MySQL Database Setup

Use of MySQL is 100% unsupported as you can see from the site.
http://www.aspbanner.com/mysql.htm

Even still I recently had an encouter with an extremely Jerky person (read the thread above for more on that) and because of him I am adding this tutorial showing one way to set things up on a windows server using the official MySQL tools available.

Let me just say as well that there are 100's of 3rd party tools to work with MySQL databases and many ways to create the database and apply the database creation script. In the past it had to be done via the command line, but now there are a lot of visual tools you can do it with. Furthermore all hosting companies set MySQL up differently and give you access to varius interfaces to manage it which are all different, and that is primarily why I do not support it. How the hell could I support all those different interfaces many of which are totally custom?

The fact is 99% of the people that purchased ASPBanner to use with MySQL have done so without issue and love how it runs. Regardless here is how I set up a working MySQL database on a windows server proving it does indeed run with a MySQL database.

1st of all if you are setting up the server you need to download some things from http://www.mysql.com/ 
(btw: you local developers can install this on XP Pro as well if you like.)

For this article we are going to download the current non beta windows version of MySQL which is 5.0. ALso known as the Windows Essentials (x86) download. It's about 17 meg.

Because ASPBanner uses the MyODBC drivers (now called Connector/ODBC) to connect to the MySQL database you need to download those as well. (Our site flat out says this is required for MySQL use)

So I download those from here. http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/odbc/3.51.html
Version 3.51 has been the current version for a couple years now.
You want the windows driver install which is about 2 meg.

The two downloads should look like this.



Now, on the webserver you run the version 5 setup (mysql-essential-5.0.19-win32.msi) I will guide you through it step by setp.



Hit Next



I am going to choose typical for the sake of this article.

Hit Next



Hit Next



Wait for a bit



I skipped this part.



Choose to configure the MySQL Now

Hit Finish

Hit Next

I am going to choose Detailed Configuration



Since I am on a development machine for this install I am going to choose Developer Machine. For a Real Server choose one of the server options.



For this article I am going to choose Multifunctional Database: You may want to pick one of the other options. That is up to you. ASPBanner will work under any of the scenarios.



I am going to leave the location at its default

Hit Next



Since this is a development machine these options are fine.

Hit Next



These options are fine as well.

Hit Next



Standard is fine for my development machine.

Hit Next



I am going to choose both of these options. The 1st one is Important and should be enabled on a real server so MySQL always runs. The 2nd is not so important.

Hit Next



Set the "root" password and do not forget it. You will need it to manage your MySQL server. I do not advise creating an anonymous account unless it is a development server and you just do not care. Whether you enable root access from remote machines or not is up to you so do some research on that. For this articles needs I am not choosing it.

Hit Next



Hit Execute and wait



If all goes well you will see this. (I actually got an error message about not being able to connect... I went to to Administrative tools/services and restarted the MySQL service and hit retry which cured that... it probably only did this to me since I have installed this before.. new installs probably will not have any trouble)

Hit Finish

Your done.. You just installed the MySQL Server (TIP: its usally a good idea to reboot and make sure the MySQL servce is running by default)

Now, moving on..

Lets install the MyODBC drivers.. (now called Connector/ODBC)

This one is a bit of a no-brainer so I am not going to go into detail.
Just run (mysql-connector-odbc-3.51.12-win32.msi) and run through all the defaults until it is done.. Choose typical when that comes up.

Your done setting up MyODBC on the server. If its not your server I guess you don't need to worry about installing all of this as its your hosts job to do that.

Disallowed Parent Path

The Include file '../dataconn_inc.asp' cannot contain '..' to indicate the parent directory. 

When you get an error like this it is because parent paths are disabled on the web server. This is a setting in the IIS console for your website.

If it is not enabled on you server you will have to ask your host to enable parent paths for your website.

This is what the settings screen looks like on an XP Machine

Additional Information:

It is enabled by default on IIS4-IIS5 but in IIS6 it is disabled by default.
It is a minor security risk to have enabled and some hosts can be difficult about setting it.

Truth is, if your hosting ASP for customers you need to enable this setting if the customer requests it. Especially since 90% of the ASP applications out there require the setting.

Hosting companies should if they are serious about hosting ASP.


If they won't your only option is to go through all the code and convert the file includes to virtual includes.

http://www.powerasp.com/content/code-snippets/includes.asp

The trouble with virtual includes is they are different depending on the layout of your website. (that's why web application developers generally don't use them)

Basically if you are in a sub domain the path for the virtual include is going to be different then if you were in the root.. etc etc

Also.. someone developing on a local machine would need totally different virtual includes on the development server than they would on the live server. Server Side includes are processed before ASP so there is no way to make them SMART, so to speak. Server Side includes are hardcoded and that's that.

In my opinion virtual includes are pretty useless for commercial web based applications...  Since you don't know where the customers plan to install the apps.
And YES there are some tricks when designing the applications that make it less of an issue but they are not perfect solutions.

For example...

The virtual include below would work if the application or code was installed in the root
<!--#include virtual = /somefile.asp"-->

But if the application or code was installed in a directory called "somedirectory" the virtual include directive would need to look like this

<!--#include virtual = "/somedirectory/somefile.asp"-->

Hi -

We are trying to set up ASPProtect 7 so that the user is redirected to a specific web page based on their group membership.

For example, immediately upon successful login:

Group 1 members are directed to page A
Group 2 members are directed to page B
Group 3 members are directed to page C

Users will only ever belong to one group.

We tried to use the Redirect_URL feature but it causes the browser to loop.

Could you let us know exactly how to do this.  We are not ASP programmers and need to work from an example.

Thanks!

Hi-

Thanks for the quick response to my previous posts.

This is my issue:

I have read over all the docs and installation instructions and can't find a way to do this:

my default page in my root dir will be a log in page which will take the user once his level is validated to a "home page". Is there a page in your examples that will perform the function of this log in page? or should I rename check_user_inc.asp as the default and change it's html output to make it look like my log in page?

I also looked within the code for check_user_inc.asp and did not see where to specify where the user will go once he signs in.

Your help is appreciated

I wonder what that ENDSQLMail send failure is all about ?
I dont use anything regarding SQLMAIL in the ASPProtect code.

I think I might need to go in so I can debug a bit. Everything seems to work fine with a SQL installation here so I just don't know at the moment.

If that is ok with you I would need ftp access or something so I can trry a few things and hopefully figure it out. Admin access to the aspprotect admin area as well so I can see what you have set up in there.

PM me with that info if you want me to take a look.

all that docmunetation is online as well right here so you dont really need the chm file
http://support.cjwsoft.com/code/info24.htm

the chm format is a windows format that can only be viewed on windows pcs. I do not know why you can not see it. I would do reseach on viewing CHM files on whatever operating system and version you are running because perhaps you are using a mac or linux operating system which can not natively view chm files ?

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the answer. No, I am not using Paypal since these are employees and sales reps. I guess i'm on my own on this one. :)

Thanks
Sylvain

how you connecting... lets see the connection string...

could be permissions related too.. if they are not set correctly
(always give them to the folder, never just the mdb file)

Some of this might help...

http://support.cjwsoft.com/code/moreinfo11-1.htm

http://support.cjwsoft.com/code/moreinfo136-1.htm

http://support.cjwsoft.com/code/moreinfo56-1.htm

you may want to download some of the different versions of the access database from the support area and try connecting to them as you may have older odbc drivers on the server

You may also want to try to get ASPTest from our website working before you go any further

Chris.

After I had you install ASPProtect I added the ASP protecting code to the top of my home page:

<%@ LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" %>

<% CHECKFOR = "1" %>
<!--#INCLUDE FILE="../../check_user_inc.asp"-->

Then I made my index.html page my login page buy using the script "Login form on a non protected page" on that I changed <form method="POST" action="memberarea.asp"> to <form method="POST" action="home.html">. 

When I try to log on to that page I get en error page HTTP Error 405 - The HTTP verb used to access this page is not allowed. Internet Information Services (IIS). I checked with my hosting company GoDaddy.com and they informed me that due to the fact that they do not have ASPProtect instaled on there systems they can not support it.  In recent conversations you told me that you have customers that do use godaddy and you products. 

Can you please tell me what I can do to get this working?

Thank you for your time and help.

hello,

There is no built in option. You would have to add code to do that.
Its not difficult but custimization like that is not something I support.

Ok, if the link to the import/export screen does not show up its probably because you never put the import/export path in the admin settings?

go check that for me.

cause running that page without a path for the files could cause a timeout.. thats why the link doesn't show if the path is not entered (so people won't run it)

it looks sorta like this (there will be a field to fill in which wont show here)

Settings below specify the physical directory path of the export directory. This is used by the system when using the import/export feature. The export directory needs modify permissions for the anonymous webserver account.
ExportDirectory

Yes.

Now its OK

Thanks Christopher

I just added this line to the paypal1.asp page

<input type="hidden" name="currency_code" value="CAD">

and it worked.  Clearly other values can be entered for other currencies.  Everything was listed in this manual https://www.paypal.com/en_US/pdf/subscriptions.pdf.

Cheers
Roy

I apologize if I've missed this, but I would love to see the ability to auto-e-mail the advertiser at some randomly set interval before the banner expires. Ideally, I would also be cc'd on this e-mail so I can stay in touch. If the advertiser wants to renew, I can receive payment and change the expiration date without their banner ever falling out of service.

Since e-mail is already built into the program, would it be difficult to add a routine that checks for expiring banners at some daily interval, and contacts the advertiser?

To get really fancy, the e-mail could include the ability for me to add a button for paypal, allowing the advertiser to easily click and send off another payment.

Best,

Wayne

Don't want to install the application ? Having trouble doing it ? Don't think you can ? No problem, have us install it for you. PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS Installation service is generally available Mon - Fri during the hours of 10 am - 7 pm EST. We may very well be around to do installs at other times but we do not guarantee that. To do an install we generally need FrontPage Explorer or FTP access to your site. We also need a way to set permissions on any necessary directories, etc etc. To do a SQL Server install we need to access your SQL server via Enterprise Manager. Some installs may require access to other things not mentioned. The server must be a properly set up NT/2000/2003 server running IIS 4-6 for ASP 3.0 applications. (with support for ASP scripts and database connectivity.) Parent Paths must be enabled on the server. Please Note: These ASP scripts do not run under Chillisoft ASP. That means they do not run under Unix, Linux, Apache, etc etc. We do not install our applications on free ASP Hosting solutions. Why, because they are more trouble than they are worth. Free hosts like that are usually zero help if we need something changed. There is a reason they are free. We install the software in it's base configuration. We make sure it is running correctly. If you break the installation you will have to pay to have it fixed. We do not integrate it with your existing site or edit any of your existing web content. That is up to you. Installation fees are non refundable as is the digital source code we sell. When you purchase anything from us you agree to this. We do not do installs for IPNFulfill and Color Sequence Protection as they are simple scripts and do not even use a database.. We also do not install the IPN Support Pack as it is just a folder you copy into your web and some configuration files that you must decide how to configure based on your needs and your PayPal account info.

Any CJWSoft ASP 3.0 application (Access Database Installation)	25.00
Any CJWSoft ASP 3.0 application (SQL Database Installation)	40.00

Contact us if you have any questions.

I have tried everything to get your CJWSoft code working..I purchased the auto listings software and I am stumped, and actually you stumped my hosting provider, my database is stored in the database directory on the root.

I have even tried your ASPtest and still cannot connect.  My have connected other databases without an issue on this same host, I have named a DNS Auto for my database and ponted to that in my code  but get the following error you see at http://www.burkesauto.com and even when i try you test script found here at http://www.burkesauto.com/asptest.asp .

you not seeing the real error

http://support.cjwsoft.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11& PN=1

IMPORTANT UPDATE - READ THIS
http://support.cjwsoft.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=205& ;PN=1

The IPN Support Pack which is built in to ASPProtect 7 contains all the pre-built scripts you need to implement PayPal IPN with ASPProtect. IPN stands for (Instant Payment Notification). It allows you to set up scripts on your server so whenever a PayPal web accept order is processed the PayPal server sends info to your server regarding the transaction and vice versa. This is a fully automated process and allows you to charge users for access by the month or however long you like.

This Support Pack basically gives you an additional signup and registration directory "paypal_signup" and it should not interfere with any changes or customizations you have made to your ASPProtect setup in general. New users can register in this directory and pay for membership at the same time. Existing users whether active or expired can be sent to this directory where they can lookup their account and buy additional membership time online. You can also assign various Access and Group Levels during signup and you can set up various prices for various amounts of time as well. This is a real-time setup for the most part. As soon as a user pays via PayPal your system is updated and they will have access.

To use this all you need to do in ASPProtect 7 is enter your PayPal account name into the settings screen. It will be an email address. You'll need a business or premier account with PayPal and you will need log into your PayPal account and turn on IPN in you profile. They make you enter a default IPN URL. We do not use that so if you already have something there leave it there. If you dont have something there you can type in any the full url to any page on your server. It's probably best to send it to an empty ".asp" page or something.

The 1st value is the amount of days.
The 2nd value is the price for the amount of days.
The 3rd value is the access level you want to user assigned to.
The 4th option is the groups you want the user assigned to. (see PayPal subscription thread for examples of specifying group info)

Now, the label for the option in (blue) can say whatever you like.

ok... lets forget about all this redirecting business for a minute

when I go to "GP01.asp" directly via your web site I get a big nasty error that says this

Microsoft VBScript compilation error '800a0411'

Name redefined

/protect/config_inc.asp, line 15

Dim  Address_Required,CDONTS_Installed,City_Required,Registration _Type,VerifyURL,Log_Off_Page
----^ 

then when I look at what you did in that file I see why

you have this code which is totally wrong because you cannot include the password protection file twice

<%@ LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" %>
<!--#INCLUDE FILE="check_user_inc.asp"-->
<% GROUPACCESS = "*1*" %>

<!--#INCLUDE FILE="check_user_inc.asp"-->

it should be

<%@ LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" %>

<% GROUPACCESS = "*1*" %>
<!--#INCLUDE FILE="check_user_inc.asp"-->

and that is probably the root of this entire problem.. the redirection was working...
but you were sending them to invalid pages with errors

all those pages are wrong...

if you dont see the real error above see this

http://support.cjwsoft.com/code/moreinfo11-1.htm

if you look over the aspprotect 7 installation instructions that is the very 1st thing I tell people to do

hopefully this is the info you need to continue and get some work done

This user is talking about preparing more than 100 pics at a time for an album that already exists and doing it using linux.

I asked the user to post the code here because I think it is interesting and it may help someone who is working with the app.

This article is not for everyone for a few reasons.

1.) The application can already mass import pics on it's own. It does 100 pics pretty quickly on a decent server. The built in method also resizes pictures and make low res thumbnails should your server support a supported ASP image resizing component. The method above simply rename pictures in a folder so the application will see them as part of an album.

2.) We don't support or recommend that anyone sets the application to use more than 100 pics per album. It is just not tuned for that and there will be issues. Please dont ask me what they are as it is complicated and I am not sure/dont remember what they all are.

3.) Your going to have to be familiar with linux to use the code shown above.

Good Morning, any suggestions on how to best "fake out the system" -- I would like to try to keep this clean so I can see the real errors?

My thought was to try to just move those .gif files to the directory that it thinks it should be in -- do you have any better suggestions? Or reasons why I really wouldnt want to do that?

((TITLE EDITED BY ADMIN))


it would be nice if there was an option for login abuse, where a login account would be flagged if it logged in from x number of different IPs over a period of time. I know many have dynamic IPs, but there's got to be a balance between legitimate logins and logins that are 'shared' for the sake of saving money (I sell subscriptions), in the end costing me.

Maybe searching the first two number groups in the IP (example, 209.168.*.*), and if finding more than an admin specified number of logins per week from IPs with different first two groups, the record would be flagged or locked...

Excellent

I am using VS 2005, when i go to new project in visual basic folder asp.net web application is not there..

Can i add it somehow?

There are 8 Access Levels by default.. they work like this.
http://support.cjwsoft.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=166& ; ; ;PN=1

Access Levels exist in ASPProtect Version 7 for backward compatibilty for customers using previous versions.

Truth is Groups are the replacement for Access Levels and they are much more powerful and flexible. You can also make as many of them as you want in the admin area.
http://support.cjwsoft.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=167& ; ; ;PN=1

On a side note:
We also coded ASPProtect Version 7 so there could technically be as many access levels as you wanted. It's not supported but if you really wanted more Access Levels you would carefully add more Access Levels to the drop down choices when you edit a user. "edit.asp"

I don't know why anyone would want to use Access Levels however when they can use Groups.

Javascript Popup/Pop Under Generator

Until I have time to make one I suggest using the one on the banmanpro support site as it is pretty nice.

Just dont use option 2 on that page as that is specific to banmanpro

http://www.banmanpro.com/support/popupgenerator.asp

Have you thought about language file so users dont have to go into the code to put it in their language??

I just took a look and that is definetly what happened.
It has nothing to do with the registration process as far as I can see.

Just running this page triggers it and I know it does not do that the way it comes.
http://www.myvirtualtutor.com/aspprotect/users/user_area.asp

Please back up what you changed and put the user area back the way it came..

If error still happens then I can help you.. It it works fine with the default files from the zip archive then you messed something up in the code.

You have to be really careful when working with ASP code.

Also: just in case you did this. " you should not be password protecting any files in the users area that are already there " the users area does it's own thing and there is no reason to be doing anything like that to the files that are already there. You can do whatever you like to files you add on your own.

Has anyone used the aspmail function to send and recieve emails from within your forms? If so what string did you use in the aspmail_host field in the connections database.

thank you
adam

look in the "check_user_inc.asp" file

Thank you that did it !!

well, so far one other guy found one..

his, was some sort of weird character that was causing a line break or something though in my testing I just couldnt figure out what was going on

now for me to reproduce any error someone find with a password I need to know the key used and the password used

which make it real hard to troubleshoot

DONE IT

DON'T WORRY!

DON'T ASK HOW, BUT NOW IT WORKS!!

THANK YOU IF IT WAS YOU, OR THANK YOU GOD IF IT WAS ME!!!