Update Error: Undefined constant "DS" - Bug in update script < 4.0.41 !

[HelmutBerger]

Hello, when I want to update from 4.0.38 to 4.0.39 (Joomla 5.0.2) I get the error: Undefined constant "DS". Any idea how to solve this? Thank you!

[ColinM]

Hi
Could you please set in System - Golbal Config - System tab  item Debug System to Yes.  Also set on Sever tab item Error Reporting to Maximum

This will produce a trace of the fault typically 20 lines or so.  Please then include the trace in the body of your reply - NOT an image
Thanks
Colin
PS it is difficult to search for DS as JDOWNLOADS, which ends in DS, appears many times !!

[Arno]

I can't really imagine that this error comes from jDownloads. Perhaps from another, older extension (plugin).
But we'll see what the debugger reports.

[Arno]

Sad to say, but I wait still on the debugger result. Otherwise I must close this topic.

Without the necessary information, we cannot help if the errors cannot be reproduced here.

[HelmutBerger]

Hello, sorry for the delay, here the error-report:

Call Stack
#   Function   Location
1   ()   JROOT/administrator/components/com_jdownloads/helpers/jdownloads.php:24
2   require_once()   JROOT/administrator/components/com_installer/src/Model/UpdateModel.php:565
3   Joomla\Component\Installer\Administrator\Model\UpdateModel->preparePreUpdate()   JROOT/administrator/components/com_installer/src/Model/UpdateModel.php:350
4   Joomla\Component\Installer\Administrator\Model\UpdateModel->update()   JROOT/administrator/components/com_installer/src/Controller/UpdateController.php:58
5   Joomla\Component\Installer\Administrator\Controller\UpdateController->update()   JROOT/libraries/src/MVC/Controller/BaseController.php:730
6   Joomla\CMS\MVC\Controller\BaseController->execute()   JROOT/libraries/src/Dispatcher/ComponentDispatcher.php:143
7   Joomla\CMS\Dispatcher\ComponentDispatcher->dispatch()   JROOT/libraries/src/Component/ComponentHelper.php:361
8   Joomla\CMS\Component\ComponentHelper::renderComponent()   JROOT/libraries/src/Application/AdministratorApplication.php:150
9   Joomla\CMS\Application\AdministratorApplication->dispatch()   JROOT/libraries/src/Application/AdministratorApplication.php:195
10   Joomla\CMS\Application\AdministratorApplication->doExecute()   JROOT/libraries/src/Application/CMSApplication.php:306
11   Joomla\CMS\Application\CMSApplication->execute()   JROOT/administrator/includes/app.php:58
12   require_once()   JROOT/administrator/index.php:32

[Arno]

Thanks. But this is a file from the older version 3.9.x. In the newer releases exist this file never more.

So either you made a mistake with the version, or something went wrong with your update from jDownloads 3.9 to 4.0.

[HelmutBerger]

Thank you for the information, so what would be the solution? Reinstall it (what will be with the data in this case)? Or only replace this one file (which one)?

[Arno]

Reinstall it (what will be with the data in this case)? Or only replace this one file (which one)?

You must first determine which version you have actually installed.
Copying individual files is not possible in this case and would destroy the installation of jDownloads.

If you want I can have a look at your backend. Then please send me the data via PM.

[Arno]

I have just heard from another user that he also received this error message. Could you please try renaming this file on the server and then try again? For example, from jdownloads.php to jdownloads.php.old?

Did you previously install an older version of jDownloads and update it to jDownloads version 4?

[Arno]

I have now found the reason for this user's problems. Most likely he did not follow the instructions and upgraded from a jDownloads version older than 3.9.8.6.

Due to a bug in the update script, this can lead to a faulty installation (like this user). I will release a new version as soon as possible to prevent this.

[Arno]

Hi Helmut,
ich war jetzt mal via FTP auf deinem Server.

Leider ist da einiges schief gelaufen beim Update. 
Eigentlich wird in der Anleitung zum jDownloads 4 update betont, dass man VOR dem Upgrade auf Joomla 4, die aktuellste jDownloads Version der Serie 3.9.x installieren muss (falls nicht schon geschehen).

Das hast du wohl übersehen und das Update dann von einer älteren Version gestartet. Durch einen kleinen Fehler in meinem Update Skript, versucht dieses dann leider eine Neu-Installation durchzuführen, anstelle des Updates. Das führt dann leider zu einem ziemlichen Chaos deiner jDownloads Installation.

Gott sei Dank ist dies aber wohl nur ein paar wenigen Anwendern passiert und ich habe diesen Update Fehler in der neuesten Version behoben, was dir aber ja jetzt aber auch nichts mehr bringt. 

Ich kann dir jetzt nur anbieten deine Installation manuell zu bereinigen. Benötige dafür aber auch Zugriff auf deine Datenbank, da auch hier Änderungen notwendig sind, die durch das nicht ausgeführte Update noch nicht geschehen sind. Die Dateien von der alten Version werde ich manuell via FTP löschen.
Natürlich mache ich das nur, wenn du zuvor entsprechend aktuelle Backups durchgeführt hast.

Eine andere Möglichkeit sehe ich im Moment nicht, da ein Backup mit dem jDownloads Tool nicht kompatibel zur neuen Serie 4 ist und ebenfalls aufwendig manuell angepasst werden müsste, bevor es in der Version 4 wieder hergestellt werden könnte.

Bitte beachte auch die beigefügten Bildschirmfotos.
English:
I have now been to your server via FTP.

Unfortunately, something went wrong with the update. 
The instructions for the jDownloads 4 update actually emphasise that you have to install the latest jDownloads version of the 3.9.x series BEFORE upgrading to Joomla 4 (if you haven't already done so).

You must have overlooked this and started the update from an older version. Due to a small error in my update script, it then unfortunately tries to perform a new installation instead of the update. Unfortunately, this leads to quite a mess in your jDownloads installation.

Thankfully, this has only happened to a few users and I have fixed this update error in the latest version, but this is no longer of any use to you. 

I can only offer you to clean up your installation manually. However, I will need access to your database to do this, as this also requires changes that have not yet been made as a result of the update not being carried out. I will delete the files from the old version manually via FTP.
Of course, I will only do this if you have made up-to-date backups beforehand.

I don't see any other option at the moment, as a backup with the jDownloads tool is not compatible with the new series 4 and would also have to be adapted manually before it could be restored in version 4.

Please also note the attached screenshots.