Phorum Support Forums - 5.2 Phorum Support

Re: PHP 8.x

slashbin — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:40:46 -0400

I have managed to update the code on my website to make Phorum work with the latest versions of MySQL and PHP using Claude Code. Of course, as a result, I have now a completely customized version of Phorum, but it could be a working approach to update Phorum.

After 4 days of chasing my tail, I think i have resigned to failure..

Rob Granger — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:48:27 -0500

finally got a good build of php with all the modules, but could never get previews to display. Tried neutering the js to just post the image without scaling but that failed.
Attempt 2, that was several days, I thought I was on track with Centos7, even got php 5.3.29 going (as close as I could to centos 6 5.3.3) and still can't get previews to display. Clicking the error will bring up the full image, but no joy on preview.
I think that is about a close as I am going to get, so, resigned to stick on C6 util the board dies.

if anyone has a brilliant idea, or just an idea, I may tackle this again.

Thanks
Rob

Re: Ohhh, I had to be that person, i hope I can be forgiven 5.2.12a and embedded_images on Centos7

Rob Granger — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:24:42 -0500

I just uploaded an image, and i can read that back, older images hang on the scaling jig.

old: won't scale
stat 3943
  File: '3943'
  Size: 264236    	Blocks: 520        IO Block: 4096   regular file
Device: fd02h/64770d	Inode: 51949011    Links: 1
Access: (0755/-rwxr-xr-x)  Uid: (  502/    ppbb)   Gid: (  502/    ppbb)
Access: 2025-11-27 19:19:44.823000000 -0600
Modify: 2025-10-03 09:24:40.000000000 -0500
Change: 2025-11-27 19:18:59.350000000 -0600

new : does scale and display
stat 3944
  File: '3944'
  Size: 497579    	Blocks: 976        IO Block: 4096   regular file
Device: fd02h/64770d	Inode: 40145549    Links: 1
Access: (0755/-rwxr-xr-x)  Uid: (  502/    ppbb)   Gid: (  502/    ppbb)
Access: 2025-11-27 19:20:37.468000000 -0600
Modify: 2025-11-27 19:16:19.157000000 -0600
Change: 2025-11-27 19:18:59.350000000 -0600

Ohhh, I had to be that person, i hope I can be forgiven 5.2.12a and embedded_images on Centos7

Rob Granger — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 19:50:19 -0500

I have been running centos 6, but that has just become so outdated I had to try and make a move.
Tried debian 12 first, now trying Centos 7. I have almost everything working except the embedded images module. It crashes trying to genearate the preview with 500. I have gd and image magic installed and php 5.6.40 running the lightspeed webserver. I have been out of coding for so long, but have spent 30 hours probably on chatgpt trying to sort it out...Now that was a tail chaser.
is this worth pursuing to do I just leave the thing on centos 6.
Thanks in advance
Rob
[edit] I saw something about the string functions being sensitive to timezone, and they are both CST.

Request URL
[www.ppbb.com]
Request Method
GET
Status Code
500 Internal Server Error
Remote Address
10.20.0.194:80
Referrer Policy
strict-origin-when-cross-origin

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:51:55 -0400

Hi!

Removed "ON" in Tidy Output mod and all the problems disappeared. I'm happy...

Thanks for great Phorum!

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 06:14:24 -0400

Beg your pardon, Scott, I was too hasty - not everything is OK, problems appeared with mods:

1. User Avatar (version 3.0.4) - no avatars (pictures) is displayed, instead just only appropriate Alt,
though pict is loading with no error (Phorum v. 5.2.20)

2. Embed Images (version 1.1.5) - no pict (3.8 Kb) as well, debugging shows:
Image error
Debug info:
Load local file: 3212
Load local image file
Create thumbnail using 80x80 boundary
Original image was 100x100
Thumbnail created at 80x80
Thumbnail MIME type: image/png
OK 100x100 80x80
open image URL" .

When open image URL only small square is displayed. I use jQuery FancyBox, Download test (tries to load [www.google.com]) is "NOT OK".

I tried to change all other image viewers, result was the same... Is there any idea?

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:32:48 -0400

Thanks Scott! Just changed server and tariff plan, now all is OK

Re: Close registrations?

Scott Finegan — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:51:07 -0500

If you rename it, it should get a 404.
If you put in a substitute file you could redirect to the list page.
OR add it to a .htaccess as a redirect.

That register link is built by the phorum code
see phorum_get_url.php search on register.

Re: Close registrations?

Nicolas — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:40:50 -0500

Ah yes that’s definitely a way thanks! :) I was hoping for something from the admin, but maybe I should just do that.

I have lost the FTP credentials a long time ago though, let’s see what I can do ^_^

Re: Convert to SSL

Scott Finegan — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:52:10 -0500

Sorry my computer was down since last Wed.

Create a text file, insert the code below. Name the file ????phpinfo.php where the ???? is replaced with something you choose that will prevent robots from running it, and getting access to things robots should not have access to.

Language: PHP
 phpinfo(); ?>

Put it in your phorum directory, Run it from the urlbar.

Version of php matters? (So we can locate the correct change log at php.net)
Changes have been made by php.net developers that broke phorum code.
Class names may need to be fixed.
Quotes may need to be changed.
Brackets and parentheses may be treated differently.

Version of MySql matters
MySql changed default storage engine from myisam to ???. Search won't work if it was converted.
"Strict" may need to be turned off.

For both php and MySql reserved words have been added.

Browser(s) treat default page handling differently than the old browsers. >> doctype

Re: Close registrations?

Scott Finegan — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:48:56 -0500

Rename

http: //  yourforum.xxx/ForuM/ register.php   (spaces added)
You could also rename the login.php

You could delete it, however if you need it later for some reason, the file is still there.

Edit>> Most bots go directly to register.php
You can change the contents of the register.php to send/redirect the bot to someplace else...

Close registrations?

Nicolas — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:58:24 -0500

I have an old Phorum board that I want to keep for archival, but that is inactive.

It was also getting a lot of spam, which I deleted. I’m also getting several signs-up a day from bot users.

Is there a way to close registrations all together? (right now they are at “Verified by a moderator and via email” but that is not enough.

I also put the forum read-only but it seems like it’s still possible to register.

Thanks!

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 01:42:09 -0500

Logged out, now cannot log in to the forum neither as a member nor as admin. Forum became just only readable

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:56:10 -0500

Oh, tnx.

Put on Event Logging - format_edit_notification Module PHP notice: Undefined index: mod_readable_dates

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:08:13 -0500

Done, but nothing changed :(

In section MODS of Admin
=============
Warning: file_exists(): open_basedir restriction in effect. File(./mods/mod_tidy.php/info.txt) is not within the allowed path(s) /include/api/modules.php on line 119
=============
It's somewhat misty for me...

In addition to it:
- Post Previews does not work
- Avatars are invisible

Re: Convert to SSL

Scott Finegan — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 09:52:46 -0500

If you are using the Spam Hurdles module see attachment.

Re: Convert to SSL

Scott Finegan — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 09:00:13 -0500

Clear the cache from (admin), make sure it is pointed at a directory you can access.
May take multiple tries, times out.
Check that the cache directory is empty.

Event logging turned on in admin? Details usually point to line of code, and or module.

PHP logging available and enabled in the php config, and sent to a directory you can access ?
Event logging in phorum doesn't log everything.

Turn modules off, test, and enable one at a time.

Scott

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:45:34 -0500

Hi!

I tried to rewrite http -> https,

Quote

RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP:X-Forwarded-Proto} !https
RewriteRule ^ [https://]%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301,NE]

then attempted to change a post, after Enter has been put I have became notification “Possible hack attempt detected. The posted form data was rejected.”

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:04:40 -0500

Thanks, Scott/

1. HTTP Path = [https://]...

2. Unfortunately I cannot rewrite http:// cause there are some outgoing links

Nevertheless tnk u

Re: Convert to SSL

Scott Finegan — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 16:59:41 -0500

Go to admin / General Settings / scroll to
"File/Path Settings"
HTTP Path in the box>>> [www.yourwebsite.]??????

Change or add the .htaccess (or Windows equivalent) to rewrite http:// to https://

NOTE *Linux is case sensitive, be sure to match path & directory names exactly...

Re: Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:26:13 -0500

I should add that really my forum is fully readable but unchangeable, that is the problem

Convert to SSL

Svirvic — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 09:18:57 -0500

Hi to everybody!

For the first, thanks and my respect for perfect job – the Phorum.

I have version 5.2.20, it worked OK up to time, but recently I asked my hosters to convert my site into SSL, changed all http with https and suddenly detected that I cannot do any correction and add something: no new theme, no registration… And no message on error. It seems to me there is no connection with database, but I have no idea how to improve the situation.

Please, help, if it is possible

Re: ReCaPTCHA not working

IanScott — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 05:56:51 -0500

Xiphias, thank you so very much for your efforts and providing the file. I can say that it has worked for me on a Phorum site that I am helping to manage!

Again, thank you!

Re: PHP 8.x

herobynight — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:52:18 -0500

So I resolved the issue by using a fix you suggested in another post. I renamed my mod folder and pages display correctly. I still have to test to see which modules are causing the problem.

Thanks

Re: PHP 8.x

Ulf Dunkel — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:04:20 -0500

Well, that's what I experienced after updating my server to PHP 8.0. If you can manage to have PHP errors shown (either directly on the requested web page of your Phorum installation, or e.g. in Server PHP log files), you will see many errors which show that the Phorum source code is kind of outdated and not PHP 8.0 ready.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no Phorum developer who can engage and fix those issues by now.

Re: PHP 8.x

herobynight — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 04:49:59 -0500

I was able to upgrade to php 8 but now my site doesn't. display correctly, error logs shows 500 error from certain php files css.php, javascript.php, register.php etc but others such as login.php give 200.

When i try to login to admin there is no login display.

Re: Fatal error in /include/db/mysql/mysqli.php

Ulf Dunkel — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:14:01 -0400

Thanks for your honest and quick reply, Scott. I totally understand this.

But I cannot go back to older PHP versions for several reasons.

I'd be more than happy if you find some spare time to fix the PHP issues with PHP 8 (hopefully before PHP 9 is released).

Best, Ulf

Re: Fatal error in /include/db/mysql/mysqli.php

Scott Finegan — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 09:35:03 -0400

Back before covid, I was going to go through the code and fix the issues with php 8.x.
Due to family medical issues, that was put on hold, where it remains.

[www.a2hosting.com] Still offers older versions of php.
This phorum is hosted with A2.

Re: Fatal error in /include/db/mysql/mysqli.php

Ulf Dunkel — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 02:42:49 -0400

Thank you, Scott. I checked everything with my phpmyadmin maintenance tools and it reports that all tables are fine so far.

I guess I'm lost using PHORUM with PHP 8 as long as no developers are maintaining the PHORUM source code any longer.

Re: Fatal error in /include/db/mysql/mysqli.php

Scott Finegan — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 18:29:11 -0400

Please note, I have not used these is several years, so I don't know what is up to date.

Mysql workbench manual [dev.mysql.com]
phpmyadmin third party [www.phpmyadmin.net]

There may be others... Google mysql utilities

Some hosts make phpmyadmin available in the website control console.