Faq Handbook

The FAQ Handbook has been replaced by a proper FAQ section at dhost.info
check out http://dhost.info/content/section/3/36/

Thanks to Mo-J (Jain) for originally creating this FAQ and thanks to all who pitched in and contributed to this FAQ.
Thanks to Shaq for updating this FAQ from invisionboard to SMF.

I will try to keep this FAQ as updated as possible.

((Use "CTRL + F" to help FIND what you're looking for.))

Category: Administration and Staff

Question: Who is the Founder/Server Admin of dhost.info?
Answer: The Administrator and Founder of DeluXe Network is Michael.

Question: How do I contact the administrator Michael?
Answer: You can contact Michael via private message here at the forums (click HERE to do it) or you can email him at http://dhost.info/component/option,com_contact/Itemid,3/

Question: Who are the Admins/Moderators of this forum?
Answer: Admins: Michael and xJasonx.
Moderators: Mr.Dark.E, jjb123, Jimmy0, Safaia Ryuujin, and Endrju.
International Moderators:

Netherlands - Matres
Poland - Filip-PL, Zhu Yuan Da

Question: How do I become a forum Moderator?
Answer: You have to visit this forum on a daily basis and help out and participate in threads around this forum.

Post counts do not effect the chances of you becoming a mod.

It is up to the Admins and Other Moderators to decide who becomes the next moderator if the forum needs one of course, so please do not ask!

Category: Server Information

Question: When did Dhost open?
Answer: Dhost opened in June 2004.

Question: Where is the server for Dhost located?
Answer: The server is located in the U.S.A. Chicago to be exact.

Question: Who is the provider for Dhost?
Answer: You can find more information on the provider by visiting www.fdcservers.net

Question: Where does the money come from to pay for this service?
Answer: The money comes from ads such as the one on the main page. Donations can be made through paypal or by snail mail (USA ONLY).

Question: I would like to make a donation to Dhost. How do I do so?
Answer: You can make a donation through paypal. You can:
Paypal to: Michael[at]front.ru (owner)
Paypal to: xfreelancerx[at]gmail.com (Community)
Snail mail: Click "Cash or check" (USA only)

All donations are appreciated, every coin counts!

Question: Other than donations how could I support this service?
Answer: You can create a link back to www.dhost.info from your site.

Question: How long can I expect downtime to be?
Answer: Downtime will be only about 5 minutes long unless there is another problem.

Question: What version of PHP is installed on the Dhost server?
Answer: PHP Version 5.2.3 is installed oh the server. There are also GD and Zlib extensions.

Question: What are my MySQL settings? I've lost them
Answer: You need to have a MySQL database created already. (If not, scroll down to next question)

Database host: mysql
Database name: your username
Database username: your username
Database password: your password

Question: How do I create a MySQL database?
Answer: Visit dhost.info and login. Scroll down a little and click "Create a database". You need to have a database [created] before you can access anything dealing with MySQL. The password to MySQL corresponds to the password for your account.

Question: How can I administrate my database?
Answer: Login with your existing database username and password at:

http://dhost.info/phpmyadmin/

Question: What can run on the Dhost server?
Answer: PHP (with GD and Zlib extensions), MySQL, HTML, CSS.

Question: What's the local path?
Answer: /usr/local/apache2/htdocs/username/

Question: Where can I check my Hosting Space Usage?
Answer: You can check you account usage by logging into you ftp account on Dhost. It will echo back a response similar to this at the top of the ftp statistics.

Quote

230-OK. Current restricted directory is /
230-299 files used (X%) - authorized: 10,000 files
230 3340 Kbytes used (X%) - authorized: 102400 Kb

Question: PHP variables don't get sent to pages?
Answer: DHOST doesn't support global variables, thus you must include POST (aka HTTP_POST_VARS) or GET (aka HTTP_GET_VARS) on variables that are passed to other scripts.

$_POST['variable'] - Variables that are directly sent to same/other script.
$_GET['variable'] - Variables passed over the URL. (i.e. script.php?action=go)

If you don't want to have the hassle of adding POST or GET to all of your variables...add this to the very top of your php script:

Code:

extract($_POST);
extract($_GET);

That code turns $_POST['variable'] and $_GET['variable'] into $variable.

Question: Where can I find the Terms of Service?
Answer: You can find the terms of service at www.dhost.info/tos.html

Question: Is there a limit to how large the files I upload are?
Answer: Nope, only up to the size of your web space.

Question: Is there a limit to how many files I can upload?
Answer: Yes, you may upload up to 10,000 files.

Limit may be raised, under certain conditions.

Question: Is there a limit to the space I use in my MySQL database?
Answer: No, its unlimited. Many users are using 60MB+.

Question: Is there a minimum amount of hits my website needs to get?
Answer: Yes. Your website needs to receive at least 1 hit per week or it will be deleted!

Question: Does Dhost make backups of users websites?
Answer: No, backups of websites are the users responsibility. Once a website has been deleted, it is gone from the server.

Question: Are there any ads on Dhost user's sites?
Answer: Yes, for the time being, there are ads on every page in the lower lefthand corner.

Category: What's allowed?

Question: Can I create a Dhost account to store files?
Answer: No, absolutely not! Dhost is not a file storage service. Accounts found doing this will be deleted immediately! You can use XTHost to store your files.

Question: Can I host a mailing list?
Answer: NO! Your account with be under questioning if you send out more than 10 emails per hour.

Question: What language am I allowed to use on my website?
Answer: Any language from the list below:

Common: English, Polish, German, and Spanish.

Estonian, Finnish, Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Slovene, Serbo-Croatian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, English (proper), Dutch, Luxembourgian (Moselle Franconian), High German (proper), Alemannic (incl. Swiss German), Bavarian (incl. Austrian German), Icelandic, Faroese, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Portuguese, (Castilian) Spanish, Catalan, French, Venetian, (Tuscan & Central) Italian, South Italian (incl. Neapolitan), Sicilian, (Daco-)Romanian, Gheg Albanian, Tosk Albanian, Greek, Tatar, (Osman) Turkish, Maltese, Belorussian, (Lowland) Scots, Low Saxon (Low German proper), Galician, Francoprovençal, Piedmontese, Ligurian, Lombard, Emilian, Corsican, North Sámi, Karelian (proper), Olonetsian, Erzya, Moksha, Eastern Mari, Udmurt, Permyak, Komi (proper), Tundra Nenets, Lower orbian, Upper Sorbian, Burgenland Croatian, Rusyn, Western Frisian, Cimbrian, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Asturian, Aragonese, Algherese Catalan, Provençal, Gascon, Walloon, Romansch, Ladin, Friulian, Gallurese Sardinian, Logudorese Sardinian, Campidanese Sardinian, Sassarese Sardinian, Aromunian, Arbëreshë Albanian, Romani, Chuvash, Bashkir, Nogai, Trukhmen, Gagauz, Kalmyk, Basque, South Sámi, Lule Sámi, Inari Sámi, Skolt Sámi, Kildin Sámi, Ingrian, Ludian, Vepsian, Western ari, Kashubian (proper), Molise Croatian, Eastern Frisian, Northern Frisian, Yiddish (Judeo-German), Breton, Leonese, Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), Languedocien, Auvergnat, Limousin, Channel Island rench, Istriot, Istro-Romanian, Meglenitic, Arvanitika Albanian, Tsakonian, Italiot Greek, Pontic Greek, Karaim, Crimean Tatar, Cypriot Arabic, Ume Sámi, Pite Sámi, Akkala Sámi, Ter Sámi, Livonian, Votian, Italkian (Judeo-Italian), Yevanic (Judeo-Greek), Krimchak (Judeo-Crimean Tatar), Kemi Sámi, Southern Mansi, Polabian, Slovincian, (Old) Prussian, Norn, Gothic, Manx Gaelic, Cornish, Mozarabic, Shuadit (Judeo-Provençal), Zarphatic (Judeo-French), and Dalmatian.

Thanks to Newfie for providing the list!

Question: Why are European languages only allowed?
Answer: To prevent abuse. If it's in a language we can't read, how will we know if it follows the TOS?

Question: Can I have more then 1 account?
Answer: Yes, but only if it has content and still follows the TOS.

Question: Can I have downloads on my site?
Answer: Yes, but your site must have some actual content along with the downloads.

Question: Am I allowed to create a forum-only site at Dhost?
Answer: Yes, although we do not guarantee acceptance.

Question: Can I use PHP, ASP, and/or CGI Scripts?
Answer: Out of those three, PHP is the only scripting language that is allowed.

Question: Do you allow adult sites?
Answer: No! Absolutely not, sites found with adult content will be deleted immediately!

Question: Do you allow Sexually Explicit Content?
Answer: Deluxe Host does not allow the storage of sexually explicit content on any of its accounts. Nor does it allow linking to any content of similar nature from pages stored at Deluxe Host.

Question: Do you allow hotlinking?
Answer: No, hotlinking is not allowed, although, you can link your avatar and signature from your account onto the Dhost forums.

Hotlinking: Hotlinking is when somebody puts an image or a link to a file on their site but using the copy on the Dhost server and that takes up your bandwidth for that file or image and not theirs. Make sure you upload everything to your own space that is provided my Dhost and not copy anyone else's files from their server.

Category: Requesting.

Question: Can I get a personalized or pop3 email account from Dhost?
Answer: At the moment no. We may add this feature in the future sometime.

Question: How can I get a space or bandwidth upgrade?
Answer: You may make a request for additional resources in the request section. Be sure to follow Guidelines first.

Question: Is Gd And/or Imagemagick Libraries Supported?
Answer: Nope. There are no plans to support these in the near future either.

Question: Are .htaccess And/or .htpasswd Files Supported?
Answer: There are no restrictions on uploading these files. Though these files are not supported to actually function within user accounts, thus useless.

Question: Can I Change My Dhost Account Username?
Answer: It's not possible -- you can't change your Dhost username, and neither will Michael.

Tip: Delete your old account and re-signup.

Question: Can I Host My Domain On Dhost?
Answer: Domain services are no longer supported.

Use URL forwarding.

Question: Does Dhost offer paid hosting?
Answer: No, Dhost only provides free hosting.

Question: Is it free for commercial use?
Answer: Yes!

Question: How many MySQL databases am I allowed to have?
Answer: There is a limit to 1 MySQL database per account. If you believe you need more than one, look into "Prefixing".

Question: Can Dhost Make Alterations To Php.ini
Answer: Simple answer is no. If you require a hosting service with a specific configuration, buy a dedicated server then.

Question: What can I do when my web space is full?
Answer: Make a request at the 'Requests' forum. Make sure you meet the requirements first!

Category: Troubleshooting

Question: My account seems to have disappeard. Where is my account? Why was my account deleted?
Answer: There are two reasons why your account could get deleted:

It violated the TOS.
It was deleted for inactivity (No hits within a weeks period)

Question: How long does it take to process my registration application?
Answer: More or less, one to three days. If it has been longer than a week, assume your application has been deleted.

Question: I signed up but I haven't received any email!
Answer: Here are the following reasons why you haven't received an email:

We have not gotten around to it yet.
It was deleted without a confirmation email because it was classified as spam.
Your server thought the email was spam and sent it to the Junk Mail folder.
In rare cases, technical issues interfered with your application submittion/validation.

Question: I can't register on dhost.info!
Answer: Sometimes the signup script is down. Try again in a few hours. Also check here at the forums for updates.

Question: I've just signed up but my FTP doesn't work!
Answer: You must first get your registration application approved before you can use your ftp.

Question: I need help NOW! Does Dhost have any live help?
Answer: YES! You may receive live chat support by going to dhost.info/help. Unfortunately, now days this is rarely used.

Question: I Cannot Remove A Folder!
Answer: This is commonly due to the folder not being empty yet.

This issue arises due to dot files still residing in the folder, the most common being .htaccess. Even though you may not have specifically uploaded it, it would have been included in a script.

Solution is to remove the dot file. If you ftp client cannot view dot files, you must send a custom command:

Code:

DELE .htaccess

This should remove the file, and allow you to remove the folder as usual.

Question: How can I delete all my MySQL tables?
Answer: Log into PhpMyAdmin and click the database name on the left panel. On the right panel that just loaded up, scroll down to where it says "Check all", and to the right of that, click down the drop down menu and select DROP.

Question: Phpmyadmin won't accept my password!
Answer: Make sure that you have created a database first. You can create a database by logging into the main site. Below the phpmyadmin option, there is a create a MySQL database button, you will need to click that. The password to phpmyadmin corresponds to the password for your account.

Question: How Can I Upload Files?
Answer: DeluXe Host does not have it's own web FTP, you will need an FTP client to upload files.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a simple way to upload files onto your DHOST account. There are many FTP clients out there for you to use, here is a list of some:

Once you have successfully downloaded, installed, and read the readme files for the FTP client you have/downloaded, here is the information you need to connect to DHOST:

FTP ADDRESS: ftp.dhost.info/
USERNAME: (Your username)
PASSWORD: (Your Password)
PORT: 21

--------------------------------------

If you cannot download an ftp client (for whatever reason), open up your browser (preferably Internet Explorer 6) and type in "ftp.dhost.info/". A Popup screen will display asking for your username and password. Enter them and click ok.

--------------------------------------

Tip: Be sure that "Log on anonymously" is UNCHECKED.
Tip: Your website via URL will come up as a 404 until after the FIRST time you have connected via ftp.

--------------------------------------

Question: I can't connect to ftp, it says my password is invalid.
Answer:

Wait for your registration application to be approved.
If you are unable to log into the main site, visit your website in the url form (http://dhost.info/username/).
If it comes up as a 404, and you have previously been able to log into ftp, your site has been deleted.
If you have waited over 24 hours and you have activated your email/account, PM Michael.

Question: Why Was My Website Deleted?
Answer: If you believe your site was deleted, please use this as a checklist:

Did your site receive at least one hit within the last week?
Did your site contain a mailing list or sent out more then 10 emails per hour?
Did your site contain or link to: pornography, warez, roms?
Did you use your website simply for downloads?
Do you believe someone hacked your account and deleted your site? (Your password was probably easy to guess)

If any of the (common) reasons listed above are true, do not post a new topic about it. It will be locked (most likely) or deleted.

If you believe your site did not break any of the rules in the TOS or any reasons listed above:

The preferred way to find out why your site was deleted is to private message Michael with your username.
If you do decide to create a new topic - most importantly, specify your username in your post!!!

Question: Whenever I visit my page, I see a blank white screen!
Answer: Because PHP errors are suppressed, white screens represent php/mysql errors. Basically when there is a php error, the page halts execution, so nothing is displayed. Double check your configuration in your scripts. Afterwards, check your scripts for syntax errors and use of global variables (Dhost does support these as mentioned above).