yes, windows is the problem you’re having.
IIS doesn’t support mod_rewrite which is an apache extension. You will need something similar for IIS
http://www.helicontech.com/download-isapi_rewrite3.htm
there are many choices available, but these guys offer a free ‘lite’ version which is great for running a single site. The full version is targeted at hosting companies, and isn’t really that expensive in the case that you’re serving 200 sites off the one server.
version 3.x is mod_rewrite compatible, which should make wordpress happy.
(helpers here often tell windows users it can’t be done. I’d like to see that stop, because it really can be, and quite well.)
Thread Starter
MrBean
(@mrbean)
I see I see … so is this something I should take up with my host? I am using IXWebHosting.com … I knew I should have went Linux, more and more the Windows host seems to be my problem.
Thanks
ahh, well yes, hosts should be offering this by now – its not like it was just yesterday that these ISAPI extensions came out.
Point them to this thread when you ask them why they’re choosing not to be amongst the most desirable windows hosts around.
Thing is, people choose windows hosting when they need windows – if you didn’t need windows, then why are you paying for it? – Traditionally windows hosting is more expensive than linux for a couple of reasons:
1) the hosts actually have to have a clue to get into it.
2) windows costs money.
Unfortunately 1. doesn’t always apply.
In my opinion, if you’re going to offer PHP on a windows platform then you should be offering a rewrite ISAPI extension. Full stop.
Thread Starter
MrBean
(@mrbean)
Yeah, I only went with a windows host because I’m a SQL DBA and sometime in the future I can hopefully take advantage of my skill set … yet thus far, everything I’ve done has been all linux based (WP and SMF). I’m not sure if being on a windows server is the best choice …
I was able to create a .htaccess file, but I’m assuming that isn’t going to do me much good as of now right? Does it need to be in my root directory, or in the WP folder?
What needs to be inside the .htaccess file, anything? Is it a different file name for windows?
I’m working with my host now … going slow …
what’s in the file will depend on which ISAPI extension your hosts chooses to use, if any.
without one of those, you can make .htaccess files until the tucows come home, and it won’t make a lick of difference.
Thread Starter
MrBean
(@mrbean)
Appears that through my control panel I can create a .htaccess file … but it wants a username and password. Still awaiting a response from my host.
Thread Starter
MrBean
(@mrbean)
Ok … this is weird … it created /.htmaster and inside a .ok_user … what the hell am I doing here? haha
.htaccess can be used for a number of purposes – basically it’s apache’s way of providing per-directory configuration information to the server.
the option in your control panel – plesk perhaps? – is to allow you to secure a directory with a password.
windows handles that differently usually (IIS responds to file-system permissions) – but plesk actually comes with an extension which allows it to provide that .htaccess feature in much the same way that this rewrite extension will do — once it’s installed.
It’s basically there to allow transition between platforms more easily. Windows hosts should be aware of this and install isapi_rewrite.
Thread Starter
MrBean
(@mrbean)
Doesn’t say if it’s plesk or not … just a clickable button inside my file manager.
Does the .htaccess need to be at the root level or WP folder level?
Do I need the .htprotect? If so, when I created one, when reloading my page it prompted for a username and password.
the .htaccess will work in either folder.
again, it won’t actually do anything… until there’s something there to use it for redirection.
and no, if you don’t want your new password protection feature, then clear out your current .htaccess and kill the .htprotect file 🙂
Thread Starter
MrBean
(@mrbean)
Hmm, well, it won’t let me create the .htaccess file, even though the option says “create .htaccess file”. It attempts to create /.htmaster/.ok_user
that could be a symptom of the control panel software you’re using – it might use the term .htaccess because that’s what everyone’s used to – despite having no actual relationship with .htaccess files.
I don’t know.
either way, it’s faking it if it’s on windows.
Thread Starter
MrBean
(@mrbean)
Well, there goes 2 hours with nothing accomplished …
The host (IXWebHosting) says they can’t install any ISAPI-REWRITE modules. So I started doing some searching and it appears there are a few solutions that people have found …
Adding php.ini: http://www.keyboardface.com/archives/2005/05/04/wordpress-permalink-with-iis-on-windows/
Using a custom 404 handler:
http://www.simmonsconsulting.com/2005/11/22/wordpress-permalinks-on-iis/
Yet neither have worked for me … outside of switching to a Linux box, anyone have any advice for me?
Thanks!
sure, switch to a windows host that’s prepared to actually support their users.
either way, switching is your only choice… stubbornly trying to get windows to mimic apache’s behaviour, whilst having no control over the server isn’t going to get you very far.
