frequently asked questions

Hopefully this FAQ should answer any questions that you have. If you can think of any that I have missed please let me know.

FTP and Email
Website Coding
Files and Databases
Error Pages
Miscellaneous

FTP and Email

Q. I tried logging in on hostmonster.com but it won't work, why?
A. You can't log in on hostmonster.com, only I can. You will have to use an FTP program to access your files instead.

Q. How do I log in to my control panel?
A. You don't. I am unable to provide cpanel access for my hostees. You will have to use FTP to access your files instead.

Q. I've forgotten my password, can you tell me what it is?
A. No sorry, I don't keep your passwords on record. I can reset it for you though if you send me an email and tell me what you would like your new password to be.

Q. How do I update my website with FTP?
A. Once you have already uploaded your files to your website all you have to do to update them is upload the new files. When it asks if you would like to overwrite select yes.

Q. How can I upload files to my website without an FTP program?
A. You can access your ftp online through the following websites: HostMonster FTP and net2ftp.

Q. How can I update my files without re-uploading them?
A. You can edit your files online through net2ftp.

Q. How do I check my email account?
A. Using a program, like Mozilla Thunderbird or Outlook, you can create a new account and enter the details you recieved.

Q. How can I check my email without an email program?
A. You can access your emails online through the following websites: HostMonster Email and mail2web.

Website Coding

Q. Can I convert my website to PHP?
A. Yes you can. This tutorial should get you started with coding your website.

Q. When I go to my website it just says 'Index of:' and lists all my files. How do I fix this?
A. The first page that shows up is called your index page. So just rename your main page to 'index.html' and it will work.

Q. Why isn't my 'index.php' page showing up?
A. If you still have an 'index.html' page in your files this will show up instead. Just remove that file and your 'index.php' page will work.

Q. How do I customize my Coppermine Gallery?
A. This tutorial should explain how to customize your theme.

Files and Databases

Q. I just logged in and there's already a bunch of files there! What are they?
A. These are just temporary files. You will need to remove 'default.html' for your index page to show up. The files with numbers in them are your error pages. You can delete them or edit them. The other files are not important, you can delete them or just leave them as they are.

Q. Can I upload video and audio files to my website?
A. Yes, you can. There are no restrictions on the types or sizes of files that you can upload.

Q. I've moved my site to a new domain but I don't have much space. Can I still host my images on your site?
A. No, sorry. I offer hosting for websites not files. You can try a free site like photobucket.

Q. Can you please install cutenews for me?
A. Cutenews does not require a database so you can install this one on your own. This tutorial should explain how to do that. If you still have trouble getting it to work email me and I will try to help.

Q. Why are we only allowed 2 databases each?
A. In my hosting package I have 100 databases. Currently I have around 40 hostees and if I get to 50 it's only fair that everyone be allowed the same amount.

Error Pages

Q. Am I allowed to edit the error pages on my site?
A. Yes, you are. All you have to do is open the files that are already there and change the html coding.

Q. I am recieving a 404 error. What does this mean?
A. A 404 error means the page or image you are trying to access doesn't not exist. Make sure you have uploaded the file correctly and that the link you have followed is correct.

Q. I am recieving a 401/403 error. What does this mean?
A. This means that you are not authorised to view the site. Usually that is because there is a password required to view the page.

Q. I am recieving a 500 error. What does this mean?
A. This is an internal server error. It just means that there is in error on the server you are trying to access. There is nothing you can do to fix this so if you encounter this error please email me immediatly with the urls of the pages that do not work.

Miscellaneous

Q. Can I host other people's websites on my subdomain?
A. No sorry, you can't. I need to be able to moderate all the websites hosted on my domain. If you have friends that are looking for hosting just tell them to apply here.

Q. What's an addon domain? And how do I get one?
A. An addon domain is when you pay for a domain name but continue to have your files hosted on my site. You can buy a domain from godaddy.com and then just send me and email and I will help you set it up.

Q. I am going to be unable to update for an extended period of time. What do I do?
A. Just send me an email to let me know. Make sure you include your website url so I know who you are.

Q. I have decided to close my site. How do I do this?
A. Send me an email to let me know. If you are moving to a new domain I will allow you to keep a redirection page up for 2 months.

Q. I have read through all the information on this website and still cannot find an answer to my question. What do I do?
A. The troubleshooting page lists the correct procedure for dealing with issues. Email me with your problem once you have tried all the alternative solutions.

...continue on to the application tips