PlaymoFriends

Getting Started => Technical Support/Testing => Topic started by: tahra on June 18, 2018, 10:15:08

Title: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on June 18, 2018, 10:15:08
Has anyone else been getting these?

While browsing about I get these a lot - a refresh will usually bring the page up correctly (though it has happened that it takes a couple of them)...

They don't seem picky - appear on the main forum page, boards, threads, replies... anything goes, apparently.

Quote
Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, webmaster@playmofriends.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

Additionally, a 500 Internal Server Error error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: leefert on June 18, 2018, 10:42:32
Yes, I’ve had the same issue on both my mobile and desktop.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Luftgaengerin on June 18, 2018, 13:08:17
Same here.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on June 18, 2018, 13:42:02
And me, but only when accessing the home page.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: GrahamB on June 18, 2018, 16:32:59
I got one just now when I clicked on 'reply'!
I also got one when trying to send a personal message.
I am using a tablet.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Tiermann on June 18, 2018, 21:17:54
Yes, been happening for a few days for me randomly
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: The_Mad_Hadder on June 18, 2018, 21:31:59
Randomly happens, have to go back and refresh page. Though I cannot view at all page 5 of my all things western no matter what.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on June 18, 2018, 21:52:22
Happen ed to me tonight in different circumstances from the ones in my post above.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on June 18, 2018, 21:54:05
Happened again when I clicked on "Show unread posts since last visit" after posting the post above.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Hadoque on June 18, 2018, 23:43:41
Happend to me too, yesterday. When trying to log in on the forum several times, I always got that error-page ... Today I can acces the forum again.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Daniela on June 19, 2018, 06:41:46
Me too!
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on June 19, 2018, 07:14:59
There's something odd here. 

According to the search of unread posts since my last visit, there are nine replies and Daniela is the last member to post but if I click on the last post icon, the last post that comes up is from Hadoque!
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on June 19, 2018, 08:16:24
There's something odd here. 

According to the search of unread posts since my last visit, there are nine replies and Daniela is the last member to post but if I click on the last post icon, the last post that comes up is from Hadoque!

Just noticed that too - I wonder if Daniela deleted her post here? Still, that list should reflect that, me thinks.

I hope this database is somehow backed up? It would be a disaster, losing all the stuff here.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Raven on June 20, 2018, 03:05:49
I've had 'No unread posts since your last visit' when I've clicked on 'Show unread posts', but there were many posts since my last visit, as shown through 'Recent posts' near the bottom of the home page.

I'm still getting the Internal Server Error too.  Frequently.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Macruran on June 20, 2018, 03:40:05
L*go is hacking us!  :ale:
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on June 20, 2018, 07:41:52
There is another problem.  I have read the latest post in this topic three times now, but it still turns up when I click on "Show unread posts since last visit".
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: leefert on June 21, 2018, 16:09:41
I am still getting the error message when I try to get to the forum. I reload the page and it comes up fine.


Then I got the error while trying to post this reply
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Daniela on June 21, 2018, 17:51:51
Just noticed that too - I wonder if Daniela deleted her post here? Still, that list should reflect that, me thinks.

I hope this database is somehow backed up? It would be a disaster, losing all the stuff here.

That´s funny!

I wrote: "Me too" and posted it and have never changed or deleted it. But it seems, the post has vanished.

Strange...
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on June 21, 2018, 18:05:19
It worries me if there is some problem with the database..

Happens on all pages, randomly (or on a pattern that eludes me)
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: The_Mad_Hadder on June 21, 2018, 20:13:12
My father is an IT specialist and I asked him to take a look into this.

So you understand how this works we are currently on a web browser "Browser" which connects us via the internet to a web server which in turn retrieves information from a DATA base server (could be someones home computer or a very large one such as that used to support the cloud). The issue appears to be with the web server and not with the DATA Base server so you should not worry about losing all data that has been downloaded to the DATA Base server.

The software used on the "Web Server" is Simple Machine Forum Software "SMF" which is written in "PHP"  Hypertext Preprocessor code. There was an update to the underlaying PHP code on April 30th, 2018 to version 5.6.36.

My father would like to know from the individual who maintains this forum if they made any recent updates? i.e updating the SMF software after April 30th, 2018. If you have review and check the following:

“500 Internal Server Error” messages after changing the PHP version

If you receive “500 Internal Server Error” messages after changing the
PHP version on your web site, check the .htaccess file in your
public_html directory. At the end of the .htaccess file you should see
text similar to the following:

# Start A2 Switcher Block
# Do not remove or modify this block! Added by PHP Switcher from
cPanel to use an alternate PHP version. Contact Support for details.
<IfModule mod_suphp.c>
  AddHandler application/x-httpd-php-5.6.36.php
</IfModule>
# End A2 Switcher Block

The AddHandler value determines the PHP version for your site. Make
sure that the correct version is specified, and that the line
formatting is correct. Depending on how the .htaccess file was
previously configured, you may find that lines of text have been
merged, which could cause problems.

You may also see php_flag values configured in the .htaccess file. Any
php_flag values should now be configured directly in a custom php.ini
file.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on June 21, 2018, 20:30:09
What I find off, database wise, is Daniela's post - and there was another, don't remember :-[ - it appeared on the recent posts, and then it didn't exist. THAT is a database issue, I think..  most likely some "loose end", imo..
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: The_Mad_Hadder on June 21, 2018, 20:35:37
What I find off, database wise, is Daniela's post - and there was another, don't remember :-[ - it appeared on the recent posts, and then it didn't exist. THAT is a database issue, I think..  most likely some "loose end", imo..

Tahra,

If an individual tries to upload information through the web browser to then be downloaded by the data base server but gets the error in the meantime prior to uploading completion then it will never be retrieved by the DATA base for download which in turn means that the web server cannot upload it for others to view because it does not exist. But what information is currently on the DATA Base is protected especially if the individual who maintains the data base runs back ups.

Lets have them try what my father suggested they look into in my last post and see if that resolves the issue.


Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on June 21, 2018, 20:41:45
The last post list should not include a post that was not "saved" in the database.

THAT is my point. Usually, these are done as a "all or nothing"  - if one of the updates fails, the whole thing should be rolled back, so the database is... "coherent". You know, no loose ends/unmatching records.

The 500 error could be soooooo many things.. but THAT one worries me.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on June 30, 2018, 22:45:40
Finally had a day off and a bit more time to look into this...

I contacted support at the forum's webhost to query the 500 errors.

They checked on the web server and said it looks like the site is running optimally.

They also made configurations to the phprc file to see if this helps prevent the 500 errors we've been getting. :crossed:

Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on July 01, 2018, 19:42:51
Still happens :(

This morning had to refresh 3 times in a row before I got the page...
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on July 03, 2018, 20:54:16
Have submitted another support ticket with dreamhost :(

Checked today's error log
The recurring message is Premature end of script headers: php56.cgi
Hope they know how to fix it, because I haven't a clue
Puzzled that these errors are happening now because I upgraded several months ago  :eh?:
 
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: leefert on July 03, 2018, 23:44:02
Thank you for the hard work and effort you’re putting in Sylvia
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: JLMatterer on July 04, 2018, 01:29:17
 :o  ???  8}          :wave: :love: :wave:
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on July 04, 2018, 17:53:26
The web hosts think it could be caused by a spike in traffic.
There’s a lot of bots regularly trawling the site and one in particular has visited over 1900 times.
I now have to work out how to block the ones which are causing the problem.
They gave me some instructions, thankfully!  :P
Hopefully it won’t take too long to sort out. I have Friday off so I will definitely be able to spend more time on it then if it needs it.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on July 04, 2018, 18:35:34
Hopefully it won’t take too long to sort out. I have Friday off so I will definitely be able to spend more time on it then if it needs it.


Thank you :)
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Macruran on July 06, 2018, 01:15:56
Told you it was L*go hacking us!  8-)
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmovictorian on July 07, 2018, 18:58:08
Thank you so much for the update dear Sylvia and we will keep our finger crossed for that nasty bot to stay away from PF  :crossed: :)9
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on July 09, 2018, 07:59:15
On Saturday for much of the day I couldn't access PF at all so I guess that was when Sylvia was working on it.  Later I was able to get on and all seemed OK, no internal server error messages.  Later on, however, the message started appearing again and today, Monday, it's the worst it's ever been.  None of this is a complaint, just feedback.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on July 09, 2018, 11:32:52
The ticket is still open with the Support Team.

I keep replying to them when they say it seems to be working fine at their end, telling them we are still getting errors. :(

I know it's very frustrating! I have tried all the things they suggested like blocking certain IPs which show high traffic, but often that just causes more problems such as locking out members instead of the unwanted visitors.

A few days ago I put some code in place (found here (http://tab-studio.com/en/blocking-robots-on-your-page/)) which deters 1800 bad bots. That does seem to have made a difference, but not yet solved the problem...
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: leefert on July 09, 2018, 13:23:42
Thank you for your continued diligence in trying to get the issue resolved
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Klickteryx on July 10, 2018, 02:10:31
Told you it was L*go hacking us!  8-)
They try to block everything so no surprise there.




btw I had to refresh the page twice to get this reply page up.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on July 13, 2018, 08:21:41
Not making much progress, unfortunately.  :(

Went back through the old error logs and found the exact point at which this first started happening on June 13. Gave Dreamhost the information and asked them if something changed on the server on that date. This was their reply:

Quote
The only issue was that our admin team
restart the Apache services as they had become unresponsive. The server
has been up and stable ever since however.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.

Basically they are saying everything is OK at their end, so they can’t do anything more to help.

I also requested help at the Simple Machines support forum (SMF) since that is where our forum software comes from. The team there have tried their best but have also been unable to nail down the cause.

What makes this harder is that it happens so randomly. The errors can happen when clicking on any link at any time. It’s so annoying...
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: GrahamB on July 14, 2018, 12:47:47
Thanks for trying, Sylvia. Yes, it keeps happening -randomly- but I for one can live with it. Perhaps it will sort itself out? (As you may be able to tell, I am ignorant in this area!)
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on July 14, 2018, 14:35:41
Yes, thanks for your efforts, Sylvia.  It is random.  Yesterday, I thought you'd solved it, but today not.  As Graham says, it's something which can be lived with.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on July 15, 2018, 22:43:12
As Graham says, it's something which can be lived with.

Thanks for the understanding, but I don't think we shouldn't have to settle for a forum that only half works.

Still trying to get to the bottom of it. The problem is the 500 error is one of the vaguest of them all and doesn't provide any detailed information to debug it. It can be caused by many different things, but mostly it will be due to something wrong on the server rather than the forum programming.

I've been told at the smf forum to ask the hosts if they could move our site to a different server rig. This will be the next step.
If they are unwilling to do this, we might just have to find a completely new webhost.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: GrahamB on July 16, 2018, 06:47:04
If service is poor, vote with your feet!
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on July 16, 2018, 08:49:40
I've been told at the smf forum to ask the hosts if they could move our site to a different server rig. This will be the next step.
If they are unwilling to do this, we might just have to find a completely new webhost.

Agh, so much trouble...

Not being able to reproduce the error "on demand" is indeed a major hassle to debug it :( 

Must have been on that "restart" - something that didn't stay "right".. Though I find it odd that only works sometimes. I HATE those. I mean.. GAH.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmovictorian on July 19, 2018, 09:06:16
Good morning dear Friends  :wave:

I succeeded yesterday to post an entire story and I am delighted to confirm that the few error messages I received while doing so certainly did not keep me from delivering the presentation of the Victorian custom figures  :cham:

I maybe every bit of a gentleman on the outside but I am a true pirate at heart  :captain:

Karim
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on July 26, 2018, 07:52:48
Now I got that inconsistency..

Was posting on trading post, got the 500 error... Went back to the Trading Post board.. last post there was not mine.. (I had copied the reply before hitting "post", of course)  Went to the topic again, intending to post the reply again..

But when I opened it, my reply was there..

In the main page it doesn't appear either on the board, but it is listed on the "last posts". I wonder if it will disappear?

 ???
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Hadoque on July 27, 2018, 23:58:02
Every time I want to log in on the forum the last 3 to 4 days, everytime I have to retry because I get that stupid error .
When I then finally succeed to log in and click on "new unread posts", the result = 0 but there certainly are (a few) new threads and new posts  >:(
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on July 29, 2018, 19:26:09
Well, I must have tried most posts I did now 3 or 4 times.

Dang it!  And I have no idea how to track it down, since it appears to be so random :(
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: bml87 on July 29, 2018, 19:33:22
I started to get used to it and I don’t bother about it anymore.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on July 29, 2018, 19:44:25
I started to get used to it and I don’t bother about it anymore.

Doesn't really bother me if I am browsing... If I am posting, it does.  Fortunately, I copy the text for the PROCESS here - and I try to remember to copy before hitting "post". If I didn't, I don't think I'd be up/able to write the thing twice.. right?
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: bml87 on July 29, 2018, 19:53:27
Well, it appears that when I have the error after posting something and I press “refresh”, my post is posted ;-) . I don’t know if it works for everyone, but for me it does. And if you’re in doubt, just press “go back” (when the error appears) and all the text you wrote is still there, but again, this works for me.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: bml87 on July 29, 2018, 19:55:37
It actually just happened with my last post here and look, it’s posted (after I pressed the refresh button)
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on July 29, 2018, 20:00:28
Today, at least, I never managed with the refresh to post after the error.

And going back the text IS there, but somehow the post button does nothing. So, refresh, paste, post. 500. Repeat.  :wall:


Edit: F5 just worked now after the error... It all seems so... random.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on August 07, 2018, 20:09:46
Last time I contacted Dreamhost they suggested upgrading the php version we are using to see if that would fix the problems.

I didn't really want to do this in case it causes other things to break but they said I can change it back if it doesn't work.

I have just done it a few minutes ago, so now we wait and see what happens... :crossed:

I'm not very optimistic, especially since I already received a completely different error message (Method Not Implemented) when trying to post in this topic.  :hmm:
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Hadoque on August 07, 2018, 20:17:05
Sylvia, could you perhaps also change the forum to a secure https connection?

Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on August 07, 2018, 20:24:28
Last time I contacted Dreamhost they suggested upgrading the php version we are using to see if that would fix the problems.

I didn't really want to do this in case it causes other things to break but they said I can change it back if it doesn't work.

I have just done it a few minutes ago, so now we wait and see what happens... :crossed:

I'm not very optimistic, especially since I already received a completely different error message (Method Not Implemented) when trying to post in this topic.  :hmm:

Thank you for going to all the trouble.

I didn't get that new error, but just got a 500 one... :wall:

Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Hadoque on August 19, 2018, 08:33:48
I`m really fed up now with this "internal server error" message, for the onethousandeleventh time I had to try 3 times (closing the homepage and starting a new window) before I could log in on the forum.  :hissyfit:
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on August 19, 2018, 12:51:38
It is annoying indeed...

Problem is, it's so random, I have no idea what could be wrong... and how to track it to fix it :(
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: GrahamB on August 19, 2018, 13:31:41
I`m really fed up now with this "internal server error" message, for the onethousandeleventh time I had to try 3 times (closing the homepage and starting a new window) before I could log in on the forum.  :hissyfit:

That is annoying! Maybe it depends on which browser you use, but I find just refreshing the page sorts the problem out, on both Safari and Firefox.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on August 21, 2018, 21:30:01
Still sending messages to the support team to try and get this mess sorted.

To make matters worse, I just noticed the photo album link no longer works.
Most likely because of the recent change to the php setting.
Will try and put that right as soon as I can.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on August 22, 2018, 07:36:02
Thanks Sylvia!
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmovictorian on October 12, 2018, 10:59:54
Good morning dear Friends  :wave:

I hope that you are all well.

I am delighted to confirm that all my postings went like a letter in the mailbox so the system is back in business  :love:

Thank you so much for sorting this out dear Sylvia  :)

Karim
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Sylvia on October 12, 2018, 20:07:24

It does appear to be running more smoothly at the moment.

I also noticed yesterday that I was able to navigate several pages in succession, post, etc without hitting any errors.

Fingers crossed (and toes - for Tahra ;)) that it stays that way!  :crossed: :crossed:
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on October 12, 2018, 20:14:01
Fingers crossed (and toes - for Tahra ;)) that it stays that way!  :crossed: :crossed:

 ;D

I did get the error yesterday, but don't remember it today..
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: leefert on October 13, 2018, 01:41:07
I had the error yesterday, but haven’t experienced it yet today- so hopefully it’s behind us.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Hadoque on February 05, 2019, 20:41:26
It´s back. I get it all the time today  >:(
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: PlaymoFrankJon on February 05, 2019, 21:17:45
I'm getting the error too!
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on February 07, 2019, 15:59:02
Got it today too :( 
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: playmofire on February 07, 2019, 17:04:16
Three times today for me.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: leefert on March 13, 2019, 16:13:11
I got it again today. Each time I’ve replied to a topic and tried to move onto the next, including this post.
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: tahra on March 13, 2019, 16:26:55
It's been happening randomly again, yes...
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: Hadoque on March 13, 2019, 21:06:29
We´d might have to call it "Eternal Server Error"...  ::)
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: leefert on March 14, 2019, 02:08:41
We´d might have to call it "Eternal Server Error"...  ::)

 :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Title: Re: frequent "Internal Server Error"
Post by: jodawill on March 14, 2019, 21:57:42
How is this site hosted? Is it a managed service, or is it running someone's little web server somewhere?