installation frustration

I have created a database in my cPanel.

The DB name is xxxxx_modx

The modx installation screen offers a default for the next field (table prefix) of modx_

it also offers defaults of

Connection method: and the drop down defaults at SET CHARACTER SET
Collation offers a single drop down default: utf8_gebera_ci

(and BTW, as professional writer, this is the first time I’ve ever seen the word "collation" used to mean anything other than a light meal). What does it mean here? I have installed dozens of php/mysql scripts and never have seen that word. Is there some other term more commonly used?

When I offer the db name that I defined in cPanel and leave the defaults, it returns "failed"

So I went back to cPanel and deleted the DB and accepted the installation screen offer to create the db, it too returns "failed."

It strikes me strange that the installation fields for the DB never ask for the DB password. I can’t see how it wouldn’t fail, but what do I know?

So where do I go from here?

Hello,

On cpanel servers you need to create the DB, DB User (and password), and give the user permission to the DB. You would then enter this information in the modx install (yes, it ask for the password) and you should be able to progress from there. Oh, the DB Hostname or Server Name should be "localhost" (no quotes).

As for the light meal you can find out more here: http://oregonstate.edu/cws/docs/collation

AMDbuilder

First of all, thanks for the prompt help. It is greatly appreciated.

I see that you are correct that it asks for the username and pw - I am not accustomed to the way it iss asked here. Anyway, clicking on

Click here to test your server connection and get the available collations

returns

Connection to host: passed - collations now available

But I am still stuck at the next step. I am being very careful to enter the db name correctly in the next step (xxx_modx). I am using the exact db name that I created in the cPanel - and yes I am aware of and did the 3 steps (db name, user name/pw and add user to db. )

After doing that, I left the defaults (for lack of anything else) as

Table prefix:
Connection method:
Collation:

and clicked on

Click here to create your database or to test the selection of your database

But it returns, "Checking database: failed - could not create database"

I note it says "could not create" but i didn’t ask it to create. I clicked to test the selection. It mystifies me why it should say it cannot create when that has already been done. I already chose the the option of creating one and the system says it recognizes it. So is this a step I should be skipping? Or is there some error I am not seeing?

Hello,

Did you test the connection to the server first?

AMDbuilder

If that’s what this means, yes

"Anyway, clicking on

Click here to test your server connection and get the available collations

returns

Connection to host: passed - collations now available"

Hey,

That’s correct! Once you have that list you should be able to select the coalition you want (uft8_general_ci is good choice) then you click the link under that and it should create the tables. If it gives you an error it should tell you what coalition to use. After that you should be able to move along to the next page without any problems.

AMDbuilder

edit: See if a video here might help too: http://www.tipsfor.us/category/software/modx/

How about I PM a screenshot?

OK, I just did.

That works. Response sent.

Re: Your question about the word "collation" --

The short answer is that it’s a named set of rules for comparing characters in a character set. Think of sorting a list of non-english words, some of which are accented. The DB has to know what to do with à, å, ç, etc. in order to sort correctly.

A longer answer is here: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/charset-general.html

First of all, a big thank you to AMDbuilder who helped me through the first hurdle. For those who encounter the same problem, the install interface asks for "database login name" but what that wants is what you probably created in cPanel as "database USER name." It is the bi_word made of the domain account name connected by an underscore to the word you chose as your db user name (domain_user).

Unfortunately, the install screen invites you to validate what you entered. In my case, it passed and gave me the green text approval message even though I had only entered the second half of the user name.

Now I must move on to the next frustration.

Moving along in installa tion screens, I came to:

Pre-install validation

Setup has carried out a number of checks to see if everything’s ready to start the setup.

Checking PHP version: OK!

Checking if Register_Globals is off: OK!

Checking if sessions are properly configured: OK!

Checking if assets/cache directory exists: OK! (It didn’t but I created it. I’m wondering why it was left out of the zip I downloaded.)

Checking if assets/cache directory is writable: OK! (and I modded it to 777 - why do the instructions assume that I know that number. What wopuld it take to offer that simple advice to others?)

Checking if assets/cache/siteCache.idx.php file is writable: FAILED! (Well of course it failed. It is not writable because my upload did not include the file. Should I create one and upload it?)

Checking if assets/cache/sitePublishing.idx.php file is writable: FAILED! (same story. No file in the upload. I am beginning to think I have a defective upload here? Again, am I expected to create an empty file of that name and upload it? Would that work? ).

At this point I need to pause while I request help with those questions. Anyone, please?