XF 1.1 Baffling Problem: Growing Number of Users Cannot Post

[taylor_smith]

We have been having some issues since Monday--namely, a growing number of users cannot post on our forums. Some of the reports from users are quoted below. We have been trying to determine a pattern, but there does not seem to be one.

Affected users have reported using Chrome, Firefox, IE8, and IE9. One user repaired the problem by updating Firefox, but others have the most recent version and cannot post, while others are able to post fine with Firefox. A couple users reported issues in IE8, but some also in IE9. Some have been able to find a workaround by changing themes, but others cannot post in any theme.

No updates or plugins have been added for at least a couple weeks. We did have a power outage at our host a few days ago, but this seemed to be repaired.

My SYSOP and I are totally baffled. Does anyone have any insight at all? The site is located here: http://stratics.com/community. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I cannot access my private messages any longer. The bar that had the notifications and alert and so on is not even there anymore. I'm not sure if you can help, or what I have done, but I miss those features.

When i log into my account, it wont let me post anything or even PM anyone. It will give me the option to, but i can't type anything, its just a blank screen. I dunno who els to contact, if you know anything, It will be greatly appreciated.

I've restarted my comp, logged in and out of my stratics accnt. I honestly dunno whatels to do.

Hi my stratics acct is one of the ones that is messed up currently. I cannot post replies, start new threads or start private conversations. At the present time I have no way to be able to use stratics besides reading it. I am using IE 9 as my browser and classic uo theme. I have tried using a different theme and deleting cookies in internet options with a comp reboot. Neither has fixed the problem.

Hello,
I can not post any replys or edit old replys or anything.
Where it is supposed to be able to there is just black screen.
I have changed nothing on my settings or computer.
Any help would be great.
Email not working at the moment so can you PM me please if you can help.
Thank you

Hm, I've been trying to answer a 4th of July thread since yesterday and it seems I am unable to post on stratics, or send PMs to anyone (start conversations). Is this a bug on my end or something else happening? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I am not getting a text box to reply/create any messages? can you help
Its been like it for a few days on several diff PC's I am not getting a text box then trying to creat, reply or start/reply in conversations?? is this a known issue?

I can't post in IE, I don't get the box to write the message in. I tryed on 3 different computers. In Firefox I have no problems at home but at work, firefox is not allowed

 

[Jake Bunce]

That db error is from an addon called "Steam". Check with the author about that.

Have you been able to reproduce the posting problems using their accounts? That would be the first step. My guess is a permission problem (ie make sure they have permission to post). Though that last user sounds like a client problem (maybe restrictions on their work computer).

If you are able to reproduce the problem yourself then I can take a look if you give me admin access as well as the names of the problem users. If you can't reproduce the problem then it's probably a client issue.

 

[taylor_smith]

Aye, I've since disabled the Steam authentication add-on, but the problems persist.

Several admins from throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe have been creating alts and testing permissions, but we haven't been able to reproduce the issue. The affected users are from all over--Japan, U.S., Australia, Canada, UK. It may indeed be a client issue, but it happened all at once and is affecting a range of browsers and users.

 

[taylor_smith]

One user provided this screenshot. She's not using an ad blocker.

 

[Digital Doctor]

recent PHP upgrade ?

Using custom style ?

 

[CTXMedia]

Java 7 auto-update? We've had a few IT issues with clients who auto-updated - we've had to roll their Java runtime install back a few updates to get them working.

 

[taylor_smith]

Here's our

recent PHP upgrade ?

Using custom style ?

Here's our PHP info: http://stratics.com/test/php/. This is affecting a few different styles, all of which had been working previously.

 

[taylor_smith]

It seems that users are having trouble with most themes, but not with the Flexile Green theme. Changing to Flexile Green fixes their issue. What does that theme have that others (including other Flexile themes) do not?

 

[taylor_smith]

Still no luck.

 

[Jake Bunce]

I just registered on your forum and tested several styles. The quick reply editor shows up fine for me.

If you ever find a reliable way to reproduce the problem then let me know. Otherwise I can only assume this is a client issue of some kind.

 

[taylor_smith]

Yes, it is very probably a client issue of some kind. Unfortunately, I need to figure out what it is so I can tell folks how to fix it. It's affecting about a dozen users now.

 

[dutchbb]

Have to asked them to clean out their cache & cookies?

Edit // Oh I see some of them have already tried that.

Edit 2 // Privacy settings set to accept cookies, firewall set to accept your site?

 

[taylor_smith]

Aye, this was my first recommendation. I've also had them update their browser software. Also, they're not using ad blockers

What else could this be? Something affecting some themes, but not others. Java update? Something else?

 

[dutchbb]

If it's only with older accounts, and post-power outage, that is a clear hint something may be changed with those accounts... You'll have to narrow it down until you find the culprit.

 

[Digital Doctor]

Aye, this was my first recommendation. I've also had them update their browser software. Also, they're not using ad blockers

What else could this be? Something affecting some themes, but not others. Java update? Something else?

Make a dummy account called Testing123.
give the login and password to one of the people having problems.
See if their problems go away or persist.
It'll narrow it down a bit

 

[taylor_smith]

Ah, good idea. Will try.

 

[taylor_smith]

I've replicated it! But I'm not sure what to do next.

At stratics.com/community, in IE8, using these details:

Username: testing123
Password: testing123

I can't see the quick reply box in certain themes.

 

[Jake Bunce]

I've replicated it! But I'm not sure what to do next.

At stratics.com/community, in IE8, using these details:

Username: testing123
Password: testing123

I can't see the quick reply box in certain themes.

I assume it works OK in the default style? You should troubleshoot the problem styles. Revert any customized templates to narrow down the problem. There must be something in those styles that is incompatible with IE.

 

[taylor_smith]

The odd thing is that all of these folks have used those styles since March. What changed between March 3rd and July 4th?

 

[CTXMedia]

Did you upgrade to XF 1.1.3?