"./" means the 'current' directory.

i run the server. what kind of permissions do i need to set? what exactly does this error message mean?

The webserver user needs write permission to the folder (normally you would just set the permissions to 777) - also, you must make sure that no php open_basdir restrictions will prevent php from writing to the folder. The message means that apache/php did not have write permission to the backup folder you have specified, therefore it cannot create the backup file(s).

I have what seems to be an odd problem, maybe someone with coding knowledge would be able to explain it better.

When I run the script manually (run now) it works fine.. shuts the forum down, backs up the tables, turns the forum back on.

When it runs automatically it turns the forum off and I believe it stops at the post index table and does not progress and the forum stays off.

Why would it work fine with a manual start but not automatic? Does it execute in a different manner?

bump

There is no difference in how it runs.

will be installing this, it will come in hand to have a daily backup. You never know when you need a backup.

yes it is not turning the board back to online!!! be carefull just use manual backup.. thanks for the mod but it would be better if it could turn back to online.. also a gzip would be good to store whole db..

so any idea why it would hang when its run automatically and not when its run manually?

How about MySQL 5? Does it compatible with that?