I am completly new. HELP ME PLEASE!!

[ezboard]

I STILL NEED HELP!!!

I need help. I just downloaded and unzipped PHBB (from phpbb.com), and unzipped the .ZIP file it gave me, but I don't know the first thing about setting this up on my web site. I don't have ANY money and I only have a text editor. PLEASE HELP. I keep hearing things like "you need to use apache" and stuff in order to make the message board work on my site. Well, WHAT IS AN APACHE?? HOW DOES IT WORK?? Unless it is 100% FREE, I can't get or use it, I am very poor. Please help me! I beg of you!

[stuart]

Hi,

First you need to see if your host supports PHP. Apache is the most popular server software that runs on unix/linux based systems. You should'nt need to worry about that.

All you should need to do is unload your zip file, unzip it on your server, then run the setup file. You may need to create a MySQL DB. the best way to do all this really depends on your host and what tools they offer you.

Best of luck,
Stuart

[ezboard]

Ok, let's assume for a moment that I have a VERY OLD peice of (censored) computer, and that I can't use much more software then it takes to get on the internet, let alone having no idea what you're talking about. Let's also run the assumption that the only thing I have ever used to edit my web site is windows notepad and the basic HTML file uploader CGI page they give for those of us who can't use FTP programs. I ran through the Apache site, and it was pure BULL-(censored), I couldn't understand a word of it, it would have been so much easier if they gave me an executable file to run, I could go offline, work on my PHP pages, then upload them, but NOOOOOO...
Anywho, I created the directores manually myself, just like they appeared on my harddrive, and uploaded all the PHP files for my messageboard. Now the problem is, WHAT NOW? The closest thing I learned is that you need an HTML and BODY tag before the PHP command when adding codes manually in a text editor.
Is there any links you can give me about altering all this stuff in a text editor, or in the CGI editor the site lets me use? Anything BUT software? That would be a real big help. I don't even know what the F-(censored) kind of software you're talking about. I use www.hostultra.com to host stuff. Now, I got an account with them and uploaded all these blank fresh PHP files up to it. I need links. Please, I beg of you. I'm 100% new at this.

PS, the server does indeed allow PHP extention files to be ran from it. that's no problem, their httaccess files are better then the one I was coming up with too.

[stuart]

Did you create a MySQL database? you can't run phpBB without a database on your server!!!

I cannot give you any other answers because you did'nt ask any specific questions. I suggest you follow the phpBB installation instructions and if you get stuck with any parts - post your question.

Sorry I cannot help anymore than that at the momment, I dont know exactly what problems you are having.

[ezboard]

I didn't create the database, sorry. But the test PHP file echoing an HTML page worked just great. I don't even know how to create one. *sigh*

I'll go back to the PHBB site and start from scratch.

[ezboard]

Ok, here is a question: HOW THE F-(censored) CAN I CREATE A MYSQL DATABASE??
In terms I can understand, not the gibberish the mysql web site gave me. I don't understand anything about shell commands or whatever. How can I simply use the stupid thing?!?!?! IN SIMPLE TERMS???

[ezboard]

*waits for a reply* Hello???!!!

I downloaded some kind of MySQL software thing, and it has a zillion functions, but I do not understand a single one of them. :( What do I do? How can I get it to work???

I am assuming you want this on the internet, right? Not on your home computer. If you want a home setup for development purposes, you would have to worry about installing PHP, Apache, and MySQL. Or use something like NuSphere Technology Platform. I am assuming you want this on the internet.

First, you must have a host that supports both PHP and gives you a database, such as MySQL. You cannot install either one of them, they must already be running at the web host. Same with Apache, but it would be hard to find a site with PHP and MySQL that wasn't running Apache. Your host will give you the database parameters. Seach for "free website PHP MySQL" or something like that. There are companies that offer free sites like this. I can't name them 'cause that would be "SPAMMING", but you can find them.

After uploading the folder "phpBB2" and all its contents to your site, go to http://yoursite/phpBB2/install/install.php . You will see the install page.

[ezboard]

o_0
A bit passive-aggressive, aren't we..?
I admit that I may be a bit aggressive, but you're sneaky, I don't care if you spam or not, as you can see, I am completly new to this place, and after I have the information I need, the webmaster or an administrator can ban or delete me for all I care, to free up web space on the server this place is on.
Besides, if you posted links relevalt to this discussion, by law, it is indeed NOT considered spamming, it is helping.

So I'm supposed to look at the install.PHP page? But I haven't edited it to load the PHP AS PHP yet! O_O I'll be back then. Thanks for replying.

[ezboard]

:angry: :angry: :angry:

Ok, I did as you told me to, and now, I get this!

Warning: main(): Unable to access ./../db/mysql.php in /data/hosted/morph/messageboard/includes/db.php on line 31

Warning: main(./../db/mysql.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /data/hosted/morph/messageboard/includes/db.php on line 31

Warning: main(): Failed opening './../db/mysql.php' for inclusion (include_path='./') in /data/hosted/morph/messageboard/includes/db.php on line 31

Fatal error: Cannot instantiate non-existent class: sql_db in /data/hosted/morph/messageboard/includes/db.php on line 60

What does this mean?
First, I got this before I got the errors:

Database Server Hostname / DSN: localhost
Your Database Name:
Database Username:
Database Password:
Prefix for tables in database:

I don't know what to enter in that! :( :( PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP ME.