Here's the scoop: I get an Internal Server Error #500 when I try to run it. I got the hello.pl and hello.cgi scripts to both run, but the test won't even run. When I ran the file through a script checker (provided by AITcom) I was rewarded with the following:

TEST 4: perl syntax
Can't locate strict.pm in @INC (@INC contains: /usr/lib/perl5/i686-linux/5.00404 /usr/lib/perl5 /usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/i686-linux /usr/lib/perl5/site_perl .) at ubb6_test.cgi line 55.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at ubb6_test.cgi line 55.

I have an extremely limited knowledge of CGI, and this is my first venture using a lot of it, so any help would be very much appreciated!

BTW, the script is stored here: http://www.bettendorfstanford.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb6_test.cgi

The error indicates the program cannot find strict.pm. That is a module that is normally installed with Perl. Ask your host if there is a problem with the strict.pm module and check to be sure you are using the correct Perl path in the top line of your cgi scripts.

Alright, will do. I'm sure the path is correct, I checked and checked again, but the strict.pm problem might be it. I'll check on that. Where, exactly, should that file be located? In the same path as perl?

It should be loaded wherever Perl is on your server, check with your web host.

Alright, I think I might have a revelation... In the error message it says it looks in those different places for the strict.pm script, but the script is in the following location: /usr/lib/perl5/5.00502

That said, does this mean that I need to have the script moved, because it's apparently not looking there for it... I'm told that this is a slightly unorthodox server setup, too, to have the perl directories laid out like that. Any suggestions?

Since ubb 6.X has strict off in the main ubb files, why not block it on the test script too?

The error you are getting is quite conventional as many hosts have the libraries laid out that way even if the perl executable is differently named. You will make better progress by discussing this with your host as we have no way of knowing how your server is set up. There is a program you can run that will tell you what modules are installed. Click here to download Perl Diver. Extract perldiver.cgi and upload it in ascii to your cgi directory. Set the permissions to 755 and run it from your browser. At the bottom of the screen will be a listing of perl modules. It is case sensitive. Look in the last column near the bottom for 'strict'. If it is not there, it is not installed. If it is there, you will still have to discuss with your host to see where your files should be located.

Added after above: You may be able to run the UBB scripts without strict, but it is a good idea to check your permissions with the test script if you can - especially if you are new to the game. Also, if strict is not installed, the Perl installation may be faulty in other ways.

Excellent. Thanks for the help, everyone. You all seem to really know what you're doing. I'll do all that and report back.

Uh oh...Well, first of all, I will say that I'm going to have a good, long talk with my host, and see what's going on with them. I am unable to run the perldiver.cgi script, and when I checked it, it returned the same error as the ubb6_test.cgi script did. I take it that means that my host just does not have everything straight then?

I believe you are on aitcom.net which has a pretty decent reputation. Be sure you have carefully reviewed any documentation they supplied on location and configuration of files. Some servers have very specific requirements which we might not be aware of.

Your perl path at the top of the script should be #!/usr/bin/perl or #!/bin/perl

Yes, I'm with AITcom, and I have talked with technical support and they have twice confirmed that perl is set up properly and that I am using the correct path (#!/usr/bin/perl), and I've checked the documentation I have against their new sets as to placement and directories and the like, unless I've missed something minor along the way. So, that in mind, I am quite frazzled and am wondering what on earth to do. This, fortunately, isn't a time sensitive issue. The recurring error (when the scripts are run through AITcom's script checker) is with "@INC". I'm going to keep trying to figure out what is going wrong on AIT's end, and see if they can figure out what I did wrong. If anyone has any new insight, please let me know. Hal: I tried both perl locations suggested (the former is what AITcom suggested) and both produced the same result, a server error #500 and the @INC error when run through the script checker. <-- That's all I've got right now.

Perl is NOT installed properly at AIT.

Absolutely not.

I personally went around the bend with them numerous times on one of my personall accounts. They insisted socket.pm was installed but it was not executing. It existed but was not installed. Do you see the difference?

They didn't

They image perl onto the servers, they do not install it properly. Insist that they reinstall perl again, using all defaults, using the latest version or this problem will never go away.

Hmmm...this certainly puts an interesting spin on things. Um, I'll see if I can get them to re-install perl. I have, quite honestly, tried everything in my arsenal, but to no avail. Yes, I think I'll have them reinstall that, and if that doesn't work...well...I'll have to keep asking for suggestions. Again, thanks for the input, everyone.

Them them you will sick Navaho on them if they do not fly right.

Unless you've paid for the year or have a ton of stuff there (I think you said your site was new) Why not bag that webhost and find one that works..? I guess it's me, that much trouble getting a server to be up to date, and I'm goneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..

Been with web2010.com for 4 years.. no probs..


Hal, little to much free time? LOL

Man, you guys are funny... I'll be sure to sick Navaho on them if they don't get it all straight... Truth is, I've got a HUGE amount of stuff on the server, and it hasn't ever gone down but once (for about 10 minutes) that I know of (and that's pretty closely monitored), so if they get stuff right I'll probably stay with them. This is my first time installing UBB, but I've been in my job for over a year now (and with AITcom) and doing similar work for almost 4, so I've got a little experience under my belt, although obviously not nearly enough. Also, I'm the webmaster, but I'm (quite happily) not the one who pays the bills, so it would take some convincing to switch providers. I'll see how this turns out, and if they don't deliver, then I might have to look elsewhere. I've got an out-of-state conference, so I'll be out of touch for a while. Trust me, you'll all know if I get it fixed or not, because if not, I'm going to make a Graemlin that is a concerned smiley face with crosshairs on it and post that ( ).

Note to DCF: Hey, I didn't mean to abandon your site, but after all the stupid trouble I had now I can't get to your site...it gives me the oh-so-rare 404 error. Guess I'll just have to keep trying. Sorry.

I use AITcom.net for some of my sites. When I first switched to them I found out that I didn't have a full perl library installed and it took filing two or three support tickets to get them to correct the problem. As I have said before on these boards I really like AITcom.net. They are otherwise a very good and reliable host.

Send something along these lines and you'll get some action. Clarence is AIT's CEO:
[QUOTE][qb]Attention: Clarence Briggs

I requested that perl be installed on my virtual server. However, support hasn't installed a *complete* installation of perl despite several requests. I don't wish to leave AIT since I like your company and it's support but I will not be able to continue using AITcom.net if a complete installation of perl is not provided ASAP.[/qb][/QUOTE]

Thanks...I'll look into that. I'm going to request they install perl again, this time correctly. It seems as if AITcom has been doing things to my account again, and I've lost a bunch of data, so I'll have to request that back, too. Thanks again, everyone, and I'll see if a perl reinstall doesn't do the trick...

ARGH! AITcom says they have re-installed perl, but, I tried to run the scripts again with all of the former things fixed, and it still gives me a 500 error. What now?

Enure that all files except images have been uploaded in ascii. If you used CuteFTP to upload, switch to WS_FTP as many people have problems using CuteFTP for ascii upload. If you unzipped directly on the server, ensure you used the -a switch.

As well check all file and directory permissions and make sure that they are set correctly per the installation instructions.

All files uploaded with WS_FTP in ASCII format, all CHMOD set properly, everything in the right places. I don't know what else there is to do... Everything is as it says in the instructions.

If you'd like you can email me your FTP information and I will see if I can find the problem.

I have taken a look via FTP. It is not a UBB configuration problem. The problem still appears to be server related.

Contact your host and ask them to check your error log. It may help track down where the problem is.

Will do. Thanks. Like mentioned in an above message, is it just configured wrong? I'm going to insist they re-install perl again, fully, and I'll see what happens.