Very strange permissions problem with configure.php

After installation, if I forget to make both config files CHMOD 644, I/m reminded by that big red banner at the top of my site that says

Warning: I am able to write to the configuration file: /home/nnnnnn/public_html/store/includes/configure.php. This is a potential security risk - please set the right user permissions on this file (read-only, CHMOD 644 or 444 are typical). You may need to use your webhost control panel/file-manager to change the permissions effectively. Contact your webhost for assistance. See this FAQ

Well, both configure.php files are in fact 644. I checked them 100 times to be sure. I even accessed the site via 2 different FTP programs to make sure the permissions were changed. Yet, I still see that blaring red warning.

Any clue on this one?

Vito

Note that the messages tells you to set it to 644 or 444, and the FAQ article it links to goes into even more detail.

You said you tried 644. What about the other suggestions?

Yes indeed, I tried 644 and 444, and I also went through File Manager to do it. I'm sure it's not s server configuration issue, because just a few days ago, I installed ZC on this same server and after install, I changed them from 777 to 644, and no error showed up. Yet now it doesm and only for the one file, not the other config file in admin.

Vito

Well, the only time Zen Cart tells you that the file is writeable is when it is indeed writeable.

What version of Zen Cart are you using? v1.3.9 attempts to make it read-only if it finds it is writeable, and then only gives that message if its own attempts at making it read-only have failed. Which is even more concrete evidence that the problem is at the server/filesystem level, and not a Zen Cart issue at all.

You would think so, wouldn't you? I agree. Except....

(see attached)

Vito

DrByte:

What version of Zen Cart are you using? v1.3.9 attempts to make it read-only if it finds it is writeable, and then only gives that message if its own attempts at making it read-only have failed. Which is even more concrete evidence that the problem is at the server/filesystem level, and not a Zen Cart issue at all.
This is a fresh 1.38 install followed by an immediate upgrade to the latest 1.39.

DrByte, I agree, what you say makes sense. Except for this. 2 points.

1. 2 days ago, I did the exact same install with the exact same steps, and no error.

2. If it is a server issue, why is it not considering the admin config file writable as well?

Just doesn't make sense.

Vito

I recently installed a different program which went fine, with no permissions problems. I then installed it again, the same way, on the same server, and wasn't able to change the file permissions where needed. Go figure.

Anyway, this worked for me:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpost.php?p=853074&postcount=11

Absolutely brilliant, Steve!!! You're a /#$?@/& star!!!!!

Worked a charm. Thanks so much.

Vito

Also bear in mind that many hosts do not permit 0444 to be set via a FTP client.

They require such strong permissions to be set in C-Panel only.

stevesh:

I recently installed a different program which went fine, with no permissions problems. I then installed it again, the same way, on the same server, and wasn't able to change the file permissions where needed. Go figure.

Anyway, this worked for me:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpost.php?p=853074&postcount=11

vito:

Absolutely brilliant, Steve!!! You're a /#$?@/& star!!!!!

Worked a charm. Thanks so much.

Vito

And, as I said before, THAT same approach is already built-in to v1.3.9.
If you had to do that by hand, then it suggest that maybe you've not got a complete set of 1.3.9 files on your server.

DrByte:

And, as I said before, THAT same approach is already built-in to v1.3.9.
If you had to do that by hand, then it suggest that maybe you've not got a complete set of 1.3.9 files on your server.
I hope that's not the case. Although, I'm not sure how I could ever check that to be sure.

Vito

vito:

Although, I'm not sure how I could ever check that to be sure.A simple comparison would tell you:
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Troubleshoot_-_Diagnosing_Obscure_Issues

Excellent, Dr. I will give that a run later today.

Vito