Finicky htaccess files -- am I doing something wrong?

[Clint1]

I always edit my htaccess file via the cPanel File Manager and have never had any problems. It's also the fastest simplest way. When I've gotten the '500 server error' it was always due to an error on my part in the coding, as in something not acceptable or didn't do a full copy 'n paste of something, etc.

[keyon]

1. Always edit htaccess file as htaccess.txt on your computer.
2. Use notepad like you said.
3. Upload htaccess.txt in ASCII mode to your server and THEN CHANGE to .htaccess in your ftp program.
4. If you downloading .htaccess file to your computer in any case, (while your ftp program prompts for file name) change it to htaccess.txt

.

Thanks, radhika. Your method seems to be foolproof. Works like a charm for me.

[Clint1]

Thanks, radhika. Your method seems to be foolproof. Works like a charm for me.

That's a lot of steps. You don't have cPanel? See post #11 above. That's by far the quickest simplest way.

[keyon]

Thanks, Clint1,
Yes, I'd much rather make the changes from cpanel (in the edit window). I probably didn't do enough experimenting to determine the exact source of the problem. But it does make sense that editing the htaccess file directly from cpanel shouldn't really affect the properties of the file itself.

[Clint1]

Thanks, Clint1,
Yes, I'd much rather make the changes from cpanel (in the edit window). I probably didn't do enough experimenting to determine the exact source of the problem. But it does make sense that editing the htaccess file directly from cpanel shouldn't really affect the properties of the file itself.

As long as you use the File Manager it's not a problem. However, do not try and make changes to the htaccess file via the cPanel GUI interface, such as clicking the "IP Deny" icon or any "Redirects" icons which sort of edit the file for you. Last time I checked, those areas are really buggy and will screw up/overwrite any custom lines you manually added to the file, and they also can introduce buggy code. So just open the file in the File Manager do your typing or cut/copy 'n paste there. (cPanel is aware of this and have refused to do anything about it). Needless to say, be sure you always have a backup of the file.

[keyon]

As long as you use the File Manager it's not a problem. However, do not try and make changes to the htaccess file via the cPanel GUI interface

When I talk about editing the htaccess file via cPanel, I guess I'm talking about going into the file manager, selecting the file, and then clicking "edit code" at the top of the page. Is this the same GUI interface you are talking about?

[Clint1]

When I talk about editing the htaccess file via cPanel, I guess I'm talking about going into the file manager, selecting the file, and then clicking "edit code" at the top of the page. Is this the same GUI interface you are talking about?

(This website is SOOOO SCREWED UP it's PATHETIC. Waiting TEN MINUTES for a page to load is unforgivable!) No, what you're doing is safe. The GUI interface is, like I said, the icons layout on your cPanel home/main page.

[keyon]

Thanks, Clint1. That will make things much easier from now on.

[Clint1]

Sure. .........

[Clint1]

The following line in your first post caught my eyes,


Its strange to hear that despite the removal of newly added part in the htaccess the site isn't recognising it instantly. I think you should speak to your host about this, its a strange behaviour. The server logs should help understand whats causing the delay.

I haven't slept and I can't remember all about this thread, but I believe some have said it's some kind of "caching issue". It's not rare, I've also seen it happen. If you look at the end of his post you'll see he also alluded to that.