Apache error log

Dear s2member team,

My website host server tells me that I am experiencing a large number of truncated header scripts that is causing my apache error log to be huge, which is why my site crashes a lot these days.

I protect some pages with s2member login such as:
http://www.asianscientist.com/academia/experts-caution-against-removing-science-from-school-curriculum-022013/

Here is an example of what the apache log looks like:

[Wed Feb 06 18:45:17 2013] [error] [client 217.160.223.166] client denied by server configuration: /home/asians7/public_html/wp-content/plugins/s2member/includes/timthumb
[Wed Feb 06 18:45:15 2013] [error] [client 217.160.223.166] client denied by server configuration: /home/asians7/public_html/wp-content/plugins/s2member/includes/timthumb.php

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

JC

Thanks for your inquiry. ~ We appreciate your patience :-)

The file referenced in those log entries does not exist in a default s2Member® installation.
/wp-content/plugins/s2member/includes/timthumb.php

TimThumb is a software application that generates thumbnail images (very popular), but s2Member® has no functionality that requires the use of this software; and thus, does not ship with that file. See: http://www.binarymoon.co.uk/projects/timthumb/

I recommend that you obtain a fresh copy of s2Member® and s2Member® Pro from your account here at s2Member.com. Please follow the installation/upgrade instructions here.

s2Member® » Pro » Install/Upgrade Instructions

Please let us know if problems persist :-)

Dear Jason – thank you for your reply.

Before I go through an installation and upgrade, could I ask whether such a move will definitely remove the timthumb.php conflict? Is that the best thing I can do right now?

Also, what about all my settings that were there before?

Thank you.

Thanks for the follow-up :-)

Before I go through an installation and upgrade, could I ask whether such a move will definitely remove the timthumb.php conflict? Is that the best thing I can do right now?

Yes, because it sounds like your existing installation has been corrupted or modified in some way.

Also, what about all my settings that were there before?

It’s always a good idea to back things up before you make a change. Please make sure s2Member’s Deactivation Safeguards are enabled (following the instructions here), and you’ll be fine. Your configuration of s2Member should not be lost during an upgrade.

Hi Jason, thank you for your reply. I have done as suggested, delete and reinstall a fresh s2members and s2members-pro.

There were new errors after the reinstall:

[Mon Feb 11 20:01:58 2013] [error] [client 217.160.167.63] client denied by server configuration: /home/asians7/public_html/wp-content/plugins/s2member/includes/timthumb
[Mon Feb 11 20:01:52 2013] [error] [client 217.160.167.63] client denied by server configuration: /home/asians7/public_html/wp-content/plugins/s2member/includes/functions/timthumb.php

These were the most common two error messages.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Best,
JC

Thanks for the follow-up :-)

Wow. Very odd. Those files don’t even exist in s2Member®.
Please submit a Dashboard login and we’ll review your installation.
See: s2Member® » Private Contact Form

Details received. Thank you!

I just reviewed your installation and I do not find a timthumb directory or timthumb.php file mentioned in your Apache logs. So this leads me to believe that you have a plugin or a custom script, or a browser which is attempting to reach this URL for some unknown reason and Apache is choking due to a configuration issue.

It really should be reporting a 404 error, but it looks like you’re having some trouble with Apache overall. I’m seeing several core dumps in your web directory. I would suggest that you hire a system administrator (or contact your hosting company) to resolve this for you. I don’t see anything here that is specifically related to problems with s2Member®. This appears to be caused by server configuration issues.

See also: http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/httpd-client-denied-by-server-configuration/

[Wed Feb 06 18:45:17 2013] [error] [client 217.160.223.166] client denied by server configuration: /home/asians7/public_html/wp-content/plugins/s2member/includes/timthumb
[Wed Feb 06 18:45:15 2013] [error] [client 217.160.223.166] client denied by server configuration: /home/asians7/public_html/wp-content/plugins/s2member/includes/timthumb.php

Hi Jason – thanks I have gone back to my hosting service. Initially they asked me to talk to s2member…. so we’ll see how things go. Thanks again!

Hey Jason, resetting s2members login has led to other problems:

signup: http://www.asianscientist.com/sign-up/

scroll down to see the problem: http://www.asianscientist.com/sign-up/

Any help is appreciated.

Hi Juliana.

I see that the shortcodes aren’t being parsed. I’m guessing you may have an incomplete installation of s2Member. Could you please re-upload s2Member? Knowledge Base » Common Troubleshooting Tips » Corrupt/Missing Files

I hope that helps. :)

I just did that. It didn’t solve the problem. Can you help? Thank you.

Hmm I think I fixed it. It had to do with the sign-up form being level 0 instead of 1..

Oh, thanks for the update. I’m glad you fixed it. :)