PHPBB2 problems - split thread

[hawthorn]

I have installed PHPBB2 and it is so slow, with frequent timeouts, as to be unusable.

I have also installed OsCommerce in a different domain, and it is similarly unusable.

I shall have to move both sites to a new host. I think it is outrageous that Powweb attract customers offering MySQL databases,but don't mention that they are unusable.

In UK law thay would be prosecuted for misrepresentation.

I have been using POWWEB for seven years and have recommended them to many friends and associates, but they show no signs of being able or willing to resolve this problem, so I'm having to take my sites elsewhere.

[YvetteKuhns]

I just helped more forum members with their php/mysql websites. Some members needed to optimize and/or repair database tables. Some had incomplete databases, because their backup sql was too big. I used SQL queries to drop, recreate, insert and alter tables.

I just looked at some phpbb2 on Sherrie's site and it was fast. Brandon's gallery took about 2 seconds to load the first page. The rest loaded quickly. That initial connection was slower, but the CGI runs fast.

Many people who followed my advice or asked for my help got improved performance, but I cannot guarantee anything. This is a shared server and these problems exist on any shared server. If you want to start a new thread with your specific problem, we may be able to help you.

Yesterday afternoon, OPS was slow, because PowWeb was making changes to it. That was extremely annoying as I worked on Brandon's huge gallery and made the job take longer than it needed to take. Definitely, things are not perfect, but improvements have been made.

If you have many users on your forum at the same time, you will experience problems. Check your CGI error logs and see if "max user connection" error appears often. If so, you may need to find another web host. Of course, I saw that on Sherrie's logs, but her website is working fine now.

I am not sticking up for PowWeb. I just think that some people may fix problems and their sites will work. And others may find the same problems occurring on another web host. It would help to know the cause of the problems BEFORE you move, so you can make the best choice for your needs.

[hawthorn]

the forum has just been installed (by the autoinstaller) and has two users ;-) Sometimes it is Ok, but most times I try to access it it hangs for ages or times out.

The Oscommerce installation is similarly new, I'm still working on it before it goes live, but it is has only me trying to access it - and it has the same problems.

[YvetteKuhns]

You used the autoinstaller?! Did you try manually installing? I don't trust autoinstallers.

You should see Brandon's server. He has Joomla for the main site, SMF for the forum and Gallery2 for the gallery and it is all currently working on one PowWeb account (mysql08).

He has 9 Gigs of stuff on his server! I told him to spring clean his server. There was an old, abandoned Mambo and other stuff no longer needed.

Since I can see things working here, I wonder if the problem is related to specific mysql servers or some of the automated site tools in OPS.

As for OSCommerce, it is similar to Zen Cart which I have seen working here for a forum member. I recently moved Zen Cart for a client on another web host when they upgraded from mysql 4 to mysql 5.

When you install one of these shopping carts, the default cache method is to save cache in the database. Choose text-based cache and be sure your cache directory is on the same level as htdocs. The database method causes a lot of overhead in the database and obviously more database usage.

[hawthorn]

Ok, so I should uninstall PHPBB2, and re-install it manually?

Could you check the response time there, just in case it's something to do with being in Greece - most things happen slowly here ;-)

http://swapshop.chrisfixit.eu

[YvetteKuhns]

Ok, so I should uninstall PHPBB2, and re-install it manually?

I would recommend it since you may find it easier to upgrade or customize your forum in the future.

Could you check the response time there

Your phpbb loaded instantly! Of course, there isn't much there yet. You need to fix your link in the horoscopes post.

just in case it's something to do with being in Greece

Did you try a trace route to your website?

Microsoft Windows [Version 5.2.3790]
(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>tracert swapshop.chrisfixit.eu

Tracing route to swapshop.chrisfixit.eu [65.254.250.116]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 7 ms 5 ms 7 ms bdl1.tlg-ubr5.atw-tlg.pa.cable.rcn.net [10.49.20
8.1]
2 27 ms 12 ms 11 ms vl4.aggr1.phdl.pa.rcn.net [208.59.252.1]
3 21 ms 11 ms 14 ms ge3-0.core2.phdl.pa.rcn.net [207.172.15.35]
4 14 ms 13 ms 13 ms pos6-0.core3.nyw.ny.rcn.net [207.172.19.11]
5 17 ms 19 ms 20 ms pos5-0.core3.sbo.ma.rcn.net [207.172.19.4]
6 20 ms 19 ms 20 ms ge5-1.aggr2.sbo.ma.rcn.net [207.172.15.152]
7 22 ms 19 ms 20 ms 207.172.31.42
8 21 ms 19 ms 19 ms 3.225.148.207.static.yourhostingaccount.com [207
.148.225.3]
9 24 ms 21 ms 20 ms 65-254-250-116.yourhostingaccount.com [65.254.25
0.116]

Trace complete.

[Croc Hunter]

I doesn't matter if you have 1 or 1000 users or how it was installed. You should first update, repair and optimize your tables as Yvette suggested.