I downloaded a forum file/generator/thingy that would put forums on my website (its called vanilla V1.0.3 if it helps) My question is, how do i get it on my site? I have the newest php, and I also have MySQL. There is also input in the vanilla folder for mysql but i would need the database address or whatever. How do I find the database of my website (its a freewebs site for reference), or, how do I find out how to find the database (e.g. link to a tutorial on finding the database of a site) Thanks...

well its my own post but i found some info on how to make a database on MySQL but I'm not sure if thats the kind of database I want... Well if that is the kind of database I need how do I upload the forum info onto it, or upload the database onto my website, thx

honestly... I feel stupid or like i have split personalities because I'm solving most of my problems myself, now another problem arose AND MAYBE SOMEONE COULD POST A SOLUTION!!! sorry i need to get that out. I'm just a little tense considering I reeeeally want forums and i haven't gotten the most remote amount of help. I figured the site called "webmaster-talk.com" would be of decent help.... My God... was I wrong. Sorry I'm ranting on my post which I should be asking nicely for help i just really need to ventilate my anger out of my nerves into something productive. PROBLEM: I haven't found something productive to destro or rant about. Welllllllllll........ off that topic... My newest problem (the third or fourth branched problem from the mother of problems i can't get my forums to work) It says to upload all of the files onto my site, which i believe I did (on freewebs it says upload files and I uploaded them) I still can't get a couple files to upload titled ".htaccess" there are about five of them all labled ".htaccess", not with the extension ".htaccess" but lables ".htaccess" (without quotes all the while.) This is the first of my new problems (i forgot to mention, I have two problems now.) My next problem is the actual installation which I'm pretty sure I don't need the files to BEGIN. I know they are probably needed in the long run but for the time being... I don't think they are direly needed to simply begin the installation/creation of the forums (i could be wrong in which case how do I upload those wierd files?) Now... the instructions say to open the installation file in the web browser. does that mean with the web browser open, from with the web browser from the upload point or... I don't know thats all I can think of when it says open the file within the browser. Now... the second problem with this file and the third total is: I CAN'T OPEN THE FARJING FILE!!! It has a .php extension if that helps. My current theories are (yes I already have download PHP V5.0) either I am opening the file incorrectly (like when it says open within the web browser,) I have to specify the program to open it (like when you get a file you don't have the software to open sometimes you can specify to open it with another program,) or I have to save it in a different format (i've gotten files in a .php format that i was told to save in an .rar format and they worked wonderfully.) You may know why I can't open it already BUT there is still more to come... My next theory/couple of theories are still possible problems. My next idea is that I have to somhow upload ALL of the forum files into a database and somehow run it from the website. Then there is the idea that i have to upload a database to the website and upload the files into that. Next... I have to upload all of the PHP files onto the website!(no, I haven't uploaded PHP5 onto my website for fear that it might not do anything and it might just take up precious space. Those are all of my ideas to why my forums aren't working as of now. any help would be greatly appreciated.

ok... Calm down, there is a lot of peoples here, and you will get some help, but stop bashing peoples because you don't get any answer.
We all are here on our free time, you know.
And I'm pretty sure you could find a lot of answer just by google.

So, you want to install a forum on your site.
You have guessed the first step, you have to upload those files to your server.

Second, when the documentation says to open the file in your browser, well, open your browser and type in "www.yoursite.anything", and look at what your site tells you.


You cannot open any php file with windows explorer.
Php is a server side language, meaning you must run it through a server.

.htaccess, if you don't know what they are for, let them alone.
They are web server configuration instruction per directory.
And yes, you only upload the files that where in the rar file.
PHP is already installed inside the web server, on 99,9% of hosting companies (or it should, otherwise nothing will work)

I understand, I over did it with the rant, but there should be an area to ventilate your anger related to these topics because I can get angry, and when I'm angry I can assault someone verbally for days (yes days, and yes I have made people cry [not really just joshing you) and I have learned to take verbal assault as my main attack force because we all know the pen is mightier than the sword, especially when shot out of a gun. I may have misled you in my last post, but everything came in a .zip folder. I said that one time I had to save some files in an rar format. Everything came in a .zip format and I uploaded everything but the .htaccess. You also said that PHP is already installed on each site which makes my list a little smaller. Soooo... I would goto my site, then open the php file there, or do I goto my web editor area? Thank you for at least trying to solve my problem and getting me one-half-a-step closer to forums, thanks again and adieu.

No no no no no.....

You upload all the files that are in the zip.
Including .htaccess.
I was talking to left them over in the meaning they have, not the upload

So, you upload all and every files on your server, and then, you get on your site with your browser.
Not on a particulare .php file.
If it's done correctly, the first page to be loaded by default will contain the instruction to continue the install process.

a forum huh, and all that ranting over a forum. ha ha ha . i think tripy has provided you with most of what you need to know about how this should be installed, obviously you have it up and running as i dont see where you posted anything. not even a thanks.

at any rate, you should really read the README files thats why they are created. all documentation should be read in regards to what it is you are loading up if you intend on it working correctly. now understand that this forum you get loaded is not going to be the coolest, and most likely the ugliest site on the net, but there are major options, you will have to be able to search out for themes or templates, whatever you choose to call them, then you will need to read the documentation on how that should be installed.

but by all means, dont go to a free forum and start RANTING that nobody is helping you. if you were worthy of help, your hosting provider should have been able to help you out. if not there, the place where you stole the script you are trying to install should have been able to give you some direction. do we all know how to install a simple php database drive application, most likely, did we all wake up one day knowing exactly how to do that, doubtful, so understand that any of this takes time, devotion, and consideration of all who you are asking for something FREE from.

good luck in all your endeavors

Wait i think there is a new break in this problem.... is a server different from a browser? if so that is the problem, I am uploading them on the browser. As well... I may have already asked this... Do i upload the ZIP folder or just the extracted contents? and the php file... does that get uploaded? thanks for all the help, and dosdawgs.... If you cant read thats ok just say that... I did apologize, AND say thank you... and also my forums arent running! I dont know maybe its just me but i specifically posted a sorry/thank you. watch this... "Thanks again Tripy" lol so long

Server and Client are different. You have to unzip and upload your stuff on sever. Make sure your sever has php/mysql installed on it. Then do the configuration on server and access it from your browser. Be sure about the difference in server side and client side.

How do I access the server from my browser? this should let me complete the forums. Thanks so much everyone so far.

Originally Posted by ThikrThnWatr

How do I access the server from my browser? this should let me complete the forums. Thanks so much everyone so far.

The same way you accessed this site. Type the web site name in your browsers address box.
If the web site is not running, maybe a tool like cpanel is available via your web host / ISP.
The documentation that should be available for any free forum will be your best help.
If cpanel is available it will allow you to create the database that the forum can use.