I'm trying to install SilverStripe-v2.3.1.tar.gz on a hosted (shared) windows environment but im having no luck.
If I leave the .htaccess file I get the following message and then it dies.

"Installing SilverStripe...

I am now running through the installation steps (this should take about 30 seconds)

If you receive a fatal error, refresh this page to continue the installation
# Creating 'assets' folder...
# Creating 'mysite/_config.php'...
# Creating '.htaccess' file...
# Building database schema..."

If I remove the .htacess file it wont install at all. I thought Windows servers don't need .htaccess files?

Anyway I've installed Silverstripe on 10 other occasions with no problems - except they were all Linux boxes and I have no option but to use Windows for this install.

If it helps the url is:
http://d1217-1.mysite.westnethosting.com.au/empireclinic.com.au/cms/install.php

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Hi Vantageous

Is that all you see? Does it give you any error messages?

I don't think it's anything to do with the .htaccess, I would leave it there.

I'm trying to install on IIS6 too and having similar problems. It gets to "building database schema" and then says this:

Notice: Undefined index: url in e:\inetpub\esvc0010\silverstripe\sapphire\dev\Debug.php on line 309

Notice: Undefined index: REQUEST_URI in e:\inetpub\esvc0010\silverstripe\sapphire\dev\DebugView.php on line 72
[User Error] DB::connect: Not passed a valid database config
POST

Line 66 in e:\inetpub\esvc001058\silverstripe\sapphire\core\model\DB.php

When I look at mysite/_config.php instead of the $databaseConfig array it just has a $database string, but maybe that was changed from 2.3.0 to 2.3.1.

... will keep trying I guess ... IIS sucks, hey? ;-)

Okay, I had a look at the mysite/_config.php on an installed 2.3.1 and it's similar to the _config.php in 2.3.0. I found this page:

http://cubiksoundz.blogspot.com/2008/12/tech-note-installing-silverstripe-cms.html

Which is sort of helpful... and talks about a similar error.

Do you get a warning about not being able to unlink mysite/_config.php?

If I manually upload a _config.php with the correct $databaseConfig it still doesn't work - now it complains about not being able to connect to mysql on localhost, when I have already set it to NOT use localhost.

Thanks for your replies David.

I checked that link but unfortunately I'm on a shared server and can't install any third party add-ons.
My hosting provider also got back to me and said that they use "ISAPI rewrites" and don't support "mod_rewrites".
Now im on the hunt to see if i can get around this "rewrite" issue.

IIS does suck :-)

I'm on a shared server too, and close to getting my client to switch hosts. I think I got it installed but now nothing happens, and I think it's because of the URL rewrites.

One thing that seemed to make the install work was giving all silverstripe IUSR access. I don't understand IIS permissions but apparently PHP doesn't use the permissions of IIS, it has its own user... I think :)

You might wish to try a webhost with IIS 7 so that you can use the URL Rewriter.
You may also wish to use the Web PI installer - see recent blog post - but I doubt a web farm will have that set up.

Thanks Sigurd. Yes it looks like we're going to change hosts. The current host wants $300+/month AUD for hosting on a IIS7 server - so I think we'll swap to a Linux shared host for around $10/month and everything will be good :-)