Random 'open_basedir restriction'. Any Ideas?

[Nachtrafe]

YaBB SE Version: 1.5.1 Final
PHP Version: 4.3.2
MySQL Version: 4.0.x
Server Platform: Unix, Linux, or BSD
Link to Forum: http://www.theoasisforums.com/yabbse/index.php

Problem Description:
Howdy.  

OK...things have been going pretty well with my board for the last few months.  Then, about a week ago, I started noticing that I(and a couple of members) were getting the following error.

Warning: Unknown(): open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/home/xxxxxx/public_html/yabbse/index.php) is not within the allowed path(s): (/home/olaf:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php:/tmp) in Unknown on line 0

Warning: Unknown(/home/xxxxxx/public_html/yabbse/index.php): failed to open stream: Operation not permitted in Unknown on line 0

Warning: (null)(): Failed opening '/home/xxxxxx/public_html/yabbse/index.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in Unknown on line 0

Things have been getting progressively worse for the last few days, and now the error is recurring quite often.  Everyone's getting it, Members and Admin, and, like I said, it seems to occur at random.  It's the *EXACT* same error for everyone.  Sometimes I can post all day, and not have a problem, then I'll get the error half a dozen times in a row.  It happens in posts, PM's, and when posting/posting to polls.  Any ideas?

There's a thread about it on the board, HERE.  I've tried to look at the index.php file and see if I can find out the problem, but I'm pretty much a PHP neophyte.  LOL...But, this is one hell of a crash course.  

Any ideas/help would be greatly appreciated.  I *did* try to search for the error, using various parts of the code as Search terms, but I didn't find anything that seemed to fit the bill.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Nachtrafe

[[Unknown]]

I only read your error messages, but this isn't YaBB SE's fault.  Talk to your host... ask them if they can lighten up the security, because it seems buggy.

-[Unknown]

[Nachtrafe]

Hmmmm...I was thinking that security might be the issue.  My board's been a little wonky ever since DZones upgraded their server.  *SIGH*  Guess I'll have to send them *ANOTHER* email.  LOL...The main redeeming factor about their tech support is that, at least they always answer promptly.  They may not know the answer, but they do always answer.  

[Nachtrafe]

I(and my members) are still getting this damn error.  I have advised the tech support folks at my host, but they keep telling me that, unless they can re-create the error, they cannot tell how to fix it.  I keep trying to tell them that it's the same freakin error every time, and that it occurs randomly, but they dont seem to be listening...  *SIGH*

Anyway...it was suggested to me that the problem is probably in the PHP.ini file.  Does anyone have an idea of what, specifically, might be the issue?  Something that I could tell the host so that they could fix the damn problem.  It's getting incredibly annoying.  I'm seriously considering switching hosts at this point, but I cant for awhile, we signed on for 6 months, and I dont really feel like dealing with the headache or moving the whole board.

Any help is greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance.  

Nacht

[Douglas]

If it's happening infrequently, then it's gotta be something on the server's side, either database going down (Check/Repair/Optimize it often), or somethin's just not quite right with php.ini.  As far as specifics, I wouldn't be able to tell you unless we were able to view the whole file itself.

Who are you hosted with, if you don't mind me asking.  On the SMF site, there will be a list of "Tried and proven SMF/YSE hosts" available.  If you DO end up moving, I can rattle off a few of them now, and I won't even plug myself.  How's that for a deal?

* Douglas points to LewisMedia being one of the recommended hosts

[Nachtrafe]

If it's happening infrequently, then it's gotta be something on the server's side, either database going down (Check/Repair/Optimize it often), or somethin's just not quite right with php.ini.  As far as specifics, I wouldn't be able to tell you unless we were able to view the whole file itself.

Who are you hosted with, if you don't mind me asking.  On the SMF site, there will be a list of "Tried and proven SMF/YSE hosts" available.  If you DO end up moving, I can rattle off a few of them now, and I won't even plug myself.  How's that for a deal?

* Douglas points to LewisMedia being one of the recommended hosts

Yeah, another member mentioned that it was probably the PHP.ini file.  I mentioned that to tech support and they just sort of blew by it.  *SIGH*

DZones is my host.  I tried it based on the recommendation of a several people here.  But I think they are under new management now, because we've had several problems with them(the biggest one so far was the fact that my site was down for two WEEKS due to a simple server migration).  They are very prompt to reply though.    I have sent them half a dozen emails regarding this, and they've even joined the board and poked around a bit, but they keep telling me that if they can't reproduce the error, they cant help me.  *GRRRR*  I keep telling them, "It's the SAME error for everyone, and it's RANDOM."  I have asked the membership to start posting the *exact* circumstances of when they get it HERE, and have sent that to tech support, but I haven't heard back from them yet.

Hmmmmm...I think I'll back up the board when I get home and run it through a complete checkup.

LOLOL...No worries, if you have/are a reliable host, you can plug yourself all you want.    After our six months is up I am seriously considering leaving DZones.  I'd talk with my partner about leaving now, but it would probably be more trouble than it's worth, their cancellation clause is more convoluted than the Mississippi.

Anyway...thanks for the help.  I'll keep plugging away and hopefully I'll be able to resolve the issue soon.  It's becoming a real headache.  Granted, hitting 'Refresh' tends to solve the issue, but sometimes it causes double posts and/or members will lose posts...but it's not *too* bad...mostly just annoying.

*Quickly scampers off to check out the LewisMedia hosting site*  

Thanks again
Nacht

[Douglas]

Okay, as I promised, since I won't plug myself yet, the following people are the ones I would be hosted with, if I weren't a host myself...

LewisMedia (they own/host YaBB SE and SMF, of course)
CharlottezWeb (www.charlottezweb.com) - Charter Member of SMF, one of my clients (chat services) and very active in the YSE/SMF community
Intrelix (www.intrelix.com) - My graphics guy, and a good host.  Hosting one of my design clients, a YSE driven site (www.reiclub.com)
David Frisk (Check the hosting board for a link to his site) - Another one of my clients (independent chat script) and a total kick in the @$$ person, very fun to work with.  Posts here as dfrisk or Fed-X (can't remember which one).

The order that I listed these folks is NOT important.  They're all equally great hosts, and you should experience NO problems.  They're ALL very responsive to any issues that come up, and they ALL make sure their systems are current with any security issues.

[Nachtrafe]

Right on!  Thanks a ton!  I will talk with my partner and see what she thinks about moving the board.  I can do that without losing all of the threads right?  I recall seeing something to this effect on one of the other boards, but I dont remember where.

Thanks!!!

[Peter Duggan]

I can do that without losing all of the threads right?

You can do that without losing *any* of the threads!

<edit>But please also upgrade to 1.5.4 ASAP!</edit>

[Shadow's Pawn]

You should definitely ask your host for your money back for whatever time you have remaining.  If they aren't providing the service you are paying for, then they should be willing to refund your money.

[Nachtrafe]

I can do that without losing all of the threads right?

You can do that without losing *any* of the threads!

<edit>But please also upgrade to 1.5.4 ASAP!</edit>

Good to know.  

LOL...If we move, I will definitely do that.  If we stay, I dont know what to do.  Updating probably cant hurt either way.  

Erm...n00b question.  Is there a thread and/or FAQ that details moving a board from one host to another.  And, could you(or someone else) point me to it?

[Nachtrafe]

You should definitely ask your host for your money back for whatever time you have remaining.  If they aren't providing the service you are paying for, then they should be willing to refund your money.

Yeah, I've thought about it.  But we paid for six months initially, and that 6 months will be up in about 2 weeks.  I dont imagine it's worth the hassle for the few bucks we'd get back.  I think we'll just vote with our wallet and take our business elsewhere.  

[Peter Duggan]

Is there a thread and/or FAQ that details moving a board from one host to another.  And, could you(or someone else) point me to it?

http://www.yabbse.org/community/index.php?thread=24140

[Peter Duggan]

Updating probably cant hurt either way.  

It's essential for the security of your board!

[Nachtrafe]

Updating probably cant hurt either way.  

It's essential for the security of your board!

Ahh...erm...*ahem*...yeah.  *nervous chuckle*  guess I'll get on that upgrade then.  

BTW...Thanks for the link to the FAQ.  We're looking into other hosts now.  I am still getting the damn error and the tech support people are still stonewalling me.