Can`t connect to Virginmedia server: webspace.

[martyn_blackburn]

Hiya everyone,

I have a problem. I`ve recently decided to use my free virginmedia webspace and create a website (not a big website) using Microsoft Frontpage 2003.
Last night I completed my Home Page and went to publish my Home Page to the virginmedia server.

After clicking on "Publish.." on the Frontpage File menu, frontpage prompted me to key in my location address:

www.martynblackburn.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

A dialogue box appeared and I was prompted for a username and password. My username would be "martynblackburn" and my password would be ******* (not telling you what that is). I clicked "Okay".

For some reason the dialogue box would not recognise my username or password. I tried again and again. Nothing happened.

(I heard about uploading pages through an ftp but it could corrupt the frontpage extensions and ruin everything. I know nothing about ftp and I am told there needs to be configurations made to the proxy settings. Again this terminology I am not familiar with. I would rather not use ftp anyway.)

I phoned Virginmedia on 150 free number -no help - but couldn`t get through to technical help (not a free number) and I realised I`d spent well over £4 on the call. I have sent an email to virginmedia and I await their response.

But for the time being could you shed some light on this?

---------- Post added at 05:05 ---------- Previous post was at 04:44 ----------

I have just browsed the forums and I found a locked thread that tells me how to upload using IE. I don`t use Internet Explorer I prefer Firefox.

I copied into Firefox address bar:

ftp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

I typed in my username and my password.

A page appears with files: vti bin, vti cnf, vti pvt, zisp, and more. I don`t know what all this is and I don`t know what I`m supposed to do next??

---------- Post added at 05:25 ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 ----------

Okay, I`ve just found out how to use ftp using Firefox. I `ve also clicked on an article whilst browsing which tells me how I can use START> My Computer> type in ftp address in the address bar. I`ve connected using my username and password and I can see my files etc in the window.

But I stilll don`t understand what these files mean.

I`ve read the way to do it is to drag and drop a selected file into the root of the file dsiplayed in the browser and then type the ftp file into web browser to view that file on the net for everyone to see. Is this right?

---------- Post added at 06:28 ---------- Previous post was at 05:25 ----------

Okay now I have a new problem. When I accessed my website I got to the directory and a load of files but I didn`t get to the "index" file. I can`t find it anywhere. Is this where I`m supposed to drag and drop my web pages?

[netlon]

Hi there. There are a number of ftp programs available that may make your task easier. I have used Aceftp - a free one - which I found easy to use. You set it up with the info it needs to access your ftp server - user name, password etc then when you connect (successfully) it shows two panes similar to Windows Explorer. One on the right shows the files on the server, the one on the left allows you to navigate to the folders where your files are stored on your hard drive. All you do is drag and drop files from the left pane to the right pane and the files are uploaded. I recommend organising your website files in one folder on your hard drive so its easier and quicker to find them and your website is a mirror image of it. I've not tried using IE or Firefox to upload files but I'm sure this method would be easier. I'm no techie, just passing on my own theories and experiences. Hope this is helpful to you.

---------- Post added at 08:44 ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 ----------

PS Don't worry about the other folders on the ftp server. Just create a folder called 'mysite' and upload all your files to that. Remember to include the full address when you link to your web space "http://www.martinblackburn.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mysite/index.html"

[martyn_blackburn]

I use a totally free ftp - no evaluation. I`ve uploaded to the site but I can`t view it in a web page. The file path of the home page is http:ftp:ftp:ftp:http://...

Really odd.

[netlon]

Originally Posted by martyn_blackburn

I`ve uploaded to the site but I can`t view it in a web page.

I can view your web site from the link in your first post but I'm not sure what you mean in above quote.

[chickendippers]

Chances are you can't use Frontpage on the VM webspace, that requires a special extension - you'll probably need a paid host.

[martyn_blackburn]

I can see it through the one you can see it on but if I try to view it through the ftp (view on the web tab) I can this 500 error and a completely different file path:

http://www.martynblackburn.pwp.bluey...docs/index.htm

---------- Post added at 10:13 ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 ----------

Originally Posted by chickendippers

Chances are you can't use Frontpage on the VM webspace, that requires a special extension - you'll probably need a paid host.

I can use Frontpage 2003 with VM.

The page works but the colours are missing. I used the background to a theme in Frontpage. The theme colour has turned white and the graphics are no there.

[Richy99]

there are no FrontPage extensions on the VM servers so anything that uses the FP components will fail to show

[martyn_blackburn]

Originally Posted by Richy99

there are no FrontPage extensions on the VM servers so anything that uses the FP components will fail to show

There are Frontpage extensions on the VM website:

http://help2.virginmedia.com/help/ge...g_fpextensions

[Richy99]

ex tx did then, ex ntl didnt

and it is more than likely if there are extensions then they are older version to what you are using

[martyn_blackburn]

I am using the extension from the VM website. I`m not using any other extensions.

For some reason the colour of the site is not white it should be purple and the banner at the top of the page is not there although the text can be seen. Everything else is okay. The problem is that the theme somehow doesn`t appear. Nor does it appear upon uploading the theme file/gif to the server.

[Richy99]

the VM FP extensions on the server are 2002, you have said you are using FP 2003 they are different versions and have different functions when it comes to the extensions being used

[martyn_blackburn]

Originally Posted by Richy99

the VM FP extensions on the server are 2002, you have said you are using FP 2003 they are different versions and have different functions when it comes to the extensions being used

I see but I was told by VM that 2002 and 2003 are fully compatible. I shall ask them again about this. Thanks for the great advice!

[SMHarman]

But seriously though you could get a ten quid a year piece of webspace that would have an easier domain name (though that will make the whole thing about fifteen quid) and working front page extensions and better tech support.

[Nemeth]

Originally Posted by martyn_blackburn

I can see it through the one you can see it on but if I try to view it through the ftp (view on the web tab) I can this 500 error and a completely different file path:

http://www.martynblackburn.pwp.bluey...docs/index.htm

Because Frontpage is appending htdocs/ on the end thinking that's part of the web address. Presumably there's an option in Frontpage to specify the web address for it to use in the view on the web tab, just change it.

Realistically though from looking at the sections on your website you should probably forget about using Frontpage or your VM webspace. Instead look at a good free discussion forum or content management system, for instance phpBB or SMF (with TinyPortal), or a CMS like Drupal. You'll also need to pay to have your site hosted by a proper web host. Frontpage and your VM webspace are fine for a simple static site, but if you want a mechanism for people to sign up and a forum for discussions you need to look a lot further.