suddenly cannot access database in my forum

so I can read and view posts in my forum, but sometime today the ability to access the database or write to it stopped.
this means you can't log in
if you are logged in, you cannot post or edit
this includes me the Admin.
well, those are the symptoms I don't know if I am saying it correctly.

this is an extremely low-traffic forum. How do I begin trying to track down where the problem is?
I have never really liked the forum (DCforum+) anyways, maybe this is the excuse I need to move to a new one.

Usually, reading posts on a forum necessitates accessing the database, so if you can read posts you are likely reaching the database.

The first thing I would do is to try to connect to the database via phpMyAdmin by browsing to the hostname. If *that* doesn't work, it's a pretty good indication that something may be wrong with the database/host; if it does work, then the problem is likely with your forum. wink

--rlparker

well, I just checked my GALLERY install and I have the same problems there, even as Admin, I cannot add comments, upload anything or edit anything. Also, on a different browser I am not able to log in as well. Coincidence?

I don't know if it is a coincidence or not, though I'd generally think the problems are related. wink

Did you try logging in to your MySQL host's phpMyAdmin interface by browsing to the host? If so, what happened when you tried to do that?

What error messages are you receiving?

--rlparker

I was able to log in to both separately via the phpMyAdmin interface.

I did not notice any error messages, but since I have never been to that page before, I don't really know what I am looking for.

I'm having a similiar problem with my wordpress/phpbb installs - no form submits, it just reloads. Logins, comments, etc.

Are you on the [marge] server?

Well, that tends to indicate that your database *is* reachable via the MySQL host.

You shouldn't have seen any error messages if you successfully logged in via phpMyAdmin; I was asking about what, if any, error messages you get when you are unable to post. etc. from your forum.

--rlparker

I am having the same problem. Originally I thought someone hacked my vbulletin then I realized I can no longer login to other mysql databases hosted here.. I to can access databases via my phpadmin. It appears noone has been able to post (if they are currently logged in) or login to our systems since about today at 6PM PST. Would like to hope they are working on the issue. Just submitted a support ticket.. Hopefully this will be resolved soon as the last issue we had it took over 48 hours to get it resolved.

Got it
All the php apps (phpb/wordpress) use the older $HTTP_POST_VARS. For php to support that "register_long_arrays" in php.ini needs to be set to On.

Looking at marge's php.ini file, its set to off ->

register_long_arrays = Off

is set in php.ini

Now, how to get support to change it back?

Sources:
http://tronprog.blogspot.com/2006/11/problem-with-php-httppostvars.html
http://www.php.net/manual/en/reserved.variables.php

I hope that is the solution and they change it back quickly.

Gah, $_POST doesn't work either, so it may not be that.

Found a similar dreamhost issue from 2005:

http://forum.dreamhosters.com/programming/24665-PHP-dropping-_POST.htm

Can't login to Wordpress here, or post as a guest.

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In reply to:
Now, how to get support to change it back?

You can 'change it back' yourself by customising your own php.ini (see Wiki).

Seems problem with MySQL servers is spreading -- now DreamhostStatus.com is offline too!

In reply to:
Error establishing a database connection

This either means that the username and password information in your wp-config.php file is incorrect or we can't contact the database server at mysql.dreamhoststatus.com. This could mean your host's database server is down.

In reply to:
now DreamhostStatus.com is offline too!

No it isn't smile

I hardly see that as a reason for joy - databases have been inaccessible for 16-hrs (problems started at 14.30 PST yesterday).

BTW if status wasn't offline, why did the error message appear?

Same issue here, also filled out two tech tickets since last night with no respond yet... hopefully this will be resolved soon.

In reply to:
BTW if status wasn't offline, why did the error message appear?

No idea, but it's not offline as you stated wink

this appears to be confirmed elsewhere:
http://discussion.dreamhost.com/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=3rdparty&Number=100584

unfortunately the suggested "solution" is not something I wish to even begin to attempt.

Now that a number of people have submitted Trouble Tickets, I suspect they will get to work on it and figure it out. They have in the past, I see no reason for them not to do it this time.

really?

http://www.businessenglishpod.com/DH/DreamHostStatus_offline.jpg

Yes, really smile

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3671/clipboard01zv2.png

Where can I find the php.ini file? I read the wiki and it does nothing for me.

I don't know jack schitt about this stuff but I've got to try something. My forum members are screaming bloody murder.

@ TeeTide

You can find the 2 INI files referenced in the Wiki article here:
http://dhspeedtest.com/custom_php/

As the Wiki article states - proceed with caution.

You might want to hold out a little longer - it's only 7.45 am PST - DH should be able to get a fix in place in the next couple of hours.

Thanks bizpod.

I've been trying to get a response from support since 2pm PST yesterday and they've ignored it. I'd love for Dreamhost to take care of it but it seems like they would have already done it if they were going to do it. What make you confident this is going be addressed in a couple of hours?

I can't afford this kind of downtime.

This isn't anything to do with phpBB or you.

If you read the Dreamhost status page comments:
http://tinyurl.com/2yqnh6 scroll to the bottom of page 3 and the top of page 4, you will see this issue is effecting all php based forums & blogs hosted with dreamhost.

Everyone's worked early in the evening and went down at the same time. No one can log in and no one can post. It's been 15 hours now & no response or actual post on the Status page about the issue from dreamhost yet.

It's obviously a major issue that's affecting 100's of sites - unless DH is planning on going out of business today, I'd say they'd be pretty motivated to get this fixed once somebody shows up at the office.

I've been with DH for 2 years and usually their support is timely and helpful. It seems strange that they've ignored this issue so far (as you said it started during daytime hours PST yesterday). But one look at the Wiki page put me off going near the proposed fix until I hear some kind of update/explanation from DH.

BTW. I never received any automated replies to my support tickets through the web panel as usually happens - makes me suspicious that they are not getting the notifications. I sent a copy of my tickets by regular email to support just in case (you'll need to use an old support reply from DH with a ticket number in the subject line for this the email to be accepted).

In reply to:
If you read the Dreamhost status page comments you will see this issue is effecting all php based forums & blogs hosted with dreamhost.

Everyone's worked early in the evening and went down at the same time. No one can log in and no one can post. It's been 15 hours now & no response or actual post on the Status page about the issue from dreamhost yet.

You are so entirely wrong on each point that even a double facepalm would be totally inadequate.

My databases have just started working again as of 8.10 PST.

I haven't attempted any fix, so I presume DH must be on the case now.

I have no idea what you are babbling.

How can I be wrong on an issue that has effected other people with many types of forums, blogs, wikis with the -exact- same problem?

Whatever the error was it was on DH's end. Many people were effected since 6:30 EST yesterday & now they have fixed it as of 5 minutes ago.

I have been a customer of DH since 1996. They do have many issues, but always seem to fix them. I merely was trying to help those that might have the same problem as it effected my databases & seeing posts in here and the status blog it effected others too.

I think you are the one that needs to not comment until -you- know -your- facts.

I'm back up too! Thank the Lord!

In reply to:
I think you are the one that needs to not comment until -you- know -your- facts.

As a matter of fact you were way off base with your claims Dianne.

It's Diana.

Why do you make such statements when you can clearly see on the dreamhost status site (under the comments) that there were many effected by this since yesterday? Also on this forum.

And to back up my claims here is the response I just got from Dreamhost:

I disagree entirely.

In reply to:
If you read the Dreamhost status page comments you will see this issue is effecting all php based forums & blogs hosted with dreamhost.

Everyone's worked early in the evening and went down at the same time. No one can log in and no one can post...

I trust that clears any misconception you might harbour pertaining to facts.

suddenly cannot access database in my forum