Trouble with WP installation, Need advice

Moderators: I am almost always caught for posting in wrong threads. So, there seems to be an utter lack of understanding on my part. But please inform me at least this time over if this forum is not appropriate for this thread.

I have had a strange problem installing wordpress for the first time through Fantastico suit.
I am running a site (dreamweaver built) for over 2 years and it has 2 WP blogs connected to it.

Now, after Google slapped me, I planned to install WP in the root folder which I tried and failed and reverted to original configuration (simple Dream Weaver pages).

Troubles

1. Fantastico refused to install unless public_html folder's content is removed, which I did after backing up for eventualities
2. Installed WP in the plain folder which shows 404 page sometimes and unauthorised access (something like that) sometimes
3. Restored my site back to the goodold DreamWeaver and called truce
4. Don't know how to proceed but need to install this quickly

I know how easy it is to do it from within Fantastico but don't know how to resolve this tangle now.

1. Should I keep the system files intact while removing content from public_html?
2. what files should be left untouched (confusing as I have 100s of html/php files and countless folders)
3. It may be simple for everyone of you, but can someone list out the necessary files to leave untouched for me, please?

Thank you in advance.
Special thanks to moderators

 

1. "Fantastico refused to install unless public_html folder's content is removed" - I've had experience with this before and can tell you that this only ever happens if you've got files of the same name in your public_html directory. Even folder names can't be the same.

One thing to note is that WordPress is very flexible and has a unique folder and file naming scheme.

Make sure in the public_html folder you do NOT have the following :

• wp-admin (Folder)
• wp-content (folder)
• wp-includes (folder)
• index.php
• xmlrpc.php

With the WordPress installaton most files have the prefix wp- at the beginning of the file name so it's not a problem.

However if it still doesn't work i'd recommend a manual installation.

 

You shouldn't have to remove any files. If you're converting to Wordpress you should enter the files one at a time manually by hand with the Wordpress dashboard. Sounds like you want Wordpress to automatically "convert" your website. The php and HTML files shouldn't cause any problems unless some php files are named same as the Wordpress files. Try removing all the YOU added (not the webhost), and then installing Wordpress. And then adding your files php and/or HTML files manually through the WP dashboard by creating a post or page for each file. The files you add through FTP you'll have to manually link them, Wordpress won't automatically link them.

 

1. I think I confused you. I have tried to install WP in the root folder by keeping the folder box empty in the Fantastico and this is probably why it asked me to remove public_html (Does it mean, it installs a folder by the same name?)
2. Again, I might have confused you. I don't expect the site to get converted to WP automatically.

@ Sbhedges
I'll keep this in mind

 

You install it in public_html

You don't need to enter where the files go or create any folders, it automatically defaults into the public_html or root folder. Just enter your login, password, email, etc. Or your webhosts install of Fantastico isn't working right and you need to contact them or install it manually which isn't that difficult.

If it's an addon domain you'll need to select the domain you want to install it on first.

 

WP can coexist with the other HTML files on the root or any other folder if you manually install it. You just can't have 2 index files be it index.htm, index.html or index.php. WP uses index.php

I suggest manually installing WP in the root folder, or wherever you want it. WP will probably not show until you rename or delete the old index.xxx file. I suggest renaming the old index.xxx file and that should let the index.php file for WP to be shown. All other original files, including the renamed index.xxx file can still be seen by the files direct address. Example: www.yoursite.com/oldindex.html

 

You can have index.php and index.html in the same folder. The html file will override the php file and the html file will show. "Wordpress" just won't have a homepage, the rest will be functional.

 

Sorry guys, there seems to be something I don't understand with this.

Despite a positive installation report by Fantastico, the site returns a 404.

Installation report - success but does the page loads? No (404)

Changed
index.php to oldindex.php
same result
in addition to the above, changed
.fantasticodata to oldfantasticodata
public_html to oldpublic_html

and installed it alternately into the folder new public_html as well as left the Fantastico suite to create its own public_html. No avail.

It installs and works nicely on other folders
http://healthgenie.org/blogs
http://healthgenie.org/abs-diet
http://weightloss.healthgenie.org/

Let me talk to the server admin and get back to you guys. Thanks so far, for all your time and suggestions.

 

Sounds like something the tech guys at your webhost needs to correct.

 

Sorry to hear this is still not solved.

I'd seriously recommend you ask your webhost to install it or try a manual install if you can.

 

@ bob25 and Sbhedges

reported this to the webhost and waiting for their feedback. Till now, they have replied asking for a couple of information. Waiting...

 

Yeah that's why I switched to Hostgator, they have toll-free 24 hour tech support. One hosting company I USED to use said "it's was a long 3 day weekend so the employees were enjoying the time off"... well, yeah... I WAS planning on getting a lot of work done. Got tired of playing email tag.

 

is register_global on or off ?

 

The finally did it yesterday. Not that they were lousy but every time I emailed them, there was a new man handling it albeit not in the best of fashions you expect. It took time yes, but it's only my time that's lost (from their point of view, that is)