In my time here I have seen many (probably at least once a week) posts seeking support due to the fact that a faulty theme has broken their Postnuke website.
Frankly everyone here is probably sick of answering these queries so I am writing this fix to (hopefully) be placed in the "sticky" area of this forum category.
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Problem: I have just installed a theme and now my Postnuke site is not working - all I get is a "white screen of death" with a small error message....
THIS CAN BE EASILY FIXED THERE IS NO NEED TO REINSTALL POSTNUKE!!!
Possible Reasons:
1.Installing an AutoTheme without the AutoTheme module installed:
Diagnosis:
Open up the file themes/[yourtheme]/theme.php - if you see the following...
Code
// Copyright (c) 2002-2003 Shawn McKenzie
// http://spidean.mckenzies.net
// http://spidean.mckenzies.net
and/or
Code
include("modules/AutoTheme/autotheme.php");
...it means the theme needs the AutoTheme module to work.
Solution:
Visit http://spidean.mckenzies.net and download the AutoTheme module (there is a GPL (free) version and a commercial version). Once you have installed the module the theme will work.
2. You may have placed the theme folder in the wrong directory.
Diagnosis:
Check the themes folder of your Postnuke install, you will see a number of directories there eg ExtraLite. This is where all themes must be kept. Is your theme folder here? If it is open the folder; it should contain the file theme.php
Solution:
Move the folder to the /themes/ folder. If the theme.php file is not present check any other folders contained in the theme directory structure if you find one that contains the theme.php file move it to the /themes/ folder of your postnuke website.
3. The theme is for an older Postnuke version, a different CMS or just plain "broke".
Diagnosis:
You have tried all the above mentioned solutions, but they do not work.
Solution:
(a) If you have access to your CMS directory structure, navigate to your /themes/ directory and change the name of the offending theme directory to something like "pieceOfCrap". Now change the name of a theme directory you are sure that works to the name of the theme that is broken (this must be exacty the same name).
(b) No access to your Postnuke directory structure? Use this method instead:
Just go to this link on your website:
http://yoursite.com/admin.php?module=NS-Settings&op=main&theme=ExtraLite
Just change the settings to a working theme!
What about if the theme is set in My Account? No worries :)
http://yoursite.com/user.php?op=chgtheme&theme=ExtraLite
If you happen to be logged out, no worries :)
Go to this URL and log back in:
http://yoursite.com/user.php?op=loginscreen&module=NS-User&theme=ExtraLite
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There is also a tool called the The Postnuke Swiss Army Knife that can be used in this situation as well, but the above steps should be attempted first.
If you still cannot get your site working you now have permission to post in these forums ;)
Kindest regards
Lobos
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-Lobos
Professional PHP Framework Services: Concept, Development and Deployment
