Change URL for MSM site

Hi,

That error usually happens when your database configuration is missing or incorrect.

First, you should check that all of the permissions for your site files are set correctly on the new server. Then make sure the values in your system/user/config/config.php are set correctly.

Right, but the main site and other MSM sites I have set up all work fine. There is no different/separate database setting when setting up MSM sites, so I’m not sure why it would be a database connection issue.

Does the index.php file for the new site point to the correct system folder? Also are you using any type of dynamic config, like the Master Config add-on? That would be my first guess.

Yes, it does point to the correct system folder. I did not change the system folder when I moved the files since the system folder is still the same.

I do not have any type of dynamic config file in place.

Ok, are you sure that your new domain is pointing to where you think it is? I’d try placing a new static file in the same folder as your new Site’s index.php file (like an image file) and trying to access it from your browser. Also set $debug to 1 in that Site’s index.php file to force any potential errors to be visible.

I am able to view static files in the browser.

When I turn debugging on, I get the following messages:

A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Notice

Message: Only variable references should be returned by reference

Filename: core/Common.php

Line Number: 242

A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Warning

Message: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /codeigniter/system/core/Exceptions.php:170)

Filename: core/Common.php

Line Number: 408

A Database Error Occurred Unable to connect to your database server using the provided settings.

Filename: core/EE_Config.php

Line Number: 207

What version of ExpressionEngine are you running? Those first two errors indicate that you’re running something very, very old. The last error indicates that the database config isn’t correct. If the other index.php/admin.php files on this install don’t throw that same error, then dynamic config or an improper system path really are the only two logical causes.

EE v 2.5.5 running 3 sites. All 3 work fine with no database connectivity issues at all.

I’m just trying to change the domain for one of the sites.

You can put in a support ticket if you’d like for us to troubleshoot it for you. There really isn’t any other way than the options I mentioned. The index.php file is the only file or code that differs from one MSM site to the next, and config.php/database.php are the only files under user-control that could impact database credentials.

I’m not signed up for a support plan, but thank you for help.

Well v2 stopped receiving support back in April of last year, so just extending an offer. You might also try in Slack, but ultimately it’s probably going to require someone logging in to your environment and giving you a second set of eyeballs.

I know it’s an old install but it would require a pretty massive undertaking to update all of the sites and my client is not prepared to shell out the money since all of the sites are running fine otherwise.

I did try Stack Exchange but no luck there.

Just grasping at straws here, but could it have anything to do with EE thinking I’m adding a 4th site but only have a license for 3?

> Just grasping at straws here, but could it have anything to do with EE thinking I’m adding a 4th site but only have a license for 3?

No, you create new sites in the control panel, and you either have 3 or your have 4. Putting a new index.php endpoint doesn’t affect how many sites you are running, since your index.php file has to reference a valid Site shortname, that you have already made in the control panel.

Or are you saying that you tried to manually hack this in your database to get around your license limitation?