Can’t Get It To Work

Agh. 1&1.com is your host. Ugh. How horrible for you.

I’d recommend…well first I’d recommend getting a new host. 1&1.com SUCKS. But most likely, you aren’t going to do that, and instead you will choose to learn the hard way as everyone does. ??

So, go to the install4free site. It’ll be much easier to have someone else handle the issues you’re going to have when trying to install than trying to walk you through it in the forum.

Is 1&1 really bad for blogs? I was with Hostmatix first and switched to 1&1 because they were pretty bad.

And yes I checked out the install4free site. But I’m not sure if I’m willing to give my username and password.

Can someone explain it to me how to fix it? I can try to do it.

Should I contact 1&1 too?

What do you have in your wp-config.php? (Obviously, don’t put username and password.)

Here’s an example of mine:

<?php
define('DB_NAME', 'my-database-name');
define('DB_USER', 'my-user-name');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'my-password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

$table_prefix  = 'wp_';

define ('WPLANG', '');

define('ABSPATH', dirname(__FILE__).'/');
require_once(ABSPATH.'wp-settings.php');
?>

This… posting the whole thing.

<?php
// ** MySQL settings ** //
define('DB_NAME', 'the-db-name');    // The name of the database
define('DB_USER', 'the-db-user');     // Your MySQL username
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'the-password'); // ...and password
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');    // 99% chance you won't need to change this value

// You can have multiple installations in one database if you give each a unique prefix
$table_prefix  = 'wp_';   // Only numbers, letters, and underscores please!

// Change this to localize WordPress.  A corresponding MO file for the
// chosen language must be installed to wp-includes/languages.
// For example, install de.mo to wp-includes/languages and set WPLANG to 'de'
// to enable German language support.
define ('WPLANG', '');

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */

define('ABSPATH', dirname(__FILE__).'/');
require_once(ABSPATH.'wp-settings.php');
?>

1&1 isn’t that bad. I know some high end sites that use it exclusively and have nothing but good things to say.

Have you double checked your username, password and db name to make sure there are no extra spaces lying around? That threw me for a loop once.

Yes, I’ve double-checked. The thing is, I can’t create my username or database name. It makes itself. I can only edit the password. :\

Likewise for me. I don’t think that’s the problem. Does your host use cPanel?

I don’t know actually. How do I find out? It’s just the 1&1 Control Panel. But I think I might know what you’re talking about (cPanel). Used to be in my previous host and it was much simpler. :\

I dunno. I’m thinking the problem is at their end.

Well, I was going to ask if your username had been added as a user to the database. But it wouldn’t hurt to file a ticket with 1&1.

Re: filing a ticket with 1&1 – Agreed. Couldn’t hurt anything. At the very least they will probably be able to help you out by confirming your db name, username and password for you.

Alright, I’ll do that then. =]

For the record, 1&1.com *is* that bad. (Look at some of my old threads). I’m an installer for install4free (we don’t keep your information. Only use it long enough to get you up, and then we delete it all.) and have done 1&1.com several times. It’s the *only* host I’ve ever installed on where the “famous 5-minute install” takes at least an hour. And believe me, I’ve installed on *many* hosts. (My experience with them has made me promise myself to NEVER use them for *anything*. Ever.)

I’m not saying you *can’t* get it to run, but it’s a fun bit ‘o trial and error (and your computer will fear for it’s very life) to get it done. I’ve gotten many installations to work. But not in 5 minutes. I’m not surprised many companies use them – but I’ll bet my hard drive *they* didn’t do it in 5 minutes either.

And if 1&1.com doesn’t tell you to just use their 1-click installation to solve your issue, I’ll be surprised.

DON’T DO IT. If you do, you’ll lose *everything* if you try to move (the don’t give you access to your database to back anything up – and they don’t give you access to the WP-Backup plugin to do it that way, either). NEVER use their 1-click installation. Not only that, but you can’t put in new plugins or edit your themes.

Seriously, just contact us of at install4free. We have experience with them. They’re a complete PITA, but it can be done.

I would add for people who are wary of giving out their ftp details:
WP is server side software. All the installers give sterling service to the community without recompense. They are all highly trusted and very experienced members of the WP community. And there has never ONCE been a complaint. For a free service that is outstanding. And you can of course change your PW immediately after the install.

Good calls, Root and doodlebee.

I’ve been trying to talk my brother-in-law out of 1&1.com for a while; now I’ve got some ammo.