Can someone really (details!) help me with FTP for an ADDON domain --just not workin

[Kellyp42]

Ah. I can't believe this answer. It does NOT assist me.

Can someone give me WHAT to use to FTP this?

Ben from Hostgator gave me wonderful assist last night, you can tell he was a 'peson' who truly has your back and won't shoot over generic messages. (Most who ask questions are newbies like myself )

I am enclosing what I asked below (my email ticket to hostgator support) and immediately below this (that I am typing now) the response I got back. It didn't clarify. I know I want to upload TO the ADDON domain public_html...but I am having trouble getting my FTP to go through. I really would appreciate any help .

Here is the latest response which does NOT assist (it seems like a cut and paste response).

(Read my FULL inquiry below (very detailed). Somehow, FTP is NOT letting me in to my addon domain....I tried many options.)

Now, I am asking the forum support because it is hard just sitting around waiting and not being able to work on your account as you all know.

Any help is appreciated.

(I am using ACEFTP3 but I also have SMARTFTP)

Thanks to anyone who can help me...I appreciate it!!

Kelly



On Dec 13, 2007 11:32 AM, HostGator Support <support@hostgator.com> wrote:
Hello


Addon domains are set up to point to subfolders of public_html, so to upload an addon domain, be sure to upload to the correct folder.


Nathalie V.

Hostgator Support
http://support.hostgator.com


(Now, below is my original thing I sent in that Nathalie responded to. Edited to remove my personal stuff )

On Dec 13, 2007 10:14 AM, Kelly wrote:

Thank you, Ben!

I am almost there!

...for the sending to my ADDON domain, NOT my base main account...NOT that...

HOW do I send it? I watched your Cute and etc. Videos but it didn't explain it. It only explained for the main domain how to FTP.

I know for my main domain it is ftp.xxxxxxx.com BUT what about the addon? I read in your cpanel "you may have to login via FTP to your main account for FTP to work"....however , I was afraid to do that thinking it would automatically "send" my files I have ready to go to my addon to my MAIN account.

I tried this:

ftp.XXXXX.com (always port 21) username pass

*I get authentication failed. BUT, my username it says is good and I know my password is good but it fails to authentication after that point (that is when that response kicks in) .

Which user DO I use? Kelly42_XXXXXXX (the database name one) or "XXXXX" my user-name one? I figured "user", so XXXXX. But, I tried BOTH names.

then, I tried: ftp.xxxxx@XXXXXX.com (same deal on the rest of the info port21,user, password).

And, it didn't like that at all.

Any suggestions? I am almost there.

I tried also FTP.addondomainname.com user: addondomainname@mainaccountdomainname.com and password (valid, I didn't make any typo nor did I use wrong caps or whatever). THAT one seemed to work better than the rest but I get unathenticated response.



I did do a search on "FTP for addon domains" on Hostgator support before emailing you as not to bother.....but didn't see anything. The FTP videos only showed me for the main account domain.

Thanks for your help!

Kelly

[Sam]

To connect to you addon domain you need to login to your main domain FTP and go to public_html/addondomain

and upload your files to that folder

[Goddess Dix]

i've tried to set up seperate ftp for addon domains before, and the user/pass works very unpredictably if at all. even with support's help, i wasn't able to make it work the way i had anticipated...it's much easier to use the ftp for your main account and go to the proper folder.

depending on what you're using for ftp, though, if you're worried about accidently overwriting your main site with updates for your addon, when you set up connect for the addon, copy your main domain connection info, but then for the addon, just make sure that the default folder is set to public_html/addondomainfolder/, which will automatically make the proper connection go to the root for your addon.

[Kellyp42]

Thanks for the replies! Now, let me see if miss newbs has this right.

1) Open up my FTP thing (ie: SmartFTP, CuteFTP, whatever).

2) In the spot where it says "ftp." and you fill in the blanks, I should type in my main domain name (with HG) and use THAT user name and password (NOT my addone user name and password) ??

3) THEN...once it is "connected", I should, IN MY FTP thingie (SmartFTP, CuteFTP, whatever I use), scroll around MY COMPUTER FILES and find the folder I wish to upload to my ADDON domain? Hmm...but would't that go into my main HG account domain? Yes. Are you tellling me, Sam, to, once connected to my main HG account, to scroll around inside my cpanel for that main account and look for my public_html/addon domain folder? Then, what? How would I "upload" my "public_html" file in my computer (a website, so it has a "public_html" folder) to that?

It's a bit confusing to me (sorry!!!).

I AM worried for sure about overwriting my main domain or spilling all this useless junk into a site running fine...so, could you (I know this is being a pain) step-by-step explain this?

You wrote (Dix w/ the gorgeous head of hair, btw):
when you set up connect for the addon, copy your main domain connection info, but then for the addon, just make sure that the default folder is set to public_html/addondomainfolder/, which will automatically make the proper connection go to the root for your addon.

I just don't get what this means..."when you connect for the addon" and "copy your main info" (how? where?) "default folder" not sure what it is....etc. I'm sorry to be such a newb

If you or anyone can help me via a step by step (as I don't get the terminology stuff...I try!!).

I wonder why it seems difficult to upload right into an addon domain? Seems like it should be a straight shot if you set up the addon domain w/ mysql and have an ftp addy for it, you know???

Thanks again for your quick response and I really really appreciate it! IF you can (anyone) assist me anymore, please do

Kelly

[slapshotw]

Yes, as Sam said--just connect to your main account's FTP using your main account's username and password, and there will be a folder in there for your addon. Just upload the files into that.

The folder for the addon domain IS the public_html folder for that domain. So, just upload the contents of the public_html on your computer into the addon domain's folder.

[gwyneth]

I think two things may be confusing the OP: the mechanics of FTP and what it does after it connects.

For the first, to connect may take trying several variations of user name, site, and account--each FTP program seems to have slightly different terms.

For the second, you should see your entire directory at HG if you log onto your "main" account. Just navigate through the folder structure--you can't hurt or overwrite anything before you press the upload button. You should see the addon folder inside the www folder--if you open the addon folder, you're set on that end.

Then, in the other pane (where you see your own computer), navigate through the directories (folders) until you find what you want to upload.

It's all designed to achieve very specific results. Plus the default for most ftp progams is set to alert you before you overwrite anything and ask you whether you want to.

To get familiar with your HG directory structure, you can use cPanel's File Manager--it may give you a clearer idea of what's there.

[Goddess Dix]

Originally Posted by Kellyp42

1) Open up my FTP thing (ie: SmartFTP, CuteFTP, whatever).

2) In the spot where it says "ftp." and you fill in the blanks, I should type in my main domain name (with HG) and use THAT user name and password (NOT my addone user name and password) ??

yes, that's exactly it.

3) THEN...once it is "connected", I should, IN MY FTP thingie (SmartFTP, CuteFTP, whatever I use), scroll around MY COMPUTER FILES and find the folder I wish to upload to my ADDON domain? Hmm...but would't that go into my main HG account domain? Yes. Are you tellling me, Sam, to, once connected to my main HG account, to scroll around inside my cpanel for that main account and look for my public_html/addon domain folder? Then, what? How would I "upload" my "public_html" file in my computer (a website, so it has a "public_html" folder) to that?

It's a bit confusing to me (sorry!!!).

it is confusing. but the addon domain folder is the home for a completely different site from your main domain. so you can upload your files directly to that folder and it will show up for your addon domain, just the same as if you had a whole different hosting account for the addon.

I AM worried for sure about overwriting my main domain or spilling all this useless junk into a site running fine...so, could you (I know this is being a pain) step-by-step explain this?

ok....in your ftp program, set up a new connection for your addon with the same username and pass as your main. but somewhere in your program, there will be a place to set connection properties, where you put in your default start folder for the connection. for your main domain connection, it will be public_html as the default folder. for your ADDON domain connection, the only difference will be that the folder will be public_html/addon/. this gives you exactly the same effect as sam's suggestion that you just browse to the right folder because it's still going to the same place, but by setting it up as a different saved connection in your ftp program, you don't have to worry that you might forget some day when you're distracted or whatever. make more sense?

You wrote (Dix w/ the gorgeous head of hair, btw):

thanks. i get mixed reviews on the hair, but i love it.

If you or anyone can help me via a step by step (as I don't get the terminology stuff...I try!!).

hopefully my more detailed explanation above is a lilttle clearer.

I wonder why it seems difficult to upload right into an addon domain? Seems like it should be a straight shot if you set up the addon domain w/ mysql and have an ftp addy for it, you know???

yeah. but the cpanel software has it's own quirks, and that's one of em. it's easy enough to get around it, but it tends to be confusing right off.

peace out.

[Goddess Dix]

p.s. by setting your connection properites to go to the "public_html/addon/" folder, i don't mean the word "addon" literally, i mean the name of your addon domain folder, which is set up when you make your addon domain and will be the domain name itself without the .com or whatever extension.

if you use smartftp, i can do a stepbystep for you if this doesn't get it.

[Kellyp42]

Ok..thanks, everyone!

This made sense reading through it all...I guess my fear was my belief that once I hit "connect" my FTP just "uploads" automatically whatever is in the screen below (all the folders)....so, I thought If I signed on to my main account, I'd have NO TIME (I'm fast but not that fast! lol) to scroll around to my addon public_html folder and my computer to get that folder to upload...I thought "wisK" everything would be uploaded to a big pile of mush.

Ok...I'll LOOK for the SMARTftp "upload" button first so I know it is there LOL as I have not used it in years. Once I see it, I'll be able to breath and try to connect to my main account....calmly look for my addon folder I want to upload to (public_html for it) and calmly look at my computer files to find the folder and then hit UPLOAD...and hopefully then rejoice!! lol

Oh...question: In my computer, my "file" i want to upload is a folder. The entire deal. Can you upload a folder??? There are so many files in it. Or, maybe I open the file in my computer ftp viewer and "show" them all and then hit upload and it takes them all?

Once I do this one, I'll be so happy as I should be able to get my others up and going No better feeling than "I did it!" so empowering. I sure hope I feel empowered and not disempowered when I do this LOL *crosses fingers and toes*

Thanks everyone...I'll check it out and try to implement all this. I'll be back if I can't do it...but it sounds right now that you all detailed this more.

Kelly

[slapshotw]

Yes, you can upload a folder. Good luck!

[Kellyp42]

Folks!

Whew! I basically did it!!! Whoo-woo!! You just rock for helping me and making it make sense. This would be a good thing for them to make a cheater-sheet on for other newbies who need to do this.

Now--one more question

My site looks pretty much "done" but 1 file is holding it up from kicking in right.

I am only seeing the "index" (wanna see? check out my site: www "thesecandlesrock" dot com

Do you know if that has something to do with htaaccess file? Or what?

I see when I click that I get this:
Warning: mysql_connect() [function.mysql-connect]: Access denied for user 'user_test'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in /home/kelly42/public_html/thesecandlesrock/public_html/includes/functions/database.php on line 19
Unable to connect to database server!

BUT...I go to this file and look around (esp. around line 19) and just don't see that there to edit. Does this mean this file didn't load originally and I need to reload it?

Any help appreciated! I can't believe I got this far (this is my first time) so thanks so much!

Kelly

[Goddess Dix]

ok, looks like you made your own public_html folder, which is now on the server in the automatically generated public_html folder. delete the public_html folder from the server and upload your stuff again...you can upload a whole folder at a time, but the directory structure has to be the same from what you upload and the server.

so on the server, you will have public_html/index.php for example

on your home machine, you uploaded public_html folder, into the public_html folder on the server. so it made the server have public_html/public_html/index.php. see?

also check the configuration file for the program you have connecting to the database; it may not have the proper username and password (or it may be because of the folder issue).

[GvilleRick]

Unable to connect to the database server usually means that the user has not been given permissions to access the database. In your cPanel under the MySQL options you must create the database and the user and then use the drop down menu to add the user to the database. That last step is most often the one that is missed.

[Goddess Dix]

Originally Posted by Kellyp42

Do you know if that has something to do with htaaccess file? Or what?

I see when I click that I get this:
Warning: mysql_connect() [function.mysql-connect]: Access denied for user 'user_test'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in /home/kelly42/public_html/thesecandlesrock/public_html/includes/functions/database.php on line 19
Unable to connect to database server!

this means there is a configuration issue with your program that connects to the database. first fix the folder issue i just mentioned. that might fix it right there, or maybe not...then check your config file for the software that you're running to make sure you have the right username/password for your database.

if you're not sure if you have the right username/pass for the database, go into your hosting control panel, choosing the mysql options. it will list database names and users that are allowed to use them. you may have to create the user and attach to the database. we can help walk you through it if necessary.

you're getting there!

[Kellyp42]

Dix,

I hear you on what I did...I did indeed upload the folder "public_html" so it did make it twice...so I hear you on that.

I can go and delete this "public_html" folder I made...however, how do I upload it?

I was just copying and pasting to my "thesecandlesrock" folder inside my main HG account..... went to "public_html" and then I saw my "thesecandlesrock" folder...opened that and pasted. So, I understand I should not, but how do I upload this then? (Do I need to change it to another name on my folder in my computer before uploading to say "index.php" I don't think so...I think it generates that and I'd be with the same issue.

Ok..so, I just need to know what to do when I 1) open my "thesecandlesrock" folder in my public_html....how do I upload my "public_html" on my computer folder to this area w/o adding another "public_html" deal like I just did???

Thanks and sorry to be a pest.

Kelly

[gwyneth]

You've got two choices, one safer than the other.

In your local pane, open up the public_html folder. In the HG pane, open up the public_html folder. In your local pane, choose "select all"...once it's selected, press the upload button.

The other choice, which really has no advantages here, but I'm describing so you know a little more about the mechanics, is to upload the local folder, as folder, into the HG directory in which the HG folder is, choosing to replace the whole thing. That's useful in some situations, but isn't necessary here.

If you're using Windows, the whole file navigation/window thing should resemble other Windows file handling programs (i.e., the 'tree structure' of Windows Explorer). If you're on a Mac, the FTP navigation/window interface should resemble desktop windows.

PS--thanks for getting away from the bold-faced centered large type you used in the first message.

[Kellyp42]

Hi Gwyneth!

Thanks! I'll try that first one.

Yes, I am on a pc and not a mac (although I hear the wonders of a mac and would love to think of getting one to feel the magic lol).

I appreciate it.

PS--you are so welcome I didn't use bold face centered large type! I just used it as emphisis on a few lines (not the entire thing) because I thought my "message" was so long that it might be overlooked...that's all. I am not so newbie where I use caps or bold big letters

Kelly *crossing my fingers* If this works, you all should feel good that you did a big thing helping a total newbie actually bring up an addon site! It's a BIG deal to me! lol I hope one day I look back and grin.

[Kellyp42]

Update:

I tried just "highlighting and uploading" under my "candles" area in my public_html area...but it was a mess that way and I had to take it down. (Didn't work)

Hmmm.

Per Dix's Suggestions:

so on the server, you will have public_html/index.php for example

on your home machine, you uploaded public_html folder, into the public_html folder on the server. so it made the server have public_html/public_html/index.php. see?

XXXX This I understand but don't get what I should upload it as...as a folder named "index.php"? instead of "public_html" ? Or, how should I upload my "public_hmtl" (off my computer files) folder? If I should open it and highlight/copy/paste it in my "candles" folder, where? Should I make a folder and name it what if so?

also check the configuration file for the program you have connecting to the database; it may not have the proper username and password (or it may be because of the folder issue).

XXXXX Yes, I went ahead and re-checked as I know I set up mysql and ftp accounts correctly...so I looked at MY computer folders and found one in which I didn't "find and replace" on...so I updated it to read correctly. So, hope that is the only one left that I missed

Well, at least I understand how to get "in" with my FTP...now, to figure out how to upload a "public_html" marked folder into my addon area. Any suggestions welcomed!! Thanks again, everyone, for taking your valuable time to assist me. I so appreciate it. Big time. Even though I am not "up and going", I sure learned a lot today! I appreciate that.

Kelly

[gwyneth]

I'm not understanding what the problem is. Do you have a file named public_html?

If you open a folder on your local machine, and open the HG folder that will be the destination, you should be able to upload the contents of the former into the latter.

[gtgeorge]

Kelly, if the files and folders you need are in a public_html folder on your local/home computer, you need to open that and then upload the contents of that folder AFTER you open it.

[Goddess Dix]

Originally Posted by Kellyp42

This I understand but don't get what I should upload it as...as a folder named "index.php"? instead of "public_html" ? Or, how should I upload my "public_hmtl" (off my computer files) folder? If I should open it and highlight/copy/paste it in my "candles" folder, where? Should I make a folder and name it what if so?

looking at your site, i see you got your database connection error fixed with changing the username/password. congratulations.

ok....kelly, take your folder on your home computer named "public_html" and rename it something else, like candlesite or whatever. it's clearly confusing you to name both of them the same...now open it up.

INSIDE that folder on your home site, you'll find index.php, your other files and folders, etc. leave it open.

open up your ftp program, and get it to the folder you're trying to put your new site in. if it's the addon domain, then get to the root folder for your addon, which will be /public_html/thesecandlesrock/ (which is a folder named "thesecandlesrock" inside that familiar folder named "public_html". open the thesecandlesrock folder in your ftp program. you will know you're in the right place because you'll see the admin folder you already have uploaded. you're almost ready.

on your home machine in your site folder, hit "control-a" to highlight ALL the files in that folder, and put ALL of them in the "thesecanclesrock" folder you just opened in your ftp program.

got it?

[Kellyp42]

Very understandable! Got it...let me go try to apply it now! LOL Thanks, everyone. (Last time I uploaded it just the contents into my addon folder it looked bad and was not working BUT I had that database error going on then, and maybe THAT made it all mush...maybe now that that is fixed it'll work! Weee! Hope so! It seems so black and white....lol I can't believe I have been having a hard time. Will attempt this later when I get a chance and let you know how it goes. If it works, a round on me! hahaha)

Kelly