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How To Configure Joomla’s FTP File System Layer

01 Jul 2009

1 Jul, 2009  Joomla Templates Joomlashack

How To Configure And Enable Joomla’s FTP File System Layer

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***ONLY do this if you have errors after you have installed Joomla. These errors will likely first arise when you try to install a new extension, such as a new template. In fact, that is an excellent way to pro-actively test if you need to enable the FTP file system layer. Go to one of the Joomla theme clubs that offer some free templates, like Joomlashack.com, Shape5.com, YouJoomla.com, RocketTheme.com, etc, and try installing a free template.

I show you how to install a new template at 5:15 in this tutorial:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=sF_pkfJXsvU

If the install fails with errors, then, and only then, will you need to enable the FTP file system layer.

Note that in this tutorial I make an new ftp account for my joomla instance to interface with, but I realize that some hosts (usually the free ones) don’t let you make new ftp accounts as they ONLY let you use the ONE ftp account that they give you. If this is the case, simply use THAT ftp account then. Also, make sure you adjust the “ftp root” setting appropriately. What it needs to know is “Where is the Joomla instance (the folder where joomla’s index.php file is, ie public_html) relative to the root of the ftp account. The root of most default ftp accounts is the parent of the public_html folder, so you will probably have to adjust by using the value “/public_html/” as the ftp root parameter.

If in doubt, try “/” first. If joomla throws an error when you apply, try “/publc_html/”

Duration : 0:9:8


[youtube jzBNjCkViRU]

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25 Responses

  1. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 1

    tem = team (sorry, …
    tem = team (sorry, typing on my asus n10j netbook)

  2. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 2

    I also don’t know …
    I also don’t know what you mean by “no code editor”. Joomla has many 3rd party code editors in addition to the included one. besides, the code editors are more for end users: Developers like me generally turn it off completely and use straight html. WHen you do that, the code is just as editable as any site, but becuase joomla with plugins is complicated, and because we didn’t write it, it can be hard to find what you are looking for. But, like I said, it takes time and experience.

  3. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 3

    for sure, joomla is …
    for sure, joomla is terribly frustrating to learn, especially for anyone who already knows how to make web sites. BUT, if you invest the time, you will be able to make sites that you simply can not do independently, or even with a tem with a reasonable budget/time constraints. I have much experience using standard commercial and free javascript/php “libraries” and the joomla versions, while not as “powerful” are waaaaay easier to get up and running.

  4. computersolutions164

    2009 Jul 01 4

    I hate Joomla with …
    I hate Joomla with a passion. Why because it is so restrictive and has no code editor of any kind. Personally I would not even ever entertaining using it for this very reason. You cannot alter the HTML code very easily so you are stuck with the defaults you are given. Give me a traditional web programming tool any day.
    How do you get to the HTML code in a page, I want to change something for somebody. there is no way to do it.

  5. dawdyand1

    2009 Jul 01 5

    thanks man ur a …
    thanks man ur a life saver

  6. PeepleTown

    2009 Jul 01 6

    Hey, thanks a ton …
    Hey, thanks a ton for the video. I followed your instructs exactly, but for some reason I am still getting the error: The parameter file params.ini is unwritable! – When I change the permissions of that file it says it is writable, but then when i go to template manager and make an edit to the template I’m using it reverts back to unwritable. Anyone have a fix for this by chance? New to Joomla and love it, just need this fixed! :)

  7. imurphster

    2009 Jul 01 7

    Hi Alex, Thanks for …
    Hi Alex, Thanks for the help, I got my host to re-set all the permissions and make sure i had ownership off them, this seems to have solved the problem! thanks again for your help, and keep up the good videos.

  8. mahoneko321

    2009 Jul 01 8

    Urghh! I just spent …
    Urghh! I just spent several hours working this all out, and now just AFTER I worked out how to do it, I find your video which explains it all more clearly than anywhere else on the net. Great video.

  9. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 9

    Oh, and the other …
    Oh, and the other thing worth mentioning is the way unix/linux deals with file/folder permissions. When “someone else” owns your joomla files/folders you can not manipulate them, and you can not chown (change owner) without ssh (command line) or possibly through a chown cron job (again, ask your host), but you CAN change the file/folder permissions to let you in, even though this is NOT a secure way of doing things (just a workaround). Use an ftp client to chmod folders to 777.

  10. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 10

    Again, 1.5 IS built …
    Again, 1.5 IS built to better cope with this situatation, but upgrading from 1 to 1.5 is NOT easy by virtue of many of your plugins/modules/components/template not being able to cross over. You COULD try salvaging your 1.0 site by demanding your host fix the problem the ownership problem, some hosts even have a control panel option to fix this, and I THINK you can run a chown command through a cron job, but not sure how, so ask your host. Sorry I can’t be more help, I know how lame this is.

  11. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 11

    urg, yes, you …
    urg, yes, you entirely right. ftp file system layer was added in 1.5 to “help” with situations like this. The problem is all about file permissions. When your host moved your files/folders, they either had the process take ownership of them, or their server is running in “safe mode”, or both. I have also read the php 5 is better at coping with this than version 4, so check your php version.

  12. imurphster

    2009 Jul 01 12

    Hi Alex,
    Thanks …
    Hi Alex,
    Thanks for getting back to me.

    I have followed yours step in the video, however when i go to global configuration, then sever thereis no ftp settings, is this because the layout is different in joomla 1.0? If so were will it be?
    Thanks.

  13. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 13

    You can use …
    You can use fantastic to upgrade only if the previous installation is fantastico as well. And, upgrading Joomla core from 1.0 to 1.5 is no big deal, but many of the plugins will not transition smoothely, if at all. I guarantee that this is not the problem anyway. More than likely you need to set the ftp file system layer configuration again. Watch my tutorial on that topic.

  14. imurphster

    2009 Jul 01 14

    Hi Alex,

    Can you …
    Hi Alex,

    Can you use fantastico to upgrade from joomla 1.0 to joomla 1.5?
    My site has been working find until my host updated there server, now i cant upload any files, folders or images etc, my host tell me “as far as we can see, nothing on the server is causing these issues with your installation, the errors look like code issues from within joomla” I am new to this and dont know were to start! I thought upgrading would maybe solve this problem? any advice?
    Cheers.

  15. ognib311

    2009 Jul 01 15

    Freaking awesome – …
    Freaking awesome – thanks so much for doing this! This solved my permission errors which were driving me nuts. Thank you!

  16. Animalcruelty21

    2009 Jul 01 16

    Dude your awesome! …
    Dude your awesome! Thank you so much!

  17. ivan001

    2009 Jul 01 17

    Hi alex, nice vid. …
    Hi alex, nice vid. After hours trying, i found your video on youtube, i tried to do exactly what you said and it didn’t work either. I can access and change files using the “test” account on Filezilla, but even after changing joomla settings the way you sugested, it won’t change files permissions. It always returns “JFTP::write: Bad response”. Also, my joomla only works with public read permission on configuration.php or any other file. looks like joomla is “Public” instead of “Owner”.Any ideas?

  18. mileyjk

    2009 Jul 01 18

    Alex you saved me …
    Alex you saved me hours of frustration. Please keep the Joomla videos coming. I am creating my first Joomla website and your videos have helped me tremendously.

  19. GunzTehDuel

    2009 Jul 01 19

    On my Mp3 player …
    On my Mp3 player when i turn it on it says

    File system error

    Then cuts off can someone help please

  20. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 20

    Because Joomla …
    Because Joomla effectively runs under the webserver “account”, anyone who manages to gain access can do whatever they want. But yes, you SHOULD do what you can to mitigate the threat. MOST experts say to leave configuration.php chmodded to 644, but that STILL gives the “public” read permission, and configuration.php contains sensitive information such as the database user/password. As such, 600 is even better, and if it still works (it should) 400 is best.

  21. alexwestconsulting

    2009 Jul 01 21

    That IS a good …
    That IS a good point. I bring it back down to 600 when I am done, but understand that I have to go back and chmod to 777 any time I want to make a change. Hacking someone’s site and accessing their file system and configuration.php is no easy task and it can certainly be argued that anyone who manages to access your file system will have little problem accessing that file regardless of the permissions.

  22. wangor

    2009 Jul 01 22

    oh and if required …
    oh and if required should they be left as 777? or is that risky as in public accessing these files?

  23. wangor

    2009 Jul 01 23

    yeh thanks this is …
    yeh thanks this is handy – though is it required that I set all files/folders that I want to write to to 777?

  24. amerwafiy2008

    2009 Jul 01 24

    dude where i can …
    dude where i can get free joomla template

  25. BurgBoard

    2009 Jul 01 25

    Dude you are the …
    Dude you are the f’ing man. Thanks now I am able to install sh404sef.


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