How To: Manually Install PHPBB

This is a basic introduction into how to obtain the latest version of the PHPBB Bulletin Board (as used for this forum), and

then install it for use on your site.

This 'How To' guide makes the following assumptions:

+ You have a web hosting account with Lunar Pages (If not, click here)
+ You have sufficient space on your account to install the system and run it
  (only a few MB to start with, but forums can get BIG)
+ You understand how to upload files to the server using either the C-Panel File Manager or FTP
+ You are able to use the 'Extract File Contents' tool within C-Panel
+ You have created a MySQL database to install PHPBB to (or you can create one)

If the above are not true for you, this 'How To' may not be suitable.

Okay, on with the show.

DOWNLOADING PHPBB

phpBB is a high powered, fully scalable, and highly customisable open-source bulletin board package. phpBB has a

user-friendly interface, simple and straightforward administration panel, and helpful FAQ. Based on the powerful PHP server

language and your choice of MySQL, MS-SQL, PostgreSQL or Access/ODBC database servers, phpBB is the ideal free community

solution for all web sites.

You can find the latest version available for download at PHPBB.COM.

The link to download the latest version can be found at DOWNLOADS.

You will need to download the 'g-zip' version to your computer.  Once this has completed upload the file to your

public_html folder on your server.

This zip file can then be extracted using the extract function within C-Panel.  Thus creating the folder phpBB2.  You must

now rename this folder to represent the address you would like your forum to be viewed at.  Currently it will be accessable

from:
http://www.yourdomain.com/phpBB2

This is where things start to get a little fun.

INSTALLING PHPBB

You will need the following information ready:

+ Your database name (this will be in the format username_databasename)
+ Your database User (this will be in the format username_databaseuser)
+ Your database password (this will simply be as you typed it)

Start by opening a new browser and typing in the address to your PHPBB directory and the install file:
http://www.yourdomain.com/phpBB2/install/install.php

This will load a simple form for you to fill out. The import fields are:

DATABASE TYPE: MySQL 4.xx
DATABASE SERVER: localhost
DATABASE NAME: - This is entered exactly as shown by the C-Panel database screen (including the account username prefix)
DATABASE USER: - This is entered exactly as shown by the C-Panel database screen (including the account username prefix)
DATABASE PASSWORD: - This is entered exactly as you typed it when setting up your database user

The remaining settings are personal to you, and should be straight forward to complete.

You will then need to click the submit button at the bottom of the page.  This will process the information and is meant to

update the configuration file for PHPBB.  In my experience, however, this is normally stopped by permissions. Do not worry,

simply select to down load the file and install manually.

As you click the submit button you will be prompted to save the configuration file, select a folder where you will easily

find the file.  Once downloaded, you must upload this file to your PHPBB folder:
http://www.yourdomain.com/phpBB2

Now delete the following folders within your phpBB2 folder:

install
contrib

Finally, open up a browser window and type the address for your PHPBB:
http://www.yourdomain.com/phpBB2

                               
Pat yourself on the back, you have successfully installed the PHPBB bulletin board system (hopefully).  

The poll is my little dig at Mikes polling comment  

Obviously Kata is much better at reading these posts than I am--what affiliate link?  

Ah, but we aren't allowed to include our affiliate link on LF.  You can do it on other forums, but not on LP's forum.    Thus, I don't see it there, do you?  

No..

but I wont say anything .. I"ll just post a couple How to Threads of my own! LOL

that was great.  thanks.  here's a question for you:

i am permitted only one mySQL database and want to use both nuke AND phpBB2.  using your tutorial, i installed phpBB2 into the nuke database and everything is fine.  it would be nice however to have user accounts automatically cascaded from the nuke user table into the phpBB2 tables.  or is there a phpBB2 module that i can ADD to my nuke installation?

any ideas?

thanks again.

Hello,

From C-Panel, click on the File Manager icon.  You will then be able to select the folder you want by clicking on the folder 'icon', once in the appropriate folder (where your compressed file is).  Select the compressed file by clicking on the file 'name'.  On the top right of the screen a menu will appear, 'Extract File Contents' or an extract option will appear.

You should be able to exit from Download Accelerator Plus, probably by right clicking on the DAP icon in the system tray, and clicking exit.  (It'll restart next time you restart your computer.)