Error Unauthorized access to downloads.

[ColinM]

Hi
Did you try what I suggested?  When we started the permissions were very messed up and I cleaned up a lot.  The old beta version probably did not handle permissions as they now need to be - also Joomla! changed some things at various times!!

Seems you need to put up a test site that we can work with when you get over your present immediate challenge.

If I were starting again I would, on a test site, do something like the following:

   
• make a copy of jDownloads file in the root and also use ftp to download them to my PC
• take a jD backup for possible use
• uninstall the present old beta version
• Rename the jdownloads folder (we now have 2 copies)
• use MyPhpAdmin to delete the jdownloads tables
• Install jd v46.
• now add a few top level categories and some of their files to the new jdownloads directory from the saved directory (do not be too ambitious i actually find it simpler to have the files on myPC and then use ftp to re-upload as this is better structured).
• checkout that these are ok.
• then add some more directories and files.
• You may need to edit the names of the downloads back to what you had before
• tidy up the saved directories etc.

Colin

[Arno]

You could also send us the backup data from your old beta installation via PM. Then we could test it here locally with this data and an update to the newest jD. 
By the way: what is your PHP version?

[deejay_xb]

All linkages are restored all files downloadable (phew..).
I used a crosscheck between b2hsr_jdownloads_files cat_id and b2hsr_assets to reset correct parent_id. This seems tobe  all that was missing (which save actually restored). This way I repaired all downloadable files.

PHP version is 5.4.40.

What should the backup contain?

[Arno]

What should the backup contain?

Optimal would be an Akeeba backup file (with download link via PM).
All downloadable files are not required in this backup file.
So we need only the Joomla installation (with all extensions) incl. DB but without the files from /jdownloads.

An akeeba backup can very fast installed on any another place. You can be sure that we would delete after our work again all data.

[deejay_xb]

Thank you for all your help.
After a full backup I upgraded to joomla 3.4.6 and put back the original .php files from latest jD (3.2.46) and everything works ok.
I would say that the slightest linkage error in any of the downloads causes permission issues and false errors.

[ColinM]

Well done. 
The Joomla! permissions setup does not tolerate any linkage errors!  Would be very helpful to send Arno the Back so he can refine any upgrade.
Colin

[deejay_xb]

Tomorrow I'll provide the backup link via PM. Thanks again!

[deejay_xb]

I have a new one for you guys... acl manager repairs done messed all the docman downloads. The only way was to restore from backup assets table from a day before... and reaply jD mysql hacks along with beta versions .php files. It seems that only now all the public files (jD and docman) are truly accesible... I sure hope the phone don't ring no more...

[Arno]

Hi,
excuse me but i do not understand really what you have done (in detail).
But the main thing is that it works again.

For us would it be helpful to get an backup file. So we could try to find a solution for updates from so very old versions.
Also when an update first after nearly 2 years is not the standard. Problems are then a normal thing.

[Webwork1]

I was having that error on my site and disabled hotlink protection in the current version. Error resolved It went away. but i was only having it on direct links to files..

There seems to an issue with browser caching (not joomla side) and hotlink protection, whereby a ban caused by hotlink use, results in a permanent inability to access the file(s) even using appropriate methods. Clearing the browser cache also resolves, but reoccurs after first ban.

not sure if this helps.

Also noticed that upgrades leave the old default templates even if new versions exists, manually selecting the new ones solves a lot of problems. This is probably by design in case people customized them.

[ColinM]

Hi
Thanks for input.  Will checkout hot link protection.  Could you advise which browser you were using please.

Also noticed that upgrades leave the old default templates even if new versions exists, manually selecting the new ones solves a lot of problems. This is probably by design in case people customized them

.
Yes this is by design as some people have heavily customised the old style layout.  The old style layouts are not loaded if you are doing a first time jD install.

Colin

[ColinM]

@Webwork1
Hi
I set Hot linking on and tried with Firefox, Edge and Chrome.  There were no problems in downloading public files.  I had all other security options off. Could you perhaps identify any other settings please.
Colin