Private Messages database problem in 3.8.4

[AramisErak]

Had an error suddenly start showing up in the last few days.

Database error in vBulletin 3.8.4:

Invalid SQL:

UPDATE coti_user
SET pmtotal = pmtotal + 1, pmunread = pmunread + 1,
pmpopup =
CASE
WHEN userid IN(168) THEN 2
ELSE pmpopup
END

WHERE userid IN(168);

MySQL Error : MySQL server has gone away
Error Number : 2006
Request Date : Monday, January 27th 2014 @ 08:03:36 PM
Error Date : Monday, January 27th 2014 @ 08:04:36 PM
Script : http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/private.php?do=insertpm&pmid=
Referrer : http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/private.php?do=newpm&u=295
IP Address : 72.35.122.228
Username : aramis
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version :

I need help understanding the message.

Notes:
Occurs on sending PM's.
PMs still going through.
Sent PMs not showing in sent messages folder.

[ozzy47]

Have you tried with all mods disabled?
What vB version and PHP version are you running?

[AramisErak]

Have you tried with all mods disabled?
What vB version and PHP version are you running?

vB, as stated TWICE above, is 3.8.4
PHP - don't know. Somewhere in the 5.x range.

But no changes have been made in months to the mods in use. And turning all off crashes the interface

[ozzy47]

Have you tried with all mods disabled?

To find out the PHP version, go to ACP --> Maintenance --> View PHP Info

[AramisErak]

PHP 5.4.24.
and as stated above, all off crashes the user interface.

Edit: I walked into adminning a board with extensive UI mods.

[Max Taxable]

PHP 5.4.24.
and as stated above, all off crashes the user interface.This happens with turning the hooks off in AdminCP>Options>Plugin/Hook system?

Because.... It shouldn't. All this does is ensure that only native vBulletin code is run.

Edit: I walked into adminning a board with extensive UI mods.It doesn't matter how many mods it has, turning off the hooks puts you in default mode and shouldn't "crash" anything.

[ozzy47]

vB 3.8.4 is not compatible with PHP 5.4, so you will need to upgrade to vB v3.8.8 or downgrade your PHP to 5.3.X

[Zachery]

How many are you getting per day?

Can you try running the query in phpmyadmin?

Who is userid 168? Do they have a ton of PM's ?

[AramisErak]

How many are you getting per day?

Can you try running the query in phpmyadmin?

Who is userid 168? Do they have a ton of PM's ?

Me. No.

Suddenly (and I do mean suddenly) started working again.

I have no explanation. It was giving the same error message, I turned off one PM-specific module, it failed differently, turned it back on, tested again, got the message above again, checked the PHP, read a post from a user about it, he mentioned it still not working for him, out of habit, checked the PM box, found his that he thought hadn't arrived, responded in the QR box, and boom, it's working again.

I'm now wondering if there's a hidden cron job that rebuilds/repairs the database.

[ozzy47]

Glad to hear it is working again, but you are probably going to run into more issues at some point due to the PHP and vB version.