Problems with Removal of Session ids (phpBB)

[yfs1]

I reccently removed the session ids from a new forum using a popular phpBB approved Mod. Everything worked although I have one or two members that sometimes need to sign in twice for the login to work.

They don't get an error. Usually what happens is they log in, post, see that they posted as a guest, and then have to re login (at which point it works)

Is this a common issue when session id's are removed?

If so, does it indicate a setting they need to change in regards to cookies to make sure their log in always works.

Cheers

[just-4-teens]

this happens quite a lot too me, i always put it down to having 2 phpbb forums on same domain and just thought the cookies were clashing or something, but it could be to do with the session id removal but i deffo have to login twice before it keeps me logged in.

[yfs1]

If it helps, I only have the one forum on that domain. I read the explanation on why session ids were needed and it had said something about being for people who don't have cookies enabled.

That led me to the assumption I made. The fact that the second log in works is what confuses me.

[blinxdk]

How about just disabeling session id's for googlebot and other crawlers? All the SEO benefits and you keep from annyoing your users.

I know it doesn't answer the question, but it does solve the problem.

[just-4-teens]

it dosnt (i dont think) since if he is using same mod as me it only removes session ids for guests (ie spiders) and not members.

it must be a cookies problem, maybe they are not being correctly written to the user?

[yfs1]

How about just disabeling session id's for googlebot and other crawlers?

I don't think thats quite as easy as it sounds. Hence the mentioned Mod.

If you have a tutorial on doing it though, put up a link as I will give it a try

[blinxdk]

yfs1: I used something like this what is found on this link: http://www.devside.net/web/config/phpBB - it looks at the useragent.

I do think I actually found it here in the forum, but lost the link - I did make one other modification that I took from some mod, can't remember what is is though, but I do not belive it's needed.

I constantly see googlebot in my logs and have heard of no users with login problems.

[robokoder]

POst this on phpbb.com phpbb support forum. You'll have access to the entire bb support team.

[minstrel]

It's not a problem with the MOD, yfs1 -- I have it running on three forums and I don't get that problem.

Do you allow Guest posting? Check the Permissions for your forums and ensure that all are set to "Registered".

Are ALL members having this problem? or only certain ones? If the latter, are those having the problem members who were active before you applied the MOD? You may be able to correct this by having them do the following:

1. Manually log off from the forum.
2. Delete all cookies for the domain.
3. Log back in.

[just-4-teens]

i found the problem i think, i have 2 diff phpBB forums, ones 2.1.3 and ones 2.1.5 (with the build in re-auth script when you try accessing admin) and this problem only happens to me on the new on (2.1.5) what version is yours?

[yfs1]

Both of mine (on different sites) are the latest.

However both allow Guests to post. I am assuming by Minstrels post that I can't do that?

[minstrel]

The current version is 2.0.17. You really should upgrade those forums. If you use EasyMod and grab the update files, it takes only a matter of minutes and preserves all your customizations and MODs.

[yfs1]

I am already 2.0.17 ;)

[minstrel]

Both of mine (on different sites) are the latest.

However both allow Guests to post. I am assuming by Minstrels post that I can't do that?
You can, but it's inadvisable for several reasons... including (1) it encourages spammers, and (2) it can be confusing to members since they don't know until after they post that they're not signed in.

It may be creating the problem with double log-ins too, since Guests have session IDs disabled.

[yfs1]

It may be creating the problem with double log-ins too, since Guests have session IDs disabled.
This will be the main reason I don't allow guests to post. On my support forum, I didn't want people to have to register but I will just turn off email verification and use the text image to make it as easy as possible.

I will turn off guest posting for a while and see if there are any issues

[yfs1]

Can you do that universally or do I need to change the forum permisions on every individual category?

I thought there was a single setting but I may be thinking of my old forum software.

[minstrel]

It has to be done individually.

There is a MOD however that will list the permissions for the whole board on one page -- that simplifies it.

I'll find it and post it for you.


Edit: here you go...

Forum Permissions List MOD
MOD Author: Graham < phpbb@grahameames.co.uk > (Graham Eames) http://www.grahameames.co.uk/phpbb/
MOD Description: This MOD provides a summary listing of the permissions for all of your forums on one screen, with brief tooltip explanations of what that permission setting means, as well as integrated editing of the permissions for either an individual forum, or for an entire category in one go.

MOD Version: 1.0.0
Installation Level: Easy
Installation Time: 5 Minutes
Files To Edit: language/lang_english/lang_admin.php
Included Files:
admin_forumauth_list.php
auth_forum_list_body.tpl
auth_cat_body.tpl

For Security Purposes, please Check: http://www.phpbb.com/mods/ for the latest version of this MOD.

[RectangleMan]

This is a cookie issue. I had the same problem and I narrowed it to the cookie and fixed it.

http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=228741