PHP Links Directory version 2 installation instructions

You may find below information about the PHP Links Directory integrated setup, the description of all the steps, possible errors and troubleshooting information.

Please note that we offer free installation for all our products, so in a case you prefer that we do the installation for you, you are welcome to contact our support team and we'll try to help asap.

Step 1 - Welcome screen and PHP Links Directory End User License Agreement


In this first step you'll be able to:
see the general setup welcome message
read the PHP Links Directory end user license agreement

In order to continue to the next step, you'll have to agree with the PHP Links Directory end user license agreement by checking the check box (I agree ...).

Troubleshooting

1. I can't find the Continue button and I can't proceed to the next step?

By default the Continue button in this step is hidden and it becomes visible when you click on the check box (I agree ...). If you don't agree with the PHP Links Directory end user license agreement, the Continue button will not show up and you'll not be able to proceed to the next step.

Step 2 MySQL server information

In this step you'll have to provide the access information for the MySQL server (server name, MySQL user and password) on which you would like to install the main PHP Links Directory database. The setup needs this information in order to connect to your server and install the MySQL database on it.



In this step, you'll be asked for:

MySQL Server the server where you plan to install the database, usually localhost for most of the hosting packages.

Please note that on some hosting companies like GoDaddy, the MySQL server name is specific for every database, which is created and looks like for example: db_name.db.11111.hostedresource.com
In such cases it's necessary to copy and paste the exact server name, which you may get from the hosting package control panel.

MySQL User and MySQL Password a valid user account for the MySQL Server

Please note on Cpanel hosting package (used by the most popular hosting companies like HostGator, BlueHost, HostMonster, CirtexHosting etc.) if you create a new database and MySQL User you need to explicitly give permissions to this user for the database you created you can do that from the MySQL Database page in Cpanel, at the bottom.

If you are not sure for these settings, please contact your hosting provider or log in to your hosting package control panel, where usually this information can be found on a page called MySQL or Databases.

After you enter these values and click on the Continue button, the setup will try to connect to the MySQL server with the user name and password you entered. If any of values aren't correct (the address of the MySQL server or the MySQL user name and password), then an error message will be displayed and you won't be able to continue until you enter the correct values.

Troubleshooting

1. After you click the Continue button you receive an error message in red saying Server doesn't exist or access is denied.

If this is the case, please check once again the values you have entered. If the problem persists:
make sure that your MySQL server is up and running and that this account is valid
make sure also you enter a correct MySQL server name (on companies like GoDaddy and 1&1 the name isn't the default localhost and may be different for every database)
on CPanel hosting packages, please check if permissions for the database are granted to the MySQL user you entered
- if you have any troubles finding the correct MySQL information for your hosting package, you can also contact your hosting provider and ask them for the MySQL settings for your hosting account



Step 3 - Setup of the main PHP Links Directory database



In this step you'll be asked if you would like to create a new database for PHP Links Directory or use an existing one.

If you choose the option to create a new database, you'll be asked to enter the name of the database. We recommend you to use a name, which will be easy to distinguish, like for example links_directory. Be aware that when choosing this option, the MySQL user you have provided in the previous step should have the rights to create new databases on the MySQL server. If this is not the case, the database creation will fail and such error will be displayed on the screen.

If you choose the option to use an existent database, the PHP Links Directory database tables will be created in the database chosen by you. All the tables, which will be created will have a prefix websiteadmin_, no data from the existing database and tables will be deleted.

Troubleshooting
1. I have chosen the option to create a new database but when I click on Continue, I get an error message colored in red and I can't proceed to the next step, why?
- make sure that your MySQL user has CREATE DATABASE permissions on the MySQL server
- make sure that you don't have already a database on your server with the same name as the one you entered

2. I have tried to use the second option, to use an existing database, but I receive an error message saying that the table websiteadmin_admin_users already exists
- this means that you have previously installed the script in this database, so you may either use a new database or delete the old script tables and then continue with the installation


Be aware that in this step the setup creates also the script configuration file. If the process running PHP on your server for your hosting package doesn't have right permissions in the folder where you install PHP Links Directory you'll receive the following message in the interface:

The process running PHP on this computer doesn't have permissions to create and write the configuration file in the main web folder. You need to create it manually the content will show up in the screen. You need to copy / paste it in a file config.php and upload it in the main web folder (the one in which you uploaded the real estate files). So you could either upload it with FTP or use the File Manager in your hosting package control panel to save the config.php file.

If you experience troubles when doing this or have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.


Step 4 Installation successful screen

If you reached this step, PHP Links Directory has been installed successfully on your server/hosting package and you can open the front site and also the administration panel to manage the website and different settings.

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