Blank import screen

[Dean Roddey]

Fresh import, no previous import, just importing a phpBB2 into a new install.

Source - phpBB2 - 2.0.13
Target - vBulletin 3.5.4
Platform - Windows Server 2003, IIS 6, PHP 5.1.4, MySQL client API version 5.1.17, MySQL and MySQLi extensions enabled.

Background

Everything is working fine, and I went ahead in the meantime and fully set up the board and all and people are using it with no problems. So everything is working as it should, and I assume that MySQL and PHP must be correctly installed and happy, I just can't get the import script to work. I'll be happy to toast the database and do a from scratch import if I can get it working. Only a small amount of new content has been created vs 20K posts from the previous system.

The Problem:

When I try to actually start the import, it asks for the customer number, then I get a blank white screen instead of the import screen. I know everything is where it should be. I can move the import directory and it fails to find the target file, so the files are in the right place. Since it gives me no real indication of what the problem might be, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to try to fix it. I've tried removing all the unused importers, leaving them in place, etc...

I saw one other post from someone who had seen a similar problem, but there wasn't really any resolution in that thread that I could make use of. The only suggesting was that the PHP files were bad, but I don't think that's the case. They weren't uploaded to the server, I just downloaded the Zip directly there to the server, unzipped them locally, made the required changes and then copied them over to their final destination inside the forum directory.

I've got the old content imported into a new MySQL database just fine. So the database is there and ready to go, and the importer init file is set up for the source and destination databases.

[Steve Machol]

The white pages are due to one of these causes:

1. You did not upload the vB files correctly. Reupload the vB non-image files and make sure you upload these in ASCII format and that you overwrite the ones on the server. Make sure you upload the Admin CP files to the admincp directory specified in your config.php file.

2. You have extra space or lines in your config.php file. Make sure there is no whitespace or extra lines in config.php either before the <?php or after the ?>.

3. Your PHP has magic_quotes_sybase turned on. You have to run this off. On *nix systems you can do this by creating an .htaccess file with this content and placing it in your main forum directory:

php_flag magic_quotes_sybase 0

[Dean Roddey]

I uploaded the files again, they were uploaded as ASCII, I watched them.

I do not have any spaces or lines before or after the PHP delimiters

I'm running MySQL on Windows, so I assume #3 isn't relevant.



Make sure you upload the Admin CP files to the admincp directory specified in your config.php file.


Not sure I understand that. The instructions indicate that the impex should be at the same level as the admincp, not within it. If I move them within it, it doesn't even get the login asking for the customer number.

As I said above, I get the request for the customer number, so I would assume they are in the right place. I don't see any instructions to load any other files into the admincp directory.

[Steve Machol]

This is almost certainly due to improply uploaded files. Delete all the Impex files and reupload.

[Dean Roddey]

I deleted all files and re-uploaded and I get the same results.

[Steve Machol]

Have you installed any hacks or plugins? I can't think of any other reason for this to happen if the files were uploaded correctly?

[Dean Roddey]

I just went back after my first post, deleted the database, and did a fresh install of the BB software, so I'm on a completely from scratch system.

Is there no kind of logging or diagnostic that can be turned on to get an understanding of what is failing?

[Steve Machol]

There is no logging of 'blank pages' that I know of. It really depends on the exact cause. You can try checking the server logs if you have access to them.

[Dean Roddey]

Which server logs are we talking about particularly? It's our own dedicated host so I have full access.

[Dean Roddey]

Just for funzies I tried moving it out 'standalone' and navigating straight to it, and got the same result, if that means anything.

[Steve Machol]

Sorry, I don't know which logs exactly. The server logs many things. You could try the Apache logs if you are running Apache.

[Dean Roddey]

I'm on IIS under Windows. There's nothing going to the event logs.

[Dean Roddey]

Does the imp/ex guy use any PHP extensions that the forum itself wouldn't use? Maybe I don't have some require PHP extension enabled.

[Steve Machol]

Impex has no special requirements. Fill out a support ticket at:

http://members.vbulletin.com/membersupport_contactform.php

Be sure to include the login info to your Admin CP, phpMyAdmin and FTP. Please also include a complete description of the problem.

[Jerry]

Does the imp/ex guy use any PHP extensions that the forum itself wouldn't use? Maybe I don't have some require PHP extension enabled.

No, it has the same requirements as vBulletin, though the more memory the better.

Delete all the folders in impex/system/ that you don't need, i.e. only leave the folder that is named after the source system you want to import from.

[Dean Roddey]

Delete all the folders in impex/system/ that you don't need, i.e. only leave the folder that is named after the source system you want to import from.


That is already the case. I've tried it both ways, and it doesn't make any difference.

[Jerry]

I have to replied to your support ticket.