I don't know if my server (which is shared) has the necessary requirements. I assume not, since when I don't see all the icons for the formulas (just text instead) and when I try to post a tex bbcode, I get [LaTeX ERROR: Compile failed] .

Is that what this message means?

That most likely means that some of the external programs need to compile the latex files generated by the mod are not in their correct location (you can change where the mod looks for them in the admincp), or are not installed at all. If you have shell access to your host, issue the following commands to know the correct path:

If some of this programs are not installed, ask your host to install them. Some shared hostings will be willing to install them for you, some others won't... I only can say good luck. If they have concerns about overloading the server, tell them that this mod caches the formulas, so they are only parsed the first time they are entered.

nvm. Hostgator (my host) says that because this is a shared server, they cannot install latex and dvips (the others are already installed). They said I'd have to move to a dedicated server to have these 2 installed.

When I was on 3.8.x, I used the Latex plugin, and it didn't have such server requirements. Are you the same author of that plugin?

Bad luck. Other hosts have different policies regarding the installation of this tiny programs (I know of shared hosts that run this mod without problems in medium-size boards).

I never released any latex product for 3.8.

You can try to use mimeTeX, which produces a bit poorer equations but has less requirements, you only need to be able to run a cgi (and don't even need a mod, only configure the proper custom bbcode).

hey, ive got all necessary programs (latex, dvips , Ghostscript , convert , identify) and all set to the right path in admin cp.

although , i still get this :

i am using vb.4.0.8

any ideas?

That error appears if it cannot call the latex executable. Make sure that the full path written in the admincp is correct (in a console, write ls [path], it should show the latex file). If the path is correct, it might be some configuration in php that doesn't give you permission to execute external programs thought the php exec command.

You can try to take a look at the error file in your server to see what was the problem.

latex directory is right.

where can i find the "error file"

in addition, what is the :

Document class
Class of the temporal latex file. The compiler should have access to the corresponding .cls file.

where can i see where is the .cls file ?

Not only the directory, but the path to the executable.

Also, remember that this is the path in the file system of your server, not your home computer.

Depends on your hosting. If you have cpanel, you can probably see it there.

You don't need the full path here, just the name of the class. You are probably safe leaving the default value (article).

what is the path to the executable ? i have only shell access.

i have directAdmin .. u know where i can find it there ?

Write "which latex". It will tell you the path.


According to directAdmin live demo, in "Site Summary / Statistics / Logs"