File uploads over 12.5M fail with Internal Server Error 500

[audiomason]

Hi there,

I have a very simple page with a form that let's you choose and upload a file:

<form action="index.php" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data" name="form1" id="form1">
<label for="file">Filename:</label>
<input type="file" name="file" id="file" /><br />
<input type="submit" name="submit" value="Submit" />
</form>

Then there's some very simple php to move the uploaded file to a folder:

move_uploaded_file($_FILES["file"]["tmp_name"], "upload/" . $_FILES["file"]["name"]);

The problem is the code works fine for files under 12.5M, anything bigger returns a 500 error.

I've checked the settings in the php.ini file, and they're set for a max file size of 20M. I've also checked the cgi logs, and have gotten no errors for this page.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

I created a test page, if anyone wants to see what I'm talking about:
http://www.audiomason.com/uptest/

Thanks,
Drew

[tpoynton]

While I have not heard about it in a while, there used to be a 60 second timeout on any scripts; how long does it take for the file to upload?

in looking at your page, it is unlikely it is timing out. I'd venture a guess that it is a limit on uploads of greater than 12.5 mb that overrides anything you have in php.ini - but you might want to contact support to see if it is something they could remove for your account, assuming what you are doing is within the acceptable limits/terms of use.

[entrecon]

I remember the timeout issue too. I just attempted to upload a pretty large file (156 megs) and I am sure I am past the 90 second mark...by a lot...waiting to see the final outcome.

This ran a LONG time and then bombed, doesn't seem like a time-out issue.

[tpoynton]

perhaps they quietly got rid of the 60 second timeout? I have to say I have not gotten complaints about timing out in a LONG time, like at least a year. I attributed it to my website users having better connections though

[audiomason]

I've been talking with support, and they insist that the error is being caused by the 60 second timeout. I just wrote back to them explaining how unlikely that is given that I can upload a 12.499 MB file in 34 seconds with no problems, but when I try to upload a 12.5 MB file I get an internal server error. My suspicion is that the LimitRequestBody Apache directive is set at 12.5 MB, I've asked them to verify this, and will let you all know what they say.

Thanks for helping me look into this.

[audiomason]

Support got back to me and said they filed a bug report with the engineering team and would contact me when the issue has been resolved... Hurry up and wait!

[IanS]

Well at least they think it is a bug so you 'should' be able to upload in the future. If you're keen to get the file uploaded try using FTP this time until the bug is 'fixed'. (You may have a long wait whilst the quality test any bug fix!)

[audiomason]

Originally Posted by IanS

If you're keen to get the file uploaded try using FTP this time until the bug is 'fixed'.

That's what I end up doing. The idea of the particular site I'm working on, though, is to let other users upload files, and these particular users aren't to savvy with FTP, if you know what I mean.

[entrecon]

Always keep in mind that if you are allowing other users to upload files, you are responsible for whatever is there. If you don't moderate the posts you could be in for some trouble.

[audiomason]

Originally Posted by entrecon

Always keep in mind that if you are allowing other users to upload files, you are responsible for whatever is there. If you don't moderate the posts you could be in for some trouble.

Good point
Only trusted users are given access to the actual site. On the test page linked above the files are deleted immediately after a record of the upload is stored in a db.

[Croc Hunter]

Some Powweb limits are hard limits. No matter if you set 20Mb or 200Mb in php.ini anything over 10Mb will fail with a one run script.