Installed vBSEO having problems with 404s.

WTW_Skippy · 10-16-2006, 07:31 PM

vBulletin: 3.6.2
vBSEO: 3.0RC5
Apache Server
Website: Orlando Pontiac Car Club: The Wide Track Warriors of Central Florida
Forum: Central Florida Wide Track Warriors - Powered by vBulletin

After I installed the software, links to things like forums would give me 404 errors, yet things like the usercp, new posts, calendar, are still fine and the links take you to right place (I also noticed that the members list gave me a 404).

When I try to goto a forum, the link is screwed up, an example:
"http://www.orlandowtw.com/wtw/orlandowtw.com/forum/members-cars/"

I read that if you were getting 404 errors it meant most likely something was wrong with the .htaccess file, or that it wasn't in the forum root. Mine is in the forum root and I even tried enabling Mod_Rewrite, but am unsure of the format for putting the link in

I'm not sure what other information you need, so just tell me what you need to know and I'll do my best to answer.

Thanks,

-Kyle

Code Monkey · 10-16-2006, 07:53 PM

Did you set it up using your vbseocp.php file?

Code Monkey · 10-16-2006, 07:59 PM

You need an htaccess in your root and your forum directory when you have it like here. The one in the root will need to be adjusted by adding forums/ to the beginning of the existing link structures.

WTW_Skippy · 10-16-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

Did you set it up using your vbseocp.php file?

I read that a fresh install would be fine, but then tried tinkering around with the control panel. So far no avail, I'm going to try your suggestion now.

WTW_Skippy · 10-16-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

You need an htaccess in your root and your forum directory when you have it like here. The one in the root will need to be adjusted by adding forums/ to the beginning of the existing link structures.

Would it be forum/ since that's the name of the directory? Or is there a reason it's forums/ ?

Also, is the htaccess a direct copy other than adding that?

Code Monkey · 10-16-2006, 08:31 PM

Well yes, it would have to be whatever yours is called. That was just an example.

Code Monkey · 10-16-2006, 08:32 PM

Also your config file needs to be CHMOD 666 while you edit.

Code Monkey · 10-16-2006, 08:35 PM

Also, if you turn it off you need to remove the htaccess files or your links won't work.

Also, did you actualy turn it on?

WTW_Skippy · 10-16-2006, 08:39 PM

Thanks for all your help Code Monkey! Definitley learned a bunch. I have to hit the sack for tonight, got an early class tomorrow

Code Monkey · 10-16-2006, 09:24 PM

Seems to be working now.

I would suggest you don't use forum names. Notice how here it says /f26/ etc. The reason being is that if you ever change the forums name you have just screwed yourself on back links. Plus the loss of googe Page Ranking for that forum. This way you can change all you want and it's no difference.

Code Monkey · 10-16-2006, 10:22 PM

Also, you should place the thread id after the thread title not before it so it's not the first thing SE's read.

WTW_Skippy · 10-17-2006, 05:19 AM

vBSEO's staff was VERY helpful in getting it working again, they even installed RC6 for me

WTW_Skippy · 10-17-2006, 05:46 AM

So the .htaccess file automatically forwarded me from my webiste homepage, to my forum homepage so I deleted the .htaccess file from my website's root directory.

Code Monkey · 10-17-2006, 07:19 AM

I PM'd you what you should probablyhave in root. You need it or links on your front page won't work. Make sure you update those links on the front page.

WTW_Skippy · 10-17-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

I PM'd you what you should probablyhave in root. You need it or links on your front page won't work. Make sure you update those links on the front page.

The links on my main page seem to work fine, however I will look into it when I get back home as I'm in class right now

Code Monkey · 10-17-2006, 07:33 AM

Of course they work fine. But do you want SE's caching old style links? Plus every one will be a redirect as VBSEO fixes them as they enter the forum. I am only talking about modified links. Not /forum/ links. But any links to a VBSEO modified section need to be what they are so they are not redirected and cached indirectly.

Code Monkey · 10-17-2006, 07:46 AM

If you already have an htaccess for some other purpose then you will need to merge this one in. You don't want to break when you fix.

WTW_Skippy · 10-17-2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

If you already have an htaccess for some other purpose then you will need to merge this one in. You don't want to break when you fix.

I don't have a .htaccess file in my site root, just in the Member's Area our site. So I can just upload that text you sent me as the entire .htaccess file? Woot.

It appears I've screwed up something with the multiple page thread rewrite (links currently aren't working for thread pages). Oh well, class is almost over so I can go home and work on it.

WTW_Skippy · 10-17-2006, 08:54 AM

Ok I uploaded the new .htaccess to my forum root (thanks CM) and I also fixed my thread page issues (silly me forgot to put a thread id D'OH!)

I think my last and final question is, will I need to do anything with my Member's Area .htaccess file for vBSEO?

Code Monkey · 10-17-2006, 07:16 PM

Members area? What are you refering to?

WTW_Skippy · 10-17-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

Members area? What are you refering to?

Sorry I should have been more specific. I have a directory inside my root directory that contains the pages for our website's Member's Area. This is completely seperate and in no way related to vBulletin. I just didn't know if I would have to change the .htaccess file I have in there. Since there will be links in our website's members area that goto forum pages.

Sorry if this is unclear, I'm out of it today