php version too old for latest wordpress yet hosting supplier says not

  • Hi this is a strange one as I would have thought this would have come up before but can’t find anything.

    I’m trying to install WordPress for a client with their current hosting supplier. The problem I came up with was the error message upon trying to install from scratch which said WordPress 3.4.2 requires PHP version 5.2.4 or higher. You are running version 5.1.6.

    I contacted the hosting supplier to find out what kind of platform they are running. I host with Linux CentOS with no problems at all but their hosting uses the commercial version of Red Hat and they say they only update PHP in line with what is recommended from Red Hat which happens to be 5.1.6 (which is about 6 years old). They are not willing to update PHP outside the update cycle supplied by Red Hat. They did however say that their version of PHP is actually up to date as they install the patches provided by Red Hat. The version number however stays at 5.1.6 but the functionality is supposed to be up to date with the latest version of PHP, or so they say.

    Their advice was to install an older version of WordPress and then try and update it from inside the CMS or try and bypass the PHP version check when updating.

    WordPress 3.1.2 does install however I run into the same problem with trying to update it from inside the CMS. I also don’t know how to get WordPress to bypass the version check.

    I know it’s not recommended to mess about with the core files of WordPress but as this is a clean install I’m willing to give it a go as nothing will be lost if I screw it up.

    Has anyone run into this problem? Are there any hacks that can get round it?

    Thanks in advance and am interested to hear all responses.

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

  • They are not willing to update PHP outside the update cycle supplied by Red Hat.

    Then you cannot run the latest version of WordPress. FWIW, the latest stable version of PHP is 5.4.9, so your hosts are way behind.

    Thread Starter cannon303

    (@cannon303)

    yes thanks Esmi it does seem that way but according to the hosting supplier this is the correct and up to date version even though it only says version 5.1.6.

    Sorry but there’s nothing we can do to help with this. Looks like you can only install WordPress 3.1.4.

    I would switch hosts, and then forward your domain once you have it all setup. Otherwise you’ll constantly be worrying about whether your site may be hacked due to an older version. E-mail your host and let them know if they won’t upgrade your site that you’ll be switching hosts. If they don’t react to that, they aren’t a very customer friendly host and you probably want someone who has better support anyway.

    I would switch hosts

    Loudly seconded. Although I cannot personally endorse them, there are some hosts listed here. Also searching the forums using the keywords “host” or “hosting” may provide you with some suggestions.

    Thread Starter cannon303

    (@cannon303)

    Esmi have you heard of this problem before where the hosting supplier say they won’t update the php outside the update cycle supplied by Red Hat? Or have you heard of the situation where PHP is patched rather than updated so the version number isn’t a true reflection of the of how up to date PHP actually is?

    I’m starting to wonder if the hosters are telling me the truth or I’m getting a bit of hogwash.

    have you heard of this problem before where the hosting supplier say they won’t update the php outside the update cycle supplied by Red Hat?

    Never. Not in 12 years as a professional web developer.

    Thread Starter cannon303

    (@cannon303)

    Caseyctg, it’s not my decision to make unfortunately as it’s my clients website. I recommended WordPress for their CMS needs and so now it looks like I’m recommending something which isn’t up to the job or non standard, which I know clearly isn’t the case as I’ve been using wordpress for years and very very happy with it. The hosting company is our local telecoms company who supply their business internet access and it’s all packaged as a bundle.

    Thread Starter cannon303

    (@cannon303)

    Esmi yep hogwash it is then!

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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