Topic: SP Install failure

[SimianSteam]

Hi, everyone!

So, I was having major issues with our forum so I decided to do a completely clean install. During this time I also moved my forum off the root directory into a subdirectory (/forum). The only things that remained the same between both installs are the Database (imported into a new database) and the custom theme.

SP was second plugin I tested, after SMFPacks SEO Pro. Before I attempted the SimplePortal install I wiped the forum directory, restored it from a backup I made before the SEO install, and did the same with the database, so it should've been looking at a totally clean SMF install.

There were no errors listed on the install page.

After the install I encountered blank sections on the portal page, admin page, and many others. Here's an example:



As you can see, no error codes or anything, just blankness. I attempted to install to Core theme only, my custom theme only, both... Always get the same thing.

I'd appreciate any help in getting this working as my entire forum structure is based around SP.

Thank you!

[Chen Zhen]

Were there any flagged installation errors for Simple Portal?
Did you try uninstalling the SMFPacks SEO Pro mod to see its url hack is somehow causing the issue?
 

[SimianSteam]

Were there any flagged installation errors for Simple Portal?
Did you try uninstalling the SMFPacks SEO Pro mod to see its url hack is somehow causing the issue?

No flagged errors, and SMFPacks SEO was completely eradicated. I backed up the forum directory and database prior to installing it, tested it, and then wiped the directory and database completely and restored the backups.

[Chen Zhen]

SimianSteam,

  Restoring the database backup I understand but why would you copy the backup files and folders back to the directory again? This would just put any file issues back again instead of fixing the problem.

I will give you a procedure that will render your mods uninstalled but leave your database intact:

• Use the SMF Large Upgrade Package  <-  Instructions
• Prior to installing any mods anew use the Hooks Removal Tool
• Install mods, themes and smiley packs anew

  The SMF Large Upgrade Package will put your files back to their default state and the Hooks Removal Tool will ensure that no rogue modification hooks are in the database. After those 2 steps you can install all your mods anew whereas I suggest installing Simple Portal first and testing it to ensure there are no issues.

Regards.

[SimianSteam]

SimianSteam,

  Restoring the database backup I understand but why would you copy the backup files and folders back to the directory again? This would just put any file issues back again instead of fixing the problem.

I will give you a procedure that will render your mods uninstalled but leave your database intact:

• Use the SMF Large Upgrade Package  <-  Instructions
• Prior to installing any mods anew use the Hooks Removal Tool
• Install mods, themes and smiley packs anew

  The SMF Large Upgrade Package will put your files back to their default state and the Hooks Removal Tool will ensure that no rogue modification hooks are in the database. After those 2 steps you can install all your mods anew whereas I suggest installing Simple Portal first and testing it to ensure there are no issues.

Regards.

What? It's the backup from BEFORE I installed the mods. The clean install. It's just easier.

To try to clarify, here's what I did:

Installed SMF.

Imported Database.

Installed custom theme.

Backed everything up.

That last one is the backup I've been restoring to.

I'll give the Upgrade package/Hooks removal a shot later on tonight. Thank you!

[SimianSteam]

Ok, here's what I did:

I was having issues with my test forum, so I set up a whole separate server for it. Now there's no way that repair_settings can do what it was doing, and change paths across the entire server.

I uploaded the backup I had been working with to the new server, then made a new database and imported my backup into it.

Ran the SMF Large Upgrade Package

Ran SMF_Remove_Hooks.php

Verified that the forum was working as it should.

Installed SimplePortal.

And I still have the same problem. It's wiped the forum below the menu bar.

The problem doesn't seem to be in the database. I got it back up and running simply by erasing the forum directory and restoring all the files from a backup I made just before I attempted the SP install.

[Chen Zhen]

Are you able to navigate to the admin section without any issue while Simple Portal is installed?
The only thing I can think of is that you have a top block that is possibly causing a die() command to be initiated or something similar.

When you uninstall/install Simple Portal your older block data will remain and since you are using your original db a block causing an issue will always be there until you disable/delete/fix it.

Install Simple Portal again and disable blocks one by one until you find the culprit. Since you say it stops everything just below the forum menu it may be a header or top block causing the issue.

[SimianSteam]

Crap. You may be right. Top block was SMFPacks Activity Stream Pro, and it was giving me problems. I'll give it a shot.

[AngelinaBelle]

How did that go?

[SimianSteam]

Worked. It was a little nail-biting manually editing the database like that, but I'm back up with SP running fine. Now on to my other list of 1000 things to do... Sigh.

Thanks for all the help!

[AngelinaBelle]

Yep -- that can be scary sometimes.
I'm glad you fixed it!  I'll mark this solved.