Big problem - site not available & can't log on

Help! Newbie here. I had just about finished setting up my site
aircraft-equipment.com
and I used Filezilla to reset File Attributes back to original settings for all files and folders. Now the site isn't accessable and I can't log in on admin. I hope I haven't done something horrible after all the work I have done. Help please.

What subdirectory is your Zencart installation in?

zencart is the subdirectory name. The site loads under directory www. Cubecart is currently installed under subdirectory ccart and is working. I have been setting up zencart and checking it out prior to using it. Hope this info helps.

Exactly what are the file permissions you used?

I think I used 777 but then used xxx to set them back to default. I had just installed PayPal prior to the problem, but the site worked fine and PayPal appeared to be installed. Then I reset the file attributes, and the problem surfaced.

Now when I try to log on to DMIN I get this message

Warning: require(includes/application_top.php) [function.require]: failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/aircraft/public_html/zencart/admin/index.php on line 23

Fatal error: require() [function.require]: Failed opening required 'includes/application_top.php' (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/aircraft/public_html/zencart/admin/index.php on line 23

when I go to line 23 I see this

// | This source file is subject to version 2.0 of the GPL license, |

// | that is bundled with this package in the file LICENSE, and is |

// | available through the world-wide-web at the following url: |

// | http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt. |

// | If you did not receive a copy of the zen-cart license and are unable |

// | to obtain it through the world-wide-web, please send a note to |

// | [email protected] so we can mail you a copy immediately. |

// +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

// $Id: index.php 5454 2006-12-29 20:10:17Z drbyte $

Does this help???? It's Greek to me. Bill

Try to set the permission of the following files to 644 and see if it works. If not, check your directory permissions as well.

/home/aircraft/public_html/zencart/includes/application_top.php
/home/aircraft/public_html/zencart/admin/includes/application_top.php

Btw, do use your host Control Panel's File Manager application to double check the file permissions are set correctly. FTP clients may not necessary report the correct permissions sometimes.

canopy, thanks so much for trying to help me! Both of those files were already set to 644. I double checked them with the Control Panel as well and they are set at 644. Any other suggestions? Bill

You may also want to set the permissions for the files and directories for both /includes directories and application_top.php files to 777 and verify if its a problem with your directory or *file *permissions.

Do remember to set them back to their original permissions after you've done your verification.

If that still does not work, try looking for any misconfigured .htaccess files and see if they could be interfering with your store's functions.

As a last resort, try installing a brand new demo store under a subdirectory (e.g. /demo) and see if that works. If it does, compare the directory/file permissions with your current store and make the necessary changes. If it still does not work, you may need to check with your host on the possible problems.

canopy, thanks again for your help. I tried resetting the includes folders to 777 and can't do it. They stay at 744 for some reason. I was able to change the application files to 777 and it didn't help.

I am a newbie and don't understand your comment " try looking for any misconfigured .htaccess files and see if they could be interfering with your store's functions." Can you explain in more detail? Where are they and what do I do to check them?

I will set up a new zencart in another directory and see if it opens and reply back. Thanks again. Bill

canopy, I set up another demo store under newzen directory and it works! I will check attributes against the one that works, but this will be a big job. Which directories or files should I check first? Any other ideas? Bill

Okay, I have checked the file permissions of the above mentioned files & directories. Bacically the cart that doesn't work has 777 and the one that works has 644. Shall I change them all to 644? What if i copied the files that work into the cart with the problem - could that fix it? Bill

In a normal configuration, files are set to 644 and folders to 755.
To make folders or files writable, use 777.
To make files read-only, use 444.

There are variations on this depending on various kinds of server configurations.
Setting permissions too high often results in problems. And too low makes files unreachable/unreadable, resulting in errors.

DrByte, I reset the permissions to your recommended normal setting and guess what - it worked! What a relief! Thanks so much for your help! It is greatly appreciated. Bill