GS Web Solutions

How to install Joomla 3.x on Hostgator

How to Update PHP version

Once Joomla software has been uploaded via FTP and you visit your domain name in your Internet Browser you’ll likely see the error message Your host needs to use PHP 5.3.1 or higher to run this version of Joomla! . Hostgator runs PHP version 5.2.x by default but it’s simple to override the default PHP version. Just dot he following:

1. Using your FTP client connect to folder into which you’ve installed Joomla.
2. Rename htaccess.txt to .htaccess
3. Open .htaccess to edit the file
4. Add the following to the top of the .htaccess file

   AddType application/x-httpd-php53 .php

A Joomla compatible version of PHP will now run on Hostgator.

Joomla Register Globals Off problem

If you now refresh your Internet Browser the PHP error will no longer appear but you’ll see that, in the Pre-Installation Check, that there is a red highlighted nonext to Register Globals Off. Here is how to resolve this issue.

1. Log into your Hostgator Cpanel.
2. In the Software/Services section click on php.ini QuickConfig
3. Change the register_globals option to Off and clickSave Changes

In your Web Browser, where you have you domain open, click refresh and you’ll be able to continue to install the latest version of Joomla.
Nice!