From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
Hey all!
I used to run a Synchronet BBS from the early 1990s until 2003 when we finally pulled the plug. While cleaning out my place I found a CD with the backup taken at the time and it was still readable. I was also pleasantly surprised finding out that Rob has continued developing the software and now I'd like to bring the BBS back online for people who used to visit.
I've been through docs but could not find the straightforward answer what would be the proper procedure to upgrade a 4-node MSDOS 2.30b SBBS to run under the current 3.19b version. I'm about to start tinkering, but any tips that would save me time and headache are welcome.
I suspect it is not as simple as installing 3.19b over existing c:\sbbs directory or am I wrong?
Thanks!
You're right: it's not quite that simple. :-)Fantastic, thanks!
An install would overwrite your .cnf (configuratino) files in your ctrl and you probably don't want to do that. Custom text/menu files would be overwritten too.
I'd go through the various sbup*.zip files in http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS_ARC/ and
http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS/(starting with sbup300c.zip)
And then finally (once you get to v3.19b), run 'jsexec update'.
Hopefully that works for you (make/keep backups) and if you run into any problems, let us know and we'll help you out.
From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
On Friday, July 15, 2022 at 10:20:23 PM UTC+3, Digital Man wrote:
You're right: it's not quite that simple. :-)
An install would overwrite your .cnf (configuratino) files in your ctrl and you probably don't want to do that. Custom text/menu files would be overwritten too.
I'd go through the various sbup*.zip files in http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS_ARC/ and http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS/(starting with sbup300c.zip)
And then finally (once you get to v3.19b), run 'jsexec update'.
Hopefully that works for you (make/keep backups) and if you run into any problems, let us know and we'll help you out.Fantastic, thanks!
I considered moving the subs, user db and custom menus/screens from old SBBS to fresh 3.19 install, but wasn't sure there haven't been any changes in the format of these files.
The route you proposed sounds much more sensible,
I'll try it out and report back how it went.
So I did it. Found out that 3.10 installer will upgrade directly from 2.30, and from then on it was incremental, mostly manual upgrades to 3.19b.I'd go through the various sbup*.zip files in http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS_ARC/ and http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS/(starting with sbup300c.zip)
And then finally (once you get to v3.19b), run 'jsexec update'.
Hopefully that works for you (make/keep backups) and if you run into any problems, let us know and we'll help you out.
From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
On Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 1:40:50 AM UTC+3, Digital Man wrote:
I'd go through the various sbup*.zip files in http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS_ARC/ and http://synchro.net/files/Main/SBBS/(starting with sbup300c.zip)
And then finally (once you get to v3.19b), run 'jsexec update'.
So I did it. Found out that 3.10 installer will upgrade directly from 2.30, and from then on it was incremental, mostly manual upgrades to 3.19b.Hopefully that works for you (make/keep backups) and if you run into any problems, let us know and we'll help you out.
Up until 3.16 everything was good, after that I did not test every single version as I moved up. Finally, when starting 3.19b it the console it was complaining that it cannot open the configuration file from \sbbs\ctrl. I fired up scfg and found out that in the node path field there was some jibberish (random strings from who knows where).
After cleaning these
manually and saving from scfg the file was loaded fine. Telnet login works fine and everything seems to be in place. Only thing that is not working is HTTP access, I updated the web root to point to webv4, but when I try to access HTTP:\\localhost I get a 404 page.
And to confirm, it was enough to run 'jsexec update' only once, after the 3.19b update or it should have been executed with every update?
version as I moved up. Finally, when starting 3.19b it the console it was complaining that it cannot open the configuration file from \sbbs\ctrl. I fired up scfg and found out that in the node path field there was some jibberish (random strings from who knows where).Interesting. I guess I should that 2.30->3.19 upgrade path myself with stock configs and see what the issue might be from.
fine and everything seems to be in place. Only thing that is not working isThe log output of the web server should indicate what's the issue there.
HTTP access, I updated the web root to point to webv4, but when I try to access HTTP:\\localhost I get a 404 page.
there was some jibberish (random strings from who knows where).Interesting. I guess I should that 2.30->3.19 upgrade path myself with stock configs and see what the issue might be from.
I'm planning to do it again but this time I'll grab some screenshots if I manage to reproduce it. Today was just quick & dirty run to get familiar with the process.
fine and everything seems to be in place. Only thing that is not working is HTTP access, I updated the web root to point to webv4, but when I try to access HTTP:\\localhost I get a 404 page.The log output of the web server should indicate what's the issue there.
If you mean the one in \sbbs\logs\ (http*.*), that one just contains the access timestamps, but I suspect there might be a more detailed log somewhere?
I'll also install a fresh clean 3.19a install and compare the files between the two, especially in HTTP root folder.
If you mean the one in \sbbs\logs\ (http*.*), that one just contains the access timestamps, but I suspect there might be a more detailed log somewhere?Yes. If you're running the Synchronet Control Panel for Windows, then the web server log out goes to the "Web Server" tab (not a file).
From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
On Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 3:47:58 AM UTC+3, Digital Man wrote:
If you mean the one in \sbbs\logs\ (http*.*), that one just contains the access timestamps, but I suspect there might be a more detailed log somewhere?Yes. If you're running the Synchronet Control Panel for Windows, then the web server log out goes to the "Web Server" tab (not a file).
Haven't had time today to do much, but here is the Web server log after trying to open a page:
7/17 01:57:32p Synchronet Web Server Version 3.19b
7/17 01:57:32p Compiled master/a2a9dc027 Jan 2 2022 16:02:20 with MSC 1928
7/17 01:57:32p WinSock 2.0 Running
7/17 01:57:32p Initializing on Sun Jul 17 13:57:32 2022 with options: 840
7/17 01:57:32p Loading configuration files from c:\sbbs\ctrl\
7/17 01:57:32p Temporary file directory: c:\sbbs\temp\
7/17 01:57:32p Root directory: c:\sbbs\webv4\root
7/17 01:57:32p Error directory: c:\sbbs\webv4\root\error\
7/17 01:57:32p CGI directory: c:\sbbs\webv4\root\cgi-bin\
7/17 01:57:32p Read 79 MIME types from root section of c:\sbbs\ctrl\mime_types.ini
7/17 01:57:32p Read 1 CGI content handlers from CGI section of c:\sbbs\ctrl\web_handler.ini
7/17 01:57:32p Read 1 JavaScript content handlers from JavaScript section of c:\sbbs\ctrl\web_handler.ini
7/17 01:57:32p Web Server socket set created
7/17 01:57:32p Web Server listening on socket 0.0.0.0 port 80
7/17 01:57:32p HTTP logging thread started
7/17 01:57:32p Web Server thread started
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 HTTP connection accepted from: 127.0.0.1 port 49228
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Session thread started
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Autotuning outbuf highwater mark to 1460 based on MSS
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Request: GET / HTTP/1.1
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 HTTP Logon (user #0)
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 !ERROR: 404 Not Found (line 3721)
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Request resolved to: c:\sbbs\webv4\root\error\404.html
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Result: HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
I've done the entire upgrade procedure again, but this time I am taking backups of every version and taking notes.7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Request: GET / HTTP/1.1What is the [web] IndexFilesNames value in your ctrl/sbbs.ini file? It should include "index.xjs" and the webv4/root directory has an index.xjs file in it, yes?
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 HTTP Logon (user #0)
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 !ERROR: 404 Not Found (line 3721)
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Request resolved to:
c:\sbbs\webv4\root\error\404.html
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Result: HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 !ERROR: 404 Not Found (line 3721)What is the [web] IndexFilesNames value in your ctrl/sbbs.ini file? It should include "index.xjs" and the webv4/root directory has an index.xjs file in it, yes?
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Request resolved to:
c:\sbbs\webv4\root\error\404.html
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Result: HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
On Monday, July 18, 2022 at 8:19:53 AM UTC+3, Digital Man wrote:
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 !ERROR: 404 Not Found (line 3721)What is the [web] IndexFilesNames value in your ctrl/sbbs.ini file? It should include "index.xjs" and the webv4/root directory has an index.xjs file in it, yes?
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Request resolved to: c:\sbbs\webv4\root\error\404.html
7/17 01:57:42p 0908 Result: HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
Read you post again and found out that IndexFileName was pointing to index.html. I changed it to index.xjs and web root is set to ../webv4/root. File is there but I still get 404 error...hmmm...
See https://gitlab.synchro.net/main/sbbs/-/blob/master/ctrl/sbbs.ini for reference. Perhaps you need 2 or more of those values for ecWeb to work.Thanks, I will revisit the web thing and play around with it, I already see that the configuration file on gitlab has more settings than mine.
From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
On Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 12:19:21 AM UTC+3, Digital Man wrote:
See https://gitlab.synchro.net/main/sbbs/-/blob/master/ctrl/sbbs.ini for reference. Perhaps you need 2 or more of those values for ecWeb to work.Thanks, I will revisit the web thing and play around with it, I already see that the configuration file on gitlab has more settings than mine.
However, I managed to reproduce the problem I had initially, and it is triggered by the upgrade from 3.18 to 3.19a. After starting Synchronet it complains that it cannot open the configuration file, and when opening scfg I see garbled strings in each node path field. If I clean it up manually the service will start, but I'm wondering if something else could be messed up in cfg file (?) If you need any info that may help let me know, but it seems it is reproducible.
Screenshot here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZufzgzdNbBRVms37
I see garbled strings in each node path field. If I clean it up manually the service will start, but I'm wondering if something else could be messed up in cfg file (?) If you need any info that may help let me know, but it seems it is reproducible.
Screenshot here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZufzgzdNbBRVms37
Thanks!
how about do it this way.
put up a whole new stock bbs, make a backup and do some transplantation. copy over and re-setup yourdoorgames
copy over and set up your old command shell in sfg
re-setup your msg and file areas.
how customized was your bbs and what are you okay with redoing?
I see garbled strings in each node path field. If I clean it up manually theNo one else has reported that issue, so it is intersting. I'll try a v2.30->v3.19 upgrade path at some point and see if I can reproduce it.
service will start, but I'm wondering if something else could be messed up in cfg file (?) If you need any info that may help let me know, but it seems
it is reproducible.
Screenshot here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZufzgzdNbBRVms37
.ini files with "more settings" is fine (you don't need to add them), the default values are used in that case.
Ok, almost there. Now i get error 500 when accessing the web page, the error reported in the log is:
0376 Error: Guest account unavailable
I suspect I need to enable guest account somewhere (?)
should be asked if you want to create a guest account. If you're past that already, you should be able to create the guest account using the makeguest module:
From Newsgroup: alt.bbs.synchronet
On Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 8:59:17 PM UTC+3, Digital Man wrote:
I see garbled strings in each node path field. If I clean it up manually theNo one else has reported that issue, so it is intersting. I'll try a v2.30->v3.19 upgrade path at some point and see if I can reproduce it.
service will start, but I'm wondering if something else could be messed up in cfg file (?) If you need any info that may help let me know, but it seems
it is reproducible.
Screenshot here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZufzgzdNbBRVms37
.ini files with "more settings" is fine (you don't need to add them), the default values are used in that case.
Ok, almost there. Now i get error 500 when accessing the web page, the error reported in the log is:
0376 Error: Guest account unavailable
I suspect I need to enable guest account somewhere (?)
Re: Re: Upgrading from 2.30 to 3.19b
By: Nightfox to Riba on Wed Jul 20 2022 12:18 pm
should be asked if you want to create a guest account. If you're past that already, you should be able to create the guest account using the makeguest module:
What's the best way to disable the guest account? Remove that module?
What's the best way to disable the guest account? Remove that module?
I thought there was a toggle somewhere to disable the guest account, but now
Nightfox wrote to Phigan <=-
What's the best way to disable the guest account? Remove that module?
Removing that module would have no effect on the guest account.
I thought there was a toggle somewhere to disable the guest
account, but now I don't know for sure how to disable it.
Removing that module would have no effect on the guest account.
I thought there was a toggle somewhere to disable the guest
account, but now I don't know for sure how to disable it.
I think it would be done with the ';UEDIT' command (as Sysop from the main menu), should be User #2, and then use the 'D' command.
To: Riba
Re: Re: Upgrading from 2.30 to 3.19b
By: Riba to alt.bbs.synchronet on Wed Jul 20 2022 08:52 am
Ok, almost there. Now i get error 500 when accessing the web page, the error reported in the log is:
0376 Error: Guest account unavailable
I suspect I need to enable guest account somewhere (?)
During you Synchronet setup, the first time you log in as a sysop, you should be asked if you want to create a guest account. If you're past that already, you should be able to create the guest account using the makeguest module:
http://wiki.synchro.net/module:makeguest
http://wiki.synchro.net/install:setup
(By the way, the Synchronet wiki can be a good resource for questions like this, so you don't have to ask and wait for someone to answer.)
ftelnet.norip.noxfer.min.js?v=2019-08-31:370 Uncaught DOMException: Failed to construct 'WebSocket': The URL 'ws://192.168.8.172:-1' is invalid.
ftelnet.norip.noxfer.min.js?v=2019-08-31:370 Uncaught DOMException: Failed
to construct 'WebSocket': The URL 'ws://192.168.8.172:-1' is invalid.
It looks like it's trying to use -1 as the port number for the web socket port. I don't think -1 is a valid port number.
There's a section on the Synchronet wiki about getting fTelnet to work, and you have to make sure to specify the right configuration in ctrl/services.ini for websocketservice.js:
http://wiki.synchro.net/config:webv4
The wiki includes ports 1123 and 11235. In mine, I have those, plus 4142 (though I'm wondering if the 4142 in my configuration may be leftover from an old configuration which I might not need anymore).
Nightfox
Sysop: | Nelgin |
---|---|
Location: | Plano, TX |
Users: | 606 |
Nodes: | 10 (1 / 9) |
Uptime: | 80:08:47 |
Calls: | 9,643 |
Calls today: | 13 |
Files: | 16,067 |
Messages: | 1,064,374 |
Posted today: | 5 |