Error in mod installation

You have just tried to install a mod using the package manager and the screen indicates that the mod had several failures.

First of all: ALWAYS TAKE A BACKUP of your forum files, and database before applying any mods, especially if manual intervention is required. (Yes, SMF does make a copy of the files that the mod instructions tell it to edit (those are the *.php~ files that you may see in your forum directories) but taking a clean, manual backup is always the safe choice.

So, you see the following after attempting to install a new mod.

   1. Execute Modification    ./index.php    Test successful
   2. Execute Modification    ./Themes/default/BoardIndex.template.php    Test failed
       1. Add After    ./Themes/default/BoardIndex.template.php    Test successful
       2. Replace    ./Themes/default/BoardIndex.template.php    Test failed

This means that the code which the mod is attempting to find, in order to perform the modification instruction (add before, add after, or replace) has been changed, either by another mod, by the admin manually making changes to the code, or because the mod you are attempting to install is for a different version of the file(s).

You can still try to install the mod, but you will have to MANUALLY make changes to the "failed" files.

If you click on the EDIT icon to the left of the instruction which failed, a pop-up will be generated indicating the specific instruction (the code being looked for and the code to be added or replace).

Take note of these instructions (if there is more than one failure, copy each instruction to a text editor for later use.) and click the Install Now button. You will receive a warning that the mod will not fully install, click OK.

At this point, your mod is mostly installed (depending on the number of failures).

Now, using an FTP program or your site's file manager, open and edit the files in which the system had noted failures.

Be Aware: The code which is listed in the mod instructions is not present in the exact form listed. If it was, the system would have been able to do the automatic instruction. This means that you will have to use some human intuition to find the code which you are looking for. It may be as simple as a difference in leading spaces... or another mod may have already significantly altered the searched for lines.

Once you have found the correct section of code, perform the instruction. Add before, Add after or Replace. If the instruction is Replace, you will have to again, be careful. If another mod has already altered this section of code, simply replacing the code may cause errors in your previously installed mod(s).

Once you have edited the file with the appropriate code, save it and, if using ftp, upload the altered file to your system.

See Also

• Manual Installation of Mods