Newbie Install + Setup Questions Please!

[getresults]

I need YOUR questions about installing + configuring osTicket as a new user.

I've started the process of updating the Wiki to provide much better documentation for the current version of osTicket so that new users have a far easier time installing and configuring it.

What I need now is as many "newbie" questions as you can give to help me identify the areas where new users are having trouble.

Specifically I'm looking for points in the installation process, initial setup or configuration settings that cause you (or caused you) to scratch your head and think "what the heck does that mean?!!".

Please note that I am not talking about fixing install problems, major issues (blank screens etc) - that can come later. Right now I am concentrating on getting the base install + configure documentation improved so that new users can get up and running quickly and easily.

New users - what are your biggest questions and points of confusion with regard to installing & configuring osTicket?

Experienced users - what are the "tips & tricks" you've learned the hard way that you wish you had known as a new user?

Kelli - would you mind making this post sticky?

Thanks everyone!

[Kenneth]

What is the "API" and "API keys" and what are they used for (do I need them?)?



I'll see if I can think of any more.
-Ken

[getresults]

What is the "API" and "API keys" and what are they used for (do I need them?)?


Yes, that's on the list. I'll be writing up full details on how the API works.

Let me know what else you can think of - particularly anything in the settings that is / was confusing or ambiguous.

Thanks!

[egutshall]

I spent an inordinate amount of time just figuring out how to login to the Admin page - there are no links to it from the main page. .../scp is just not obvious to me.

[xrat]

Helo i newly installed the OSticket on wamp .... whenever i try to create new tickets the email autoresponse does not work? is there any step by step tutorial here?

I am reading every single post and updated thread since about 2 weeks. Questions like this one are FAQ, indeed.

[getresults]

I am reading every single post and updated thread since about 2 weeks. Questions like this one are FAQ, indeed.

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming. I'm dealing with some sick family members at the moment so I'm aiming to start updating the documentation later this week.

[xrat]

Here's another one: http://osticket.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12600
"How to move or copy an installation from one server/directory to another"

I understand that this is troublesome for newbies, and there are indeed no instructions, yet. However, it's a step which is recommended since one probably wants to do a test installation but later may decide to move/migrate this on to a production server.

[cmklein]

I am new to this system and trying to install Osticket to an internal server. I have used Wampserver which includes Apache, Mysql an PHP and the system is working fine.

I tried to follow the instructions to install OSTicket as per the Wiki instructions but I get the error as follows ....

osTicket requires short open tags enabled

short_open_tags is turned on in php.ini which I have checked from PhpMyadmin and the physical php.ini file.

I still get this message even with this setting on.



Can anyone enlighten me.

Thanks

[xrat]

Apparently, some folks can't find the URL to login as admin, i.e. http://www.example.com/osticket/scp/

[memo2121]

hi,

i spnt long time facing problems with instalation the main reason is i am not familier with php and the sitting of php (php.ini) and how to configure iis to work with php i think mysql is strait forward and with GUI tools you can easily configure the database and user account.

so installation document should include details about php instalation and sittings in php.ini

like required extintions that should be enabled
imap, crypt , mysql.dll and ...

here are som of the steps that i follow during instalation i note them down for referance i hop it will give you idea about instalation problems

(( sorry about my typo..:)))

================================================== ======
================================================== ======

1- dont use php installer use zip php back
2- in php.ini specify the DLL files directory
extension_dir = "c:\PHP\ext"
- install FastCGI for iis6 from www.iis.net and run the setup file
it will install fcgiext.dll fcgiconfig.js and fcgiext.ini in
C:\WINDOWS\system32\inetsrv
also it will configure iis Web Service Extension to include FastCGI Handler
5- open file fcgiext.ini and add the following at the end of the file
============
[Types]

php=PHP

[PHP]

ExePath=C:\PHP\php-cgi.exe
============
reade the insturctions in fcgiext.ini for more details
6- you have to configure the web site to include the php extention in
Home Directory then Configure then add extintion .php
executable C:\WINDOWS\system32\inetsrv\fcgiext.dll
GET,HEAD,POST and all checks are there
restart the iisadmin service to maek sure every thing is fine
7- add index.php to documents in web site configurations
8- test php by running page contain <?php phpinfo(); ?>
9- install mysql server and use mysqladministrator to configure new database
9- upload the osticket files to web server and start the instalation
10- the problem with php enable mysql modules in php.ini file
-- stop and start everything from beginig again
- after unzip the php setup there wer php.ini-dest and php.ini-recommended i reaname php.ini-recommended to php.ini
- make sure
short_open_tag = On
in php.ini restart iis after change
- after filling instalation for wite page came this is the problem of mysql connection should enable mysql extinsions in php.ini
- make shure the extinsions directory configured in php.ini file in our case
extension_dir = ".\ext"
-configure the sittings.php file located in inclued directory to be read and write so the installation sittings will be stored there
after instalation you will be requisted to remove write permition from this folder.
- i did not face the problems of admin.php login as last time so i want to check php.ini_Old and php.ini_New
i only enabled mysql extinsions in php.ini and the connection to database is fine
- the final but not last problem is when you change email sitting it give you internal error ...
solution is to turn off mysql strict mode as follwo
comment the line and remove STRICT_TRANS_TABLES
# Set the SQL mode to strict
# sql-mode="STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER,NO_ENGINE_ SUBSTITUTION" //stop strict mode
sql-mode="NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER,NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"

now problem with email fitch
- enable imap extinsion to
extension=php_imap.dll
- enable mycryp extinsion
extension=php_mcrypt.dll

================================================== ======

[pettud]

Hi,

I already downloaded & installed osticket program.Ialready uploaded it on my
www.petretudor.ws domain. I tried to use my helpdesk to send an ticket by email to my e-mail address to test it.
But it didn't worked.

How can I know and verify if my server has PHP 4.3+ and MySQL 4.4+?



Sincerely,
Petre Tudor