Can't change styles..
 

Hi.. I've recently updated my forums from 3.7.3 to vB5.1.1 on a test server. All was working fine, so I wanted to try a few different styles.

I install this one from Sukagwe. Uploaded the zip, as directed. It had two styles xmls to try. I tried the non gradient one first.. didn't like the red glow under the top tool bar.. so then in imported the gradient one. Didn't like it either for the same reason.

Then I installed this one, also by Sukagwe. There was no zip to upload, so I just imported the gradient xml one. When I tried to select the theme in the forums, it reverts back to vB5 Default.

I tried switching back to the first one by Sukagwe (it was still installed), but it would still always revert back to vb5 Default. I've tried installing a few others and even just added an empty style called test. But can't select it in the forums.. it always reverts back to vB5 Default, regardless of what them is selected.

Have I completely screwed up the theming system? Any idea's why I can't change themes?

I have since deleted all the custom themes.. even the incompatible vb3 and vb4 themes. All I have now is the vb5 default and the blank "test" I created by clicking "add new theme". Still can't change to the "test" theme though..

More info. Whatever the default style selected in the "Settings -> Options -> Style & Language" settings is the style that is actually rendered, regardless of what style is chosen in the dropdown at the bottom of the forums.

And the theme dropdown at the bottom defaults to the first style according to the sort order listed in "Style Manager", regardless of what style is rendered.

I also should note that something is amiss with the footer template. "The Copyright line says Copyright ©2000 - {2}, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd." Shouldn't the {2} be replaced with the current year? That doesn't seem to work anymore.

Check Settings> Style and Language settings>Allow users to change styles is set to "YES"

yes it is set to "YES". I've switched it back and forth a few times too. If it was "NO", wouldn't the dropdown to pick a theme be hidden?

Check usergroup permissions for the same, I think they override the main settings

I don't see any usergroup level permission for using custom styles. Considering I'm the site administrator and userid #1. I would think I would have permission to everything anyway.

Link? Are all the styles 'checked' in the Style Manager to allow users to pick them?

Also, please note that those were 5.0.0 and 5.0.1 styles and may not work on a 5.1.1 site. Did you read the comments to verify they would?

Okay.. i got is solved. It most definitely has to do with the "Stranger" theme from Sukagwe.

I decided to try a different browser (ie10). I was able to change from "vB5 default" to "test4". Then changed to "Stranger". Back to "test4". So far so good. But then it was stuck on "test4".

Deleted cookies (and all other browser data) in IE10 and was able to change back and forth between "vB5 Default" and "test4" fine.

Switched back to Chrome and deleted the cookie only for this site, and now it's working fine there.

So.. to anyone out there looking for themes. Don't use Stranger by Sukagwe on 5.1.1!

--------------- Added [DATE]1402023240[/DATE] at [TIME]1402023240[/TIME] ---------------

There was nothing in the thread that says it's broken for newer versions. I didn't realize themes were so version specific. That would be a PIA for upgrading, you'd continually be breaking your 3rd parth themes..

But even still, I would have thought just deleting a theme that didn't work would be sufficient. But something strange was in the cookie causing this issue.

Anyway, it's working now.. I'll just create my own custom theme.

Thanks for your help :)

In dealing with vB5, it is best that if you do anything in the admincp, like deleting a Style, that you then go to Maintenance > Clear System Cache or funny things can happen on the site. :)