Creating test forum issue

[mathforum]

I'm trying to get a test forum going on my site to play around with different things and not be afraid of taking the thing down with a syntax error. I'm following this guide (http://www.vbulletin.com/vbcms/content.php/225-Creating-A-Test-Site) and so far I've copied the entire site to a new folder called /dev14/.

Copied SQL database and renamed it to use on the new site.

I also went into the config.php file and disabled all plugins plus changed the cookie prefix. Tried turning on an .htaccess password protect on /dev14/.

Seems like it should be close to ready but when I try to view the folder I am redirected to my main site. No password prompt. Is vBSEO doing this maybe?

[ozzy47]

Did you update the URLs at AdminCP --> Settings --> Options --> Site Name / URL / Contact Details before doing the backup as the guide suggested?

[mathforum]

:(

Fail. What's my play?

[ozzy47]

Start back over from the beginning, and follow the instructions completely or update manually in the database after backing up (NOT RECOMMENDED)

[RichieBoy67]

Did you check the htaccess in the main directory?

[ozzy47]

Dud you check the htaccess in the main directory?

No that's not it, he did not follow the steps correctly, so any changes he makes on the test site, are going to take place on the live site, as the test site is still pointing to the live one, via the settings. :)

[RichieBoy67]

Oh I see. I mentioned it because he is using Vbseo and that could cause these types of things when doing a test site in a sub directory of a directory with a copy already installed.

[ozzy47]

Yeah that very well be a issue down the line, but the OP needs to set it up from the get go the right way first, then can worry about the vBSEO thing. :)

[RichieBoy67]

I don't know what steps he took other than what he mentioned but he did not mention changing the database info in the config. He mentioned that he disabled plug ins though.

## OP, If you still haven't fixed this I would be happy to finish it free of charge if it can be tonight with in the next hour or so. Will take only a few minutes if all the data is already moved.

[mathforum]

This is turning out to be harder than I thought.

I cleared out the first database with the wrong URL info then turned off my site, changed info, did mysql dump via SSH, changed info back and turned back on my main site.

I have this database now that I've listed in the dev site's config file but I still can't access the folder even! It's mysite.com/dev14 which goes to mysite.com.

What am I doing wrong?

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Oh I see. I mentioned it because he is using Vbseo and that could cause these types of things when doing a test site in a sub directory of a directory with a copy already installed.

I do have an active .htaccess in the main directory, full of vBSEO stuff. I also have an .htaccess for the dev folder/site with just a password prompt. I disabled all plugins so vBSEO wouldn't try to do something twice.

Still can't even reach my folder.

[RichieBoy67]

This is turning out to be harder than I thought.

I cleared out the first database with the wrong URL info then turned off my site, changed info, did mysql dump via SSH, changed info back and turned back on my main site.

I have this database now that I've listed in the dev site's config file but I still can't access the folder even! It's mysite.com/dev14 which goes to mysite.com.

What am I doing wrong?

ok, lets slow down a bit.

You copied your site files over to that directory?

You imported that dump to a new database and changed the config on the test site to match?

If you did the above and still not working then change your test site htaccess to 1.htaccess and try adding the forum path to the config in the test site to match the test site path. If you need to change the site path for the test site and cannot access the admincp you can go into the admincp settings in the new database and change the path there.

Also, turn off the password htaccess for now until we get it set and working..

I know Vbulletin lists one of the methods as changing the paths first. I never do that and always go into the database to do it so the main site isn't impacted. It should not matter though for this purpose.

To troubleshoot also try disabling the main site htaccess by renaming it 1.htaccess .. if you still can't get access than it rules out that being the issue.

[mathforum]

Ok I got a database error, which is a decent sign. Even after changing the .htaccess to 1.htaccess I'm still not getting asked to log in, which I don't like. I'm going to double check the master password.

[RichieBoy67]

what is the cookie path set to? / ? Plus, you would still see the site, just not be able to log in. I don't think that is the cause. What about file permissions? This would not rediect you to main site but would limit access.

[mathforum]

I really appreciate your help, but I will need to avoid taking the site offline any more today. It's our two year birthday and I want us to look good! :)

I'm checking the SQL password, so if that works I'll let you guys know.

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what is the cookie path set to? / ?

I forgot the change this when I was making and exporting the new database from my main one. I wouldn't be surprised if I can't log in to the new site but I should be able to connect.

[ozzy47]

At the point you are at now, you should not have to take the live site offline anymore.

[mathforum]

It's definitely the log in for the db. Where can I find this? I am waiting on my host but trying to look in phpmyadmin as well.

[RichieBoy67]

At the point you are at now, you should not have to take the live site offline anymore.

Yeah, that is why I do not use the "change the site details before" approach. I just copy everything over and then change the details in the database and never touch the main site.

I set up test sites at least one or twice a month when ever I am doing something major or something untested. It is a good way to see if something works without causing issues for someone.:)

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It's definitely the log in for the db. Where can I find this? I am waiting on my host but trying to look in phpmyadmin as well.

It depends on your server panel but it should be under where you created the database and the database username..

[mathforum]

Success! The cookies don't seem to be causing any problems... is that working ok because I gave them both different prefixes?

I'm excited. Thank you both very much!!!

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I still need to password protect it. Don't want people signing up for it. :D

[RichieBoy67]

You can also turn the test site off so admins only see it and yes password protecting the directory is a good idea.

Not sure how you have the cookie paths set. I usually leave them default for test sites which is blank I believe.

You also do not want it being crawled and indexed. :)

[ozzy47]

What I would do also is start by making any changes to the test site small ones, to make sure it is for certain not copying it to the live site in anyway. :)

[mathforum]

Haha, great point. Some new posts have been made to the main site since and nothing has happened. Still can hop between the two repeatedly. This really wasn't that hard but it's a tedious thing where you need to know what details matter and sometimes order matters.

[ozzy47]

Glad it seems to be working now, happy testing. :)

[RichieBoy67]

Haha, great point. Some new posts have been made to the main site since and nothing has happened. Still can hop between the two repeatedly. This really wasn't that hard but it's a tedious thing where you need to know what details matter and sometimes order matters.

The first time is hardest and after that it is a snap. If you have to do it again you will have no issues at all I bet. :)

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What I would do also is start by making any changes to the test site small ones, to make sure it is for certain not copying it to the live site in anyway. :)

yeah! That is great advice. Messing up a test forum = no big deal, messing up the real forum while thinking it is the test forum = priceless :eek: