Can't Access Forum

[hawkmtn]

Our forum at http://www.mtpca.com/phpBB3/ was first installed in 2009 and has been fine since then. Today, however, the forum can't be accessed. I thought it might be a problem with our hosting, so asked them for help. They saw nothing wrong, but thought perhaps the theme might be corrupted -- we've been using Slagg since 2009. Thought perhaps I could use a different theme, but since I can't access the Admin panel (or anything else on the bulletin board for that matter), can't figure out how to do that. We don't want to lose all the posts that have been made on the forum. Can anyone offer some help? Since I can't access the board, I'm not even sure what version we're using.

[KevC]

Odds on your hosts have done something like upgrade the server php version.

A white page is a server side issue. If you have a look in the hosting control panel you should find the error log that will give a clue. While you're there have a look at the php version number. If it's not there you can upload a copy of the /install folder and go to yoursite.com/phpBB3/install/phpinfo.php and it'll say at the top of the screen.

[hawkmtn]

The error log for that website gives me lines like this:
[Thu Oct 13 10:37:47 2016] [error] [client 159.203.125.26] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/404.shtml, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpBB3/
[Thu Oct 13 10:37:47 2016] [error] [client 159.203.125.26] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/favicon.ico, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpBB3/

On the PhpAdmin it says for Database server:
Server: Localhost via UNIX socket
Server type: MySQL
Server version: 5.5.52-cll - MySQL Community Server (GPL)
Protocol version: 10
User: te2wu056@localhost
Server charset: UTF-8 Unicode (utf8)

For webserver, it says:
cpsrvd 11.58.0.31
Database client version: libmysql - 5.1.73
PHP extension: mysqli

For PhpMyAdmin, it says:
Version information: 4.0.10.14
Documentation
Wiki
Official Homepage
Contribute
Get support
List of changes

Thanks for helping me!

[KevC]

The error log for that website gives me lines like this:

Those two are quite normal.
Anything with a bit more server related information?

Also, what version of phpBB are you running?
None of that info says what version of php is running.

[hawkmtn]

Found these:
[Thu Oct 13 10:21:48 2016] [error] [client 91.200.12.106] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/404.shtml, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=437
[Thu Oct 13 10:21:48 2016] [error] [client 91.200.12.106] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/phpbb3, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=437
[Thu Oct 13 10:18:14 2016] [error] [client 91.200.12.141] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/404.shtml, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=437
[Thu Oct 13 10:18:14 2016] [error] [client 91.200.12.141] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/phpbb3, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=437

and
[Thu Oct 13 10:35:32 2016] [error] [client 91.200.12.141] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/404.shtml, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=437
[Thu Oct 13 10:35:32 2016] [error] [client 91.200.12.141] File does not exist: /home/te2wu056/public_html/phpbb3, referer: http://www.mtpca.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=437

How can I tell which version I'm using?

[KevC]

Your php version should be in the server control panel somewhere, or upload an install folder as I mentioned.

The phpBB version will be in the styles/prosilver/style.cfg file if you don't happen to know it.

Not sure what that referrer stuff is about as the address for that is /phpbb3 and your linked one in the first post is /phpBB3

[hawkmtn]

Looked at the style.cfg file: 2007
version = 3.0.5

[hawkmtn]

Looked at the Slagg style.cfg (which is the theme used on the bb). It says:
2009 StylerBB.net
version = 1.0.1

[KevC]

That's a seriously old version, 3.0.5.
I still reckon your hosts have updated php. You need to find that in the control panel or upload /install and navigate to that file I said and it'll tell you at the top of the screen.
Or ask your hosts.

[hawkmtn]

By following your directions for the install folder: PHP Version 5.4.45
http://mtpca.com/phpBB3/install/phpinfo.php

[KevC]

I think that's your problem.
If I remember rightly you need to be running at least 3.0.8 to use php5.4
Your hosts probably updated php and didn't tell you. You should check that and then look in to updating.

[hawkmtn]

I hate to sound so stupid, but how would I go about updating when I can't access the forum?

[KevC]

You don't need to get to it to do that. It's all done via FTP.

Do you have any MODs installed?

[hawkmtn]

I don't think so. The only thing we did (with help from this forum back in 2009) was make a clickable link on the header to reach the homepage, and make the width narrower.

[KevC]

1. Backup all board files and the database.
2. Download the full package.
3. Unzip to your desktop and open the phpBB3 folder.
4. Remove (delete) the config.php file, and the /images and /files folders from the package.
5. Via FTP or SSH upload the remaining files and folders to the root of your board installation on the server overwriting the existing files.
6. In your browser go to http://www.example.com/yourforum/instal ... update.php
7. Let that run to completion.
8. Via FTP or SSH delete the /install folder from the root of your board installation.
9. Done.

You now have a new up to date board containing all your users and posts.

Only use a good FTP or SSH client, such as FileZilla, to transfer the files. (File transfer utilities provided in host control panels can cause problems.)

Please note: Any 3rd party style (styles other than prosilver and subsilver2) will also require updating, style and board versions must match.

It's also worth noting that support for 3.0 will finish at the end of this year so you might want to think about going to 3.1 once it's working again.