No "login" box.

[art99]

When I turn the forum "OFF" from the admincp, the main page shows only the message "forum turned off.......... will be back soon", and there is no login option (box for name/password). In other words, if I turn the forum OFF and then logout from admincp, refresh browser (or close browser), then it doesn't give me the login boxes. Just the message that forum is off. I have to type in the browser "www. mysite.com/admincp" in order to go back in.
Did I set something wrong, or is this the way it should be.
I do have some hacks installed.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

That is how it is supposed to be.

[art99]

Thanks for the reply.
I also installed VB on a test server and when I shut the forums down, it shows the message "Forums are off....... be back soon" and also shows login boxes. Why is that?

[art99]

Just to make this a little clear, I have attached two images.
The "pic1" is from the test site. As you can see, it shows the message and the login boxes.
In "pic2" is the actual site. It shows the message but not the login boxes.
Please, note the links in the address bar. In the test site (pic1), shows the link to the site. In the actual site (pic2), shows the link to the site and /forum/index.php. Could that be the problem? If it is, how do I correct that?
Thanks.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Are these both using the same vBulletin version and have a default unmodified Style?

[art99]

Yes, they both use the newest version of VB, there are some hacks installed though (vbshout, vbpager, psi forum stats, post thanks, global announcement, arrange forums in columns). Also, on the actual site there is an additional skin installed (Heavy metal).

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I expect this to be related to your modified style.

[art99]

I installed forum in test site and removed (uninstalled) all hacks and styles. Problem still remains the same.
Any ideas?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

To troubleshoot this, please remove any hacks and disable your plugins, then see if you still have this problem.
Note: To temporarily disable the plugin system, edit config.php and add this line right under <?php

define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);

If so, reupload all the original vB non-image files (except install.php). Make sure you upload these in ASCII format and overwrite the ones on the server.

If your problem still exists, please create a new Style with no Parent set. Now browse the forum using this new style.

[art99]

Marco, thanks for your time.
I uninstalled all hacks and plugins, uploaded all "fresh" vb files and upgraded. Problem still the same.
I installed some new skins. In some, you can see the login boxes when the forums are turned "OFF", but in some others, you can't see the login boxes.
A few months ago, I configured the forums to be visible (the index) only after the meber has logged in. In other words, if you type the site's link in your browser, the site will show the name of the site, the login boxes and a message saying that you must register and then login in order to see the forums. Now, this could be the problem. However, I don't remember how I did that. I looked in the VB settings but couldn't find any setting so to revert back to original view (view the forum index without having to login). Is there any setting that I missed? How do I make the index visible, even to people that haven't logged in yet?
Thanks.