upload_max_filesize headache

PHP
1

Hi there,

I need to allow a user to upload files of between 5-10MB. I’m testing the feature out locally using apache, and I get the $_FILES[‘upload’][‘error’] of 1, meaning the file exceeds the maximum upload size stipulated in the php.ini file.

So I found the php.ini file and changes upload_max_filesize = 2M, to upload_max_filesize = 10M, but I’m still getting the same error message.

Actually, as I type this I realise that I should probably restart apache. But I don’t know how to do that! Looking on-line gives me a lot of command line stuff that’s over my head.

Could anyone help me out with a simple step-by-step guide to restarting apache without breaking anything :confused:

Many thanks,
Mike

2

Yes, you do need to restart Apache for the changes to take effect.

Are you running Apache on linux (if so, what distro?) or on windows (via WAMP / XAMPP / etc) ?

3

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply. I’m running apache on mac os x, and I did manage to restart using


sudo apachectl restart

entered my password, and after a little wait, the command prompt reappeared. However, I’m still getting the same error code for my upload, upload exceeds upload filesize limit.

Is there anything else I should check. I have a php.ini file, and a php.ini.default fine in my private/etc folder. Do I need to change the .default file as well?

Many thanks,
Mike

4

No you only need to change the .ini

Also take a look at post_max_size

if post_max_size is smaller than upload_max_filesize then post_max_size is the upper limit:

upload_limit = min(upload_max_filesize, post_max_size)

Also, set them a bit higher than 10M to allow for HTTP overhead; something like 12M should do.

5

Thanks for your reply,

I have changed both post_max_filesize and upload_max_filesize.

When I checked using phpinfo(), i see that the changes have not taken effect, even after restarting apache.

I am running Apache 5.2.5 on a Mac OS X 10.5.8.

I have been working through Kenvin Yank’s SitePoint publication, “Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP and MySQL”, and have made changes to the php.ini file located at private/etc/php.ini which have taken effect. (Magic Quotes etc.)

Phpinfo() is checking /usr/local/php5/lib for the configuration file. Looking in that directory all I have is ‘php.ini-recommended’, which I can’t believe is being used by apache.

My only thoughts could be that some extension or another is over-riding the upload_max_filesize command.

Am I on the right track? If so where would this likely be?

Many thanks,
Mike

6

I’m not sure if there are extensions that can override it, but if there are your best bet would be the Suhosin PHP hardening patch.

7

Thanks for your reply ScallioXTX, which went straight over my head! :confused:

I have fixed the problem though. I placed a copy of my php.ini file into the directory that phpinfo told me apache was checking for a ini file. Turns out that none was loaded.

The thing that confused me was Kevin Yank’s instruction to change private/etc/php.ini, which actually make no difference to apache. Perhaps he was referring to an older version of apache. shrug

Once again, thanks for your help. :slight_smile: