Simple Machines/1and1, New Guy Needs Help Starting Forum Options

[BobRoss]

Hello,

Let me start by saying I am new to web site design.

I am trying to start a forum using Simple Machines with my host 1and1. I am using smartftp.
I am not sure I know what I am doing. Where do I upload the files using smart ftp? I have been trying
to figure it out.

Here is what I have been doing.

First I log into smartftp
I click the folder for my website which is a long stream of letters.
I then unzip the zip file that has all the stuff for simple machines forum.
So then I highlight all the files and drag them over into the right side of smartftp screen it takes about 20 minutes.
Then nothing happens. in the main folder I have like 989 files and when I go to my site I dont see anything but and error

I dont know how to make an index.html file

If someone could PLEASE help me that would be great.

[bradoeoe]

in the zipped folder there should be a read first or a help or how to or something like that which will tell you how to install and to make and could you please give me the error?

[Frederiek]

Apparently, the SMF forum uses PHP and MySQL.
Does your hosting account support those? MySQL needs to be setup on the server. You can read about that at http://www.mysql.com/.

[BobRoss]

I need help trying to determine which folder to put the files from SMF into. I was on the SMF for a few hours last night but was unable to get it to work.

[Darin McGrew]

In what way does it not work?

As Frederiek asked, does your account support PHP and MySQL? Are they set up and properly configured on your server? You'll them before SMF will work, no matter where you put it.

[pandy]

It doesn't matter in which folder you put it as long as it accessible from the web. The typical setup is to create a folder named 'forums' placed directly in your web root folder (the one where all your HTML must go). That way the forum will get the URL http://example.com/forums/ .

You need to create a database and note down what name, username and password you give it. You do that from your control panel.

After that you run the installation file by calling it up in your browser. It'll walk you through the process.

But first of all, are you sure you do have MySQL and PHP? It's likely you have, just want to make sure. When you've figured that out you read all the documentation about how to set the forum up that SMF provides. THEN you install it.
http://docs.simplemachines.org/index.php?b....0;sort=subject

[BobRoss]

Ok thanks for the response I did set up mysql database and have the username and password and all the information for it.


here is a shot from the smartftp control panel




here is a shot from the 1and1 control panel



I have the mysql set up the highlighted box is the one my website is in I have website and each of the WSBs are websites the one highlighted is the one I am trying to get to work. But it falls under the name of my website which I dont understand.

I hope this helps.

This post has been edited by BobRoss: Nov 5 2008, 11:01 AM

[pandy]

Did you read http://docs.simplemachines.org/index.php?b....0;sort=subject ?

[BobRoss]

Yes I did. I am just having a problem figuring out which folder to place the files in so that it comes up in a browser so I can start the install process.

[pandy]

What are those three folders with the funky names? Have you created them or are they default folders that were already created when you moved in?

What's the folder named "index"?

[BobRoss]

Ok I just got a response back from 1and1 here is what they said

If you are not using the Website Builder, I would advised you to create
a new directory to where you will
going to upload or install the application. The wsb4112112302 is
intended for the Website Builder application.
If you already created a new folder you can then change the destination
of your domain to point to the directory.


I am still lost not the greatest with computers but hey I can fix just about anything on a car lol

This post has been edited by BobRoss: Nov 5 2008, 12:18 PM

[pandy]

Where do you put your HTML files? Haven't you uploaded any files before this?

[BobRoss]

no I have not the only thing I have done is try the wsb folders

[pandy]

OK. Open the 'index' folder and look what's inside.

[BobRoss]

Ok I did and it has the files from the SMF file that uploaded but I didnt upload them to that one I uploaded them to the wsb folder

[pandy]

Are there only files? No folders?

Because the SMF stuff should be about 10 files and about as many folders (with more files in them, of course). It looks like you've taken all the files out from their folders and uploaded them all to the same folder on the server. Can that be right?

[BobRoss]

well when I download the file from SMF I unzip it and here is what it looks like there are no folders in it



So I upload all the files using Smartftp and thats what it looks like

[pandy]

I'm afraid I have to insist!



You can delete all the SMF files from the server. You have to start over. But that will make it easier to find out where the web root folder is. I suspect it is the 'index' folder, but who knows.

[BobRoss]

i did. what I did was in the wsb folder I deleted all the old files so there was nothing left then I put all the smf in there.

[pandy]

What old files did you delete? I thought you didn't have any files there before this?

You can't have the SMF files like that since they are supposed to be arranged in folders. Delete them from the server. Then we'll find out where to put them.

You have to figure out yourself how to unzip in a way that preserves the folder structure. Did you drag all the files out from WinZip by any chance? Unzip properly to a folder somewhere.