Why? Why? Why? (File upload size limit too low)

elvira

I am really a newbie to php. I mostly edit scripts I find at hotscripts and elsewhere, though I do have some php books which I've consulted occasionally. Anyway, I want to emphasize: really a newbie. But I'm looking forward to learning more and feel like I'm gradually starting to get somewhere. (Gradually! 😉)

I have installed this great script (I'm not sure if I'm supposed to name it) which works as a file upload/file sharing service. Looks great. Works like a dream. I love it. Except that it won't upload files larger than approx. 2 MB.

I checked the php.ini file and changed the file limit there. No change. I read on another board about tweaking the .htaccess file. Tried that. No change.

I've tried several different web hosts (I use more than one :bemused: ) and all of them have the same problem. With different php upload scripts, it's the same thing. Small files are okay, bigger files don't go anywhere.

What can be done about this? Am I doomed to never being able to use any of these scripts? I have several hosting plans which are shared, but one is semi-dedicated, but that doesn't make any difference. (I'm not sure if that's relevant or not, but I thought I'd mention it.)

I'd appreciate any help. Thank you so much.

error_22

Usually theres a hidden html <input> restricting the file size, in the upload form. Look for something similar to this:

<input type="hidden" name="MAX_FILE_SIZE" value="100000" />

If thats not whats causing this, then Im afriad theres not much to do unless you provide with the PHP code.

elvira

Thanks for replying, error_22. I'll look at the script. Is it okay to post it here, or name which script it is? I am not familiar with the protocols here. (And just so it's clear, it's a great script.)

It's also worth noting that all php upload script I've tried (probably 5-6) have the same problem.

error_22

well to be honest, im not sure wether its ok or not to post scripts here, but post a link to it and ill have a look. Another reason could be the type of mysql column used (if the script uploads files to a database).

elvira

I don't find any hidden code that limits file size. (At least not that I can see.)

All the php scripts I've tried (and on various hosting plans I use) is "You didn't pick a file to upload." The file seems to upload fine (takes several minutes) and then when it should be complete, instead of uploading successfully, I get the message.

Here's a message board for the script, where they discuss the issue. (I just found this link. 🙂) I'm going to try some of the solutions, but it looks like it's an issue on the server's side. The thing I want to know is—why is this happening with all the php upload scripts I've tried, and is there any workaround? Is it hopeless unless I get a different host? (I had hoped that the semi-dedicated one would be sufficient, but I guess not.)

elvira

Update: I got a 4 MB file (woo hoo!) to upload by making an edited copy of the PHP.INI file and placing it in the same directory as the upload script. This is a major breakthrough, since before this it would only work on files under 2 MBs. I hope it lasts. (Crossing fingers.)

error_22

You have a semi-dedicated? Virtual dedicated? In that case you can just re-configure your php.ini file which seems to be the easiest solution.

elvira

You'd think that semi-dedicated would allow that, wouldn't you? But my semi-dedicated plan has no sign of a php.ini file to edit. I'll have to ask the host.

So far the workaround (copying the php.ini file to the directory where the script is) has stuck. I have modest expectations for the script (it's going to be used by only a few people—I'm not trying to make some sort of full-fledged service out of this), so I hope that it'll continue to work.

Thanks for your posts! I really appreciate them.