make sure the XML contains:

&

Very true! I read the comment below in a Joomla core file a while ago and have since made sure all my XML files use the &

<!-- Note that all & must be escaped to & for the file to be valid XML and be parsed by the installer -->

[maxelcat]

Thanks for this - was a slilly little thing that was driving me nuts!

[piggyslasher]

Thanks for this! Really! I wasted a lot of time cracking my head on this.

[cratos]

At last! Thanks mate.

[PrincessPower]

Still helpful! Thanks man!