User Access

Anon

I'm REALLY new at this and I am in a state of complete despair because I've looked and looked and looked and can't seem to find information on how to start at the start. Here's my question:

I'm trying to build a php message board (specifically from http://www.bestweb.ca/forums/forum.php?board=1 ) and I am having some problems. After a few minutes, I realized how to access mysql and do some basic stuff. But, I'm still stuck at the very beginning! I can't seem to even create a database. In trying to build a database so I can enter tables, I get this message:

mysql> CREATE DATABASE abc;
ERROR 1044: Access denied for user: '@' to database 'abc'

and I have NO idea on how I should go about setting a user name, the rights/access, etc etc. I don't even know the simple things - when the instructions for the message board said 'insert the table.sql' I wasn't sure if I was supposed to enter it manually or upload it.

So, if anyone has any experience with this message board (or just knows how to walk me through my problem!!) and can help me out, I'd really appreciate it so much!!
Thanks,
Craig

Anon

Are you creating this DB on your own machine or on the web? If you are creating this on your own machine you should create the db like so:
1) Load MSDOS prompt and CD\ to the bin directory of mysql (usually c:\mysql\bin>

2) Type at the bin\mysql\ prompt:
mysqladmin create abc
this should create your db.

There are now two ways to go about creating the table:

1) Use dump-files: Create a file called abc.dump and enter the table info into the file. Then go back to the dos prompt and type (at mysql\bin) mysql abc < abc.dump

2) or you can enter the data from the mysql program.

If you are trying to create the db on the web you'll need to get in touch with the server admin and ask them for help on this.

If this doesn't make any sense I can try a bit harder to explain it well.

Anon

Sorry! typo at step 2). It should read mysql\bin\ prompt.

Anon

Hi, thanks for the response. Actually I'm creating this DB on the web. It's already installed by my host (or at least I think so - I can get into a mysql directory), however I think it's not set up. As I said in the last msg, I don't have permission to create a new database, so I guess I have to set the permissions? Now how would I do this - would I set the permissions for me as the webmaster and also permission for my server to access the mysql? I don't have the foggiest idea of what the syntax would be. The file says to put the file into mysql, I'm not sure if I should/can upload it somehow, create it as a file, or anything!

Would you kill me if I asked you really really nicely to take a quick look at the software, please? : ) I am completely lost.
Thanks so much!!
Craig

Anon

No problem! Where can I find it?

Anon

Hey, thanks SO much! Here's a running example of the board:
http://www.bestweb.ca/forums/forum.php?board=1

The download is at http://www.bestweb.ca/download/index.php

However looking at this message board, it seems awesome, and if I would know where to get a copy I would definitely use this one instead. Do you know where I could get the files for this one? You'd still need to walk me through it!! : )
Thanks
Craig

Anon

Hi Stephen, I decided to download the Phorum software. I've tried to set up the permissions and identity and I feel a little retarded cause I can't even do that.
Anyways, thanks so much again for being willing to put up with annoying newbie questions!
So I first need to set up permissions I think, but I supposedly don't have permission or there's something wrong with my syntax. I'm not even really sure how to set it up, and I don't want to mess it up and deny myself permission to the whole thing. How do I take it from the beginning?
Thanks,
Craig

Anon

I don't think you'll be able to get hold of a copy of this forum, it was propably designed for this site. I would even suggest finding a tutorial, or better yet buying a copy of 'Core PHP Programming' to design your own forum. The experience is invaluable.

Setting Up the file permissions is easy! All you have to do is get hold of a copy of a good ftp program. I suggest CuteFTP (ver 4.0 or higher). When you upload your files to your servers http directory the FTP program can be used to edit the permissions. In cute ftp all you have to do is right-click on the file or files you wish to change the permissions for. Then select 'CHMOD' this will give you the permission options.
I would check with your host provider to find out which permissions you can set.
You will also need to find, from your host provider, how to set up your database on their server. What I can tell you here is that you should change the username and password in the mysql_connect(); (or mysql_pconnect()😉functions in your PHP scripts to your given username and password. This is usually the same as your user/pass for your host server.
I hope this is useful.

Anon

Hey, thanks for the response. I downloaded a copy of "phorum" (phorum.com), and the stuff is TOTALLY beyond me (even though it's probably written for that!). Do you think you could take a look at the source/files and help walk me through what exactly I should be doing?
Thanks so much!!
Craig

Anon

I'll have a look at that and get back in touch!

Anon

I checked out Phorum.com and it's a Pharmaceutical company. Where did you get the forum scripts?

Anon

Oh my God, I'm sorry, I meant www.phorum.org. And this time I checked to make sure 🙂
Thanks!