Title: Initial Installation Location Last modified: August 19, 2016 --- # Initial Installation Location * [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/) * I am about to install WP for the first time. Using FTP, I have navigated to my website’s root and find the directories: cgi-bin, databases, logs, private, and public. My host says to install “things” in public. * I unzipped the WordPress- 2.7.1.zip file and it created the directory: ‘wordpress’ and everything in or below it. * According to the “Famous 5-minute install”, after I modify the wp-config.php file I am supposed to- 4.Upload everything. 5.Open /wp-admin/install.php in your browser…. * My question is this- should I put the ‘wordpress’ directory and all of its contents in the ‘public’ directory -or- just the contents of the ‘wordpress’ directory? * If I copy the ‘wordpress’ directory and all of its contents to the ‘public’ directory, I believe step 5 above will be: 5.Open /wordpress/wp-admin/install.php in your browser…. * I’d “prefer” to create the ‘wordpress’ directory and put everything WP under it but will doind so mess things up? * Many thanks!! Mike Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) * [Samuel B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/samboll/) * (@samboll) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079654) * > I’d “prefer” to create the ‘wordpress’ directory and put everything WP under > it but will doind so mess things up? * That is fine – should have no problems before actually running the installer you can even rename /wordpress to /blog or /news or /whatever then access /blog/ wp-admin/install.php * Thread Starter [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079666) * Thanks for the okay; it is very much appreciated! * I’ve uploaded the files but when I open IE and enter “[http://www.MYDOMAIN.com/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php”](http://www.MYDOMAIN.com/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php”); in the address field, I get the error: “HTTP500 Internal server Error”. * Am I misunderstanding the instructions? Am I missing a setting on my Uplinkearth host account; I have PHP5 enabled? * I looked at the file via filezilla and the permissions are: -rw-r–r– * If this is not how I do it, how else do I ‘execute’ the install-php file? * Mike * [schaefse](https://wordpress.org/support/users/schaefse/) * (@schaefse) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079694) * I’m having similar problems. * When I open IE and enter “[http://www.MYDOMAIN.com/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php”](http://www.MYDOMAIN.com/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php”); I get nothing but a blank screen. Not even an error message. I’m obviously doing something wrong, but have no clue where I went wrong. * Any guidance would be GREATLY appreciated. * Susan * Thread Starter [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079810) * schaefse, * After much research and many failed attempts, I got the script to run (not work, but run). I made the following 3 changes in my last shot, so I am not certain which one(s) fixed allowed the script to work: 1. I changed the install.php file attribut from 644 to 755 2. I tossed my current wp-config.php, made another dupe from the original wp-config-sample.php file. THIS time editting it in Notepad instead of Wordpad (Wordpad may insert unseen chars). 3. I found a typo in wp- config.php. One of the Authentication Unique Keys had dual single quotes around it (an error when I cut and paste from the random key generator). * Now, HOWEVER, I am receiving the following error message (hey, at least there is a message): Error establishing a database connection This either means that the username and password information in your wp-config.php file is incorrect or we can’t contact the database server at sql5c25d.carrierzone.com. This could mean your host’s database server is down. • Are you sure you have the correct username and password? • Are you sure that you have typed the correct hostname?• Are you sure that the database server is running? If you’re unsure what these terms mean you should probably contact your host. If you still need help you can always visit the WordPress Support Forums. * After checking them for the Nth time, I wrote to my host Uplinkearth again and am awaiting a response. Unfortunately I typically get the following back from them: “Unfortunately, we do not provide support for third-party applications and thus are not able to assist you with WordPress installation.” * Yes, it makes me happy to send in my annual payment! * Again, I do not know if any of these will help but you might try them. * If anyone can help suggest what might be wrong now…your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. * Mike * Thread Starter [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079815) * Okay, I feel like a dufus…Uplinkearth wrote back and pointed out another typo– this time in the MySQL Database Username. I made the change to wp-config.php, uploaded it, ran it through IE, and I got the “5 Minute Install” screen. I was elated. * I completed the two fields (Blog Name & email), and ran the install. In a blink I saw “Success – WordPress has been installed. Were you expecting more steps? Sorry to disappoint.” It was done and it gave me a WordPress Username and random Password. I clicked Login and was brought to the WordPress Dashboard. All looked great! * Then I clicked on “Visit Site” and the Uplinkearth default “Under Construction” page is still there. * I cannot begin to tell you how bummed out I feel right now. Soooo… close, but not there. I thought the next step was going to be to import my exported file from my WordPress.com blog site. Not tonight!!! * Now what do I have to check?????? * Mike * Thread Starter [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079819) * Here’s an update… Since I ran the script, I looked in the the root directory and found (& didn’t find) the following: root/ — no files (only dir’s – OK) databases/wpdb_lifesdigressions_com/ — 30 files private/phpmyadmin/ — 3 files public/images/ — 0 files (my future use) public/magicblue/ — 15 files + 2 dirs( I had hoped to change the look with this template) public/php/ — it will not show me public/spryassets/ — 0 files (my future use) public/wordpress/ — 27 files& 3 dirs (I only found 1 html file (readme) and 1 phtml file (index) here – shouldn’t there be more? public/wordpress/wp-admin/ — 79 files & 5 dirs public/wordpress/ wp-content/ — 1 file & 2 dirs public/wordpress/wp-includes/ — 68 files & 3 dirs * It appears by the databases/wpdb_lifesdigressions_com/ directory that “something” ran. I also looked in the MySQL database and found 10 tables beginning with ‘ ld_’, which I specified as the table prefix. * So, what could be wrong? What file (html, phtml, etc) should I find in the public directory (where the “Under Construction” index.html file currently is that “ HOLDS” my blog? * Again, please help! * Thanks, Mike * [Samuel B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/samboll/) * (@samboll) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079827) * give a link and we can figure it out * Thread Starter [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079833) * What do you mean give a link? * The domain is [http://www.lifesdisgressions.com](http://www.lifesdisgressions.com)– is that what you want? * [Samuel B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/samboll/) * (@samboll) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079843) * you must have the files in the wrong place on the server – Im not finding anything anywhere I’ll look at it if you want to send me your ftp login/pass click on my name then contact tab at top of my test site * Thread Starter [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079851) * When I click your name, I get your blog but when I click on Contact I get an “ HTTP 500 Internal Server Error”. I am using IE 8…could that be an issue? * You can contact me via email. I “hope” it is okay to list it here. it is mike at michaelgaudet dot com. * I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your help, I have worked on this exclusively for 4 days now (I’m unemployed so I DO mean ALL day). I just want to move my blog from WordPress to my own site so I can start to ‘show’ my writing in hopes of transitioning to a new career. Again, thanks for helping!!! * Mike * [rahulkhadaliya](https://wordpress.org/support/users/rahulkhadaliya/) * (@rahulkhadaliya) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079877) * Hi GUys, I have been looking an answer to the following error but couldn’t find any. Need help thanks.. * Error : * Can’t select database * We were able to connect to the database server (which means your username and password is okay) but not able to select the blog database. * * Are you sure it exists? * Does the user rahulkhadaliya have permission to use the blog database? * On some systems the name of your database is prefixed with your username, so it would be like username_blog. Could that be the problem? * Raahul * Thread Starter [mikegaudet](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mikegaudet/) * (@mikegaudet) * [16 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079889) * The problem id resolved. I deleted the blog software on the server under the / wordpress/ directory. Then I moved the WP software from the /wordpress/ directory on my PC to the root. Then I re-uploaded the WP software to the server, re-ran the install, and all went well. * The problem seems to have been centered around using a /wordpress/ directory to house the software; I strongly recommend people put the software at the root if possible. * Mike * [savingqueen](https://wordpress.org/support/users/savingqueen/) * (@savingqueen) * [16 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079936) * I am an Uplinkearth customer also. I will have to refer back to this post when I install WordPress next week. Thanks! Maria – [http://www.SavingQueen.com](http://www.SavingQueen.com) Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) The topic ‘Initial Installation Location’ is closed to new replies. ## Tags * [initial install](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/initial-install/) * [install directory](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/install-directory/) * In: [Installing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/installation/) * 13 replies * 5 participants * Last reply from: [savingqueen](https://wordpress.org/support/users/savingqueen/) * Last activity: [16 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/initial-installation-location/#post-1079936) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics