Can't run install.php

[eluxhoj]

I need some help just getting started with vbulletin. When I run install.php, I get the "Please enter your customer number" box. I enter the customer number and see the correct customer number and redirecting page. After that it pops the "Please enter you customer number" box back up.

Other info:
* box is a Dell Poweredge 2850 running WinServer 2003 SP2
* IIS 6.0
* Vbulletin version 3.6.8 with all patches installed
* MySQL 5.0.51 installed
* configured path with c:\php at the front (php install directory)
* added IUSR and IWAM with full control to c:\php
* checked, rechecked, rechecked and rechecked my php.ini file and put it in the php and windows directories
* added .php as an active extension to the IIS server
* added index.php to the default documents list for all the websites including the vbulletin one
* set the execute permissions on the website home directory to "scripts only"
* added .php as an application extension using php5isapi.dll and allowing all verbs under home directory > configuration
* added a registry key with the php install directory defined under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>PHP>IniFilePath
Not sure what else to try. Does anyone have more stuff I can look at? Thanks.

[Kerry-Anne]

Make sure that your browser is not blocking cookies. Cookies are required for the install and upgrade scripts.

You may also need to reupload all files as one or more files may not have uploaded correctly which can also cause this behaviour.

Also, you should not change the permissions of the vBulletin files and folders unless explicitly told to do so. Changing the permissions will cause vBulletin to not work correctly.

[hosting-talk]

If you're getting this error, make sure that you're actually entering in the right customer number for this download. One of the MOST dissapointing things about this software is that it ties in the customer number with the download in a pretty weak attempt to handle 'fraud'.

I say this is dissapointing, because I work for 5-10 individuals, all with different customer numbers, all whom have to be upgraded when it comes time to upgrade things. Talk about a HUGE pain in the tail end.

[Wayne Luke]

Actually entering the customer number is for security to prevent just anyone from accessing your install and upgrade scripts. It has absolutely nothing to do with preventing fraud.

[hosting-talk]

Actually entering the customer number is for security to prevent just anyone from accessing your install and upgrade scripts. It has absolutely nothing to do with preventing fraud.

So YOU (the developer) says.

Regardless of what it is, it is a MAJOR pain to have to deal with and completely unnecessary. There are more appropriate ways to address "preventing just anyone from accessing your install and upgrade scripts" that don't involve this much of a hassle.

[Kinneas]

So YOU (the developer) says.
What a confusing statement. Wayne (not a developer) has stated exactly what entering the customer number during the install/upgrade script is there for. Why did that even need a response? It's a fact.

Regardless of what it is, it is a MAJOR pain to have to deal with and completely unnecessary. There are more appropriate ways to address "preventing just anyone from accessing your install and upgrade scripts" that don't involve this much of a hassle.

Yeah it's a bit annoying, but I think you're making way too much of a deal over it. Then again, judging by your replies in the RC discussion thread, I'm guessing you're just looking for an argument half the time.

If you have any serious suggestions on how to improve the product, why not suggest them? Instead of looking for a fight.

[hosting-talk]

Wayne (not a developer)

Incorrect.

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/custompics/avatar/avatar868_5.gif (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/member.php?u=868) Wayne Luke (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/member.php?u=868) http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif
vBulletin Team


That says it all right there. Whether he works as a developer, support individual, sales, or whatever, he does, in fact WORK for the developer of the product, making him biased, and yes, speaking as the developer(s) of the product.


If you have any serious suggestions on how to improve the product, why not suggest them?

Why should I? VB doesn't listen to begin with. They don't take anyone into account but themselves here. This "protection" is certainly not for customers, just like the forced passwords and usernames they use aren't for "customer protection",they're for VB's protection.

[Kinneas]

Incorrect.



That says it all right there. Whether he works as a developer, support individual, sales, or whatever, he does, in fact WORK for the developer of the product, making him biased, and yes, speaking as the developer(s) of the product.


You're just being pedantic here. Referring to every Staff member collectively as the "developer" is just silly. I don't see how there can be any bias in stating a fact.

Why should I? VB doesn't listen to begin with. They don't take anyone into account but themselves here. This "protection" is certainly not for customers, just like the forced passwords and usernames they use aren't for "customer protection",they're for VB's protection.

Why should you? Well how about because you're clearly not happy with it. You're obviously more than happy to let your voice be heard if you're not happy about something...

Anyway, I'll stop here. I've Administered and Moderated enough forums to know when someone's just trolling and looking for a fight ;)

[Zachery]

Wayne is not a developer, nor does he represent the developers. The only people who do that are the Developers themselfs.


The reason you enter the customer number into that box is to prevent random third partys from running install/upgrade scripts that they shouldn't and badly altering your database.

If you have a better idea on how to do this the developers are always open to suggestions.

[hosting-talk]

If you have a better idea on how to do this the developers are always open to suggestions.

No they're not. If they were, they wouldn't be still using the same garbage method they've been using for years when it's not necessary at all. There are much more effective ways to validate permission to install or upgrade something.

The developers (and VB as a company in general) don't listen to customer feedback. They ignore it. If they were listening, then the same old same old wouldn't have gone on with multiple complaints, multiple issues. If they WERE listening, they wouldn't force password changes on users without request, and they certainly wouldn't treat customers like numbers , instead of people, quite literally.


Wayne is not a developer, nor does he represent the developers.


So, Wayne does not work for Vbulletin, or Jelsoft? If he does, then YES, he represents the developers, the product, and jelsoft as company, as do you. Thusly, yes, in that respect, Wayne, and yourself, are "developers" of the product. yes, that is a loose version of the word, but that is exactly how it is. YOU work for the company making the product, thusly you are the 'developers' of the product.

The purpose of any employee of the company is to SELL the company's product and hide the flaws of it. In this case, that is just what is being done here.

Regardless, this is going off the focus of what this thread was originally for. Check your customer #, make sure you entered the right one. Unfortunately, that's VB's false sense of security for you.

[eluxhoj]

I checked the customer number. I don't think that is it because the install kind of starts. It says "verifying customer number. Correct...redirecting", then it pops the install page back up with the box where you enter the customer number.

I went through everything again and found a problem with the Windows firewall. It has a conflict with the RRAS server that is running on that box. I have to fix that problem, reinstall MySQL and then try again. I guess that is what I will try for now. After I get that done, I will post again with the results. Thanks for all the input.

[Steve Machol]

No they're not. If they were, they wouldn't be still using the same garbage method they've been using for years when it's not necessary at all. There are much more effective ways to validate permission to install or upgrade something.

Honeslty you are just being argumentative for no constructive purpose. If you have a constructive suggetion then you should post it in the Suggestions forum. The Devs WILL read and consider it.