.htaccess confusion

Ditzy · 07-10-06

Hi,

I'm trying to add a .htaccess file to my site to redirect visitors to an info page instead of an error 404 page if there are any mishaps.

I've spent quite a bit of time trawling through online tutorials but every time I upload what I've done I end up being unable to access the whole site and I get an error page.

Here's what I've done ...

I'm using Dreamweaver MX2004 and creating a .htaccess file in Notepad then moving it over to Dreamweaver.

I've got an .shtml page saved with the info I want visitors to see.

My .htaccess file says:
ErrorDocument 404 /nameofmypage.shtml
ErrorDocument 503 /nameofmypage.shtml

... which is what all the tutorials are telling me to do.

I've been digging in my book which usually helps me out but can't find any .htaccess info ... would it be listed under another heading?

Getting frustrated now :eek: ... am I missing something glaringly obvious?

The most useful tutorial is telling me that
".htaccess files must be uploaded as ASCII mode not Binary ... you may need to CHMOD the htaccess file to 644 or (64-R--RR)"
What on earth?! I haven't got a Scooby Doo!!

Am I supposed to have any generic headers in my htaccess file ... like you do on every normal .shtml or .html page?

Really would appreciate someone helping me out ... cheers.

morleymouse · 07-10-06

in mine I have the full URL so...

ErrorDocument 404 http://www.site.co.uk/file.htm

but yours should work id have thought.

Not sure how dreamweaver uploads the files but on windows I've had trouble having .htaccess files as they just seem to vanish sometimes (dont thin windows like the . at the beginning) so i call mine my.htaccess or something like that on system then rename them once they are on the server.

The CHMOD is just read and write permissions, 644 should be default, and as far as I know most programmes the do FTP upload in ASCII by default, but might be worht looking for some upload settings or transfer settings?

If you use core FTP (nice free ftp programme) there are options at the top to transfer as "auto" "binary" "ascii" so I would imagine most ftp programmes have the option somewhere

Elaine · 07-10-06

she could try asking her mother-in-law who has one up and running - but, unfortunately, doesn't have a clue how she did it - and has a sneaking suspicion it just appeared there one morning by magic.

morleymouse · 07-10-06

haha

1BIZLIST · 07-10-06

Hi use textpad to create the .htaccess file as I seem to remember having problems when creating mine in notepad, not sure if that is the problem though, not been creating them for very long myself, although I suspect your problem maybe notepad.

As for headers no not that I am aware of, I simply turn the rewrite engine on with follow simlinks like so

Tested the below code on my server and it works fine, Im using php not .shtml however.

Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine on
ErrorDocument 404 /nameofmypage.php

Mark.

Ditzy · 08-10-06

Hi Dan and Mark,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I've decided to be all girlie and wussy and leave this until after I've been in hospital in a couple of weeks ... too much to get my head round at the mo.

Thanks for explaining the CHMOD Dan.

Mark ... I think my next move will have to be to download textpad ... cheers.