initial server requirements/server testing

[mxquattro]

Hi there. Im VERY new to this so I apologize in advance if this is a stupid quesiton. I browsed the faq's and the forums for a while but cant quite seem to find what Im looking for.

I wanted to make a board and Ive been memebers of boards that use vbulletin so I decided to go that route since I like it.
I installed a server (windows 2003 Server), and today installed the latest php and mysql. I think. Again, Im a unix/cisco person not an MS/php/sql person!

Everything seemed to go according to plan, but I downloaded the vb_test.php script and now I have no idea in the world what to do with it.
How do I know my server is configured correctly? Php ok? Mysql ok? Im completely in the dark. If there were a doc out there that could walk me through it like I was 2 years old, it would be great

Thank you a ton for your help in advance.
bob

[Steve Machol]

You run it from your browser, i.e.,

http://www.yoursite.com/vb_test.php

[Scott MacVicar]

If you are more of a unix person consider running vBulletin on a unix platform with php / mysql.

You drop the script into the location that IIS wants your documents to go and then just execute it via the browser as Steve has said.

[mxquattro]

Thanks steve.. I guess I failed miserably somewhere then. When I throw it into my document root directory I get the generic:
he page cannot be found

The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Please try the following:

• Make sure that the Web site address displayed in the address bar of your browser is spelled and formatted correctly.
• If you reached this page by clicking a link, contact the Web site administrator to alert them that the link is incorrectly formatted.
• Click the Back button to try another link.

HTTP Error 404 - File or directory not found.
Internet Information Services (IIS)


Any ideas where to look next?


As for just doing it on unix, unfortunately I cant in this case, it has to be IIS due to the fact that the people supporting it are not unix literate at all. Besides it will force me to learn more windows stuff

[Scott MacVicar]

Have a quick read on http://www.iis-resources.com/modules...php?storyid=96

I think AWS posted a tutorial somewhere too.

[mxquattro]

Ahhhh!

Thanks Scott, great! Im slowly getting there. Looks like I have IIS running OK and PHP for the most part which is good.

When I run the vb_test.php in netscape I get the frame but then some strange code underneath it. When I run it in IE, it displays correctly but none of the mysql fields are filled in which makes sense because I didnt do anything with mysql yet.

In either browser though, the logo on the top left does not appear. (not sure if it matters or not)
Now Ill get on with configuring mysql... Ill scour this site to see if there are any good how-to's to make it play nice with vb

[Scott MacVicar]

There appears to be a problem with the server the test script images are on, it will get looked at tomorrow morning when the person with access can check.

[mxquattro]

oh ok its not me then Thanks.

Also, I went throught the vbulletin docs, and it does show how to create a mysql user etc, however it is for unix, not windows. I cant seem to find out how to set up mysql for windows to get it ready for vbulletin anywhere. Have a link handy?

Id really love to get this squared away so I can download vbulletin and start playing with it.
Thanks!
bob

[Scott MacVicar]

You probably want the Windows Administrator for MySQL, most people dont have access for that

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/administrator/1.1.html

The Setting up a MySQL user item on vBulletin applies to Windows too but you do it through a command prompt, and instead of /usr/local/mysql/bin/mysql its c:\mysql\bin\

I'll edit that shortly.

[Scott MacVicar]

Edited the documentation to include details on how to create a database from the Windows Command Prompt.

[mxquattro]

Got it thank you Just logged in with it, Ill poke around to see what it can do for me. Already added a new user 'php'... vb_test.php still fails though, so Ill keep reading

[Scott MacVicar]

How does it fail?

[mxquattro]

Well now that I went through your windows install, it passes everything! woo hoo!
One question though, in the install page it mentions I need to add the server info to config.php. I dont have that file... so I assumed you meant php.ini and I put those lines in there.
However when I rebooted to make sure all the services come up ok it had errors parsing php.ini at those lines
At least it passes now!
Before I go further I need to document what I have a little better, and understand a few things first. Then I can try out vbulletin and get that going. Thank you a ton for your help, Im sure you'll be hearing from me more

[Scott MacVicar]

config.php is the vBulletin install file when you've purchased a copy.

Remove what you added php.ini as it will cause errors.

If you document it all feel free to post it in the server configuration forum, I'm sure future customers would appreciate it.

[mxquattro]

Got it thanks. I sure will post there once I get it configured and running, thats a great idea.
I just went to purchase it but had 2 questions:

1) To debrand it, I really dont need to at this point, but if I decide later, can it be done without jumping through major hoops later?

2) Do I need to purchase the phone support now or can i get that later as well.

thanks!
bob