Project:Support desk/Sections/Uploading

__NEWSECTIONLINK__ = Uploading Support =

pdf woes

 * MediaWiki: 1.11.0
 * PHP: 5.2.5
 * MySQL: 5.0.45
 * URL: Internal only

I don't have an error; just a problem. Actually, 2 problems. Here's the scenario: I have ~1000 pdf manuals I would like searchable and indexed into my wiki. I have searched though every extension that I could find. Most of the extensions about pdfs are for creating pdfs out of wiki pages. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
 * 1) How do I transfer files to a wiki without doing them 1 at a time? I tried just putting 1 into the images dir but it looks like they need a DB entry as well.
 * 2) How do I make pdf files searchable on my wiki? I would love to do it as google has; click here for the file or click here to see it in html format.

—BruceWayne 16:54, 24 January 2008 (UTC)


 * There's the importImages.php maintenance script, but that's just bare-bones, and uploading them as files won't index the text contents as far as I'm aware. Tuvok[Talk/en.wp] 08:28, 26 January 2008 (UTC)


 * That looks like it will import the pdfs. I'll have to go through the php and see if I can make it recursive. I think there's a couple hundred folders.
 * How's about making them search-able?
 * Forgot to sign my last comment.. Doh! —bruceWayne 14:22, 30 January 2008 (UTC)


 * How is this going for you? As for making pdfs searchable you would have to configure your Wiki to be able to read the pdf text and then mod SpecialSearch.php to include whatever folder these are in. -PatPeter, [[Image:Tournesol.png|20px]] MediaWiki Support Team  02:35, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

Uploaded file's permissions

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0rc1
 * PHP: 5.2.5 (apache)
 * MySQL: 5.0.45-community
 * URL: Tibiafans Wiki

I'm having trouble with uploading on MediaWiki. I have made sure uploads are enabled (LocalSettings.php) and have CHMODed the image upload folder to 777 and 755 (I have tried both) with the option 'recurse into subdirectories' enabled (a feature in my FTP client - pretty self-explanatory).

I can upload images, but once they are uploaded they:


 * have a 644 CHMOD
 * cannot be viewed (in the browser) and cannot be edited, CHMODed, or even deleted via FTP.

I'd like to know what could be causing this. Thanks in advance. —58.7.76.136 09:37, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

Uploading works and then fails: internal server error

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.1.6 (apache2handler)
 * MySQL: 5.0.22
 * URL: http://wiki.bibliotheekweek.be

I have a Wiki installation in which uploading of images and pdf's is enabled. All worked well, but after some tests the same error is thrown (translated from Dutch): internal server error, Map “public/archive/5/57 could not be created. These are my settings in LocalSettings.php

$wgEnableUploads = true; $wgCheckFileExtensions = true; $wgFileExtensions = array('png', 'gif', 'jpg', 'jpeg', 'doc', 'xls', 'mpp', 'pdf'); $wgUploadDirectory = "/home/wiki/upload"; $wgUploadPath = "{$wgScriptPath}/upload";

The upload actually happened in the right directory during testing but it seems like these settings are 'forgotten' in a way. After deleting the upload-directory and recreating it again, things work fine again.

Can you help? —81.246.127.226 10:05, 11 April 2008 (UTC)

Upload bug on Windows server

 * MediaWiki: 1.11.2
 * PHP: 5.2.5
 * MySQL: 5.0.45
 * URL: http://www.wkwiki.com/Wikipedia:%E5%88%86%E9%A1%9E%E7%B4%A2%E5%BC%95

Hi, Im using WAMP, I can upload "normal name" image files on my mediawiki(english characters and numbers), but I cannt upload special characters like Chinese. It shows like "Could not rename file "D:\...\Temp\*.tmp" to special characters.jpg". Some times the upload succeed, but the system could not find the upload image, the image name has been changed to another strange filename. Ive been searched google, it seems like Chinese Windows system uses GBK to name files, not utf-8, is that so? How to fix it up?

—Werran 19:50, 12 April 2008 (UTC)


 * Hello I have the same problem, how to fix this?

(Semi-Solved) no uploaded files in file-article

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.1.6
 * MySQL: 4.1.20
 * URL: only intranet...

When uploading a file, I can see it in the special pages file list (and I can download it), but in the corresponding automatically genereated article (e.g. "Bild:foo.gif", using the german version, i.e. "Image:foo.gif") it says that there is no uploaded image ("No file by this name exists, you can upload it.") ...

The file is there, it's in the corresponding directory on the server, I can see it in the list of uploaded files, but I can not get an link to it anywhere else.

Any ideas? —80.132.179.214 11:06, 17 April 2008 (UTC)


 * Funny thing... after three days, the images suddenly appeared in the articles... though I still don't know, what was (is?) going on here... I had cleared caches, truncated cachetable and everything (according to FAQ and manual) before...--80.132.181.8 13:32, 21 April 2008 (UTC)


 * I have the same problem (PHP 5.2.5, MySQL 5.0.41). I had a working local MediaWiki 1.12-Installation on Mac OSX where I uploaded images and they were available at once. After upgrading to MW 1.13.0rc1 I first got errors about oi_sha1 missing in the table, no picture was shown at all. After creating that field, pictures where shown again. No more error. But when uploading pictures, it can take several hours on my local installation until the picture is available. Doesn't help if I clear or purge caches. Doesn't help if I shut down and restart server. No jobs in queue. No error logs. Strange. --91.8.100.217 04:45, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

Upgrading from 1.10 to 1.12 did not work

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.2.5 (cgi-fcgi)
 * MySQL: 5.0.45-community-log1.10
 * URL: http://ubuntu-il.com/wiki/

note: I am not the one who ran the update shell scripts so I am not sure they were run correctly.

the bug: Try to create a new page or search for something in the search-box and you will see an error. The database must have been corrupted or not-updated somehow.

—Amir Eldor 18:22, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

Workaround for 777 permissions to upload directory

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.2.0 (cgi)
 * MySQL: 4.0.27-standard
 * URL: http://www.dnylabs.org/wiki/

Hello. I am having support problems by my hosting company. The hosting company does not allow 777 permission access for security reasons. Due to this, mkdir, rename directory, deletion of images, phpfreechat etc does not work. Even though I set 3 things: $wgSaveDeletedFiles = false; $wgFileStore['deleted']['directory'] = null; $wgHashedUploadDirectory = false; There is still some problem while archiving and deleting as the folders cannot get created due to the restrictions. Is there anyway I can work around this. Ideas: 666 perms, Images folder on another domain.

—202.54.42.229 07:41, 29 April 2008 (UTC)


 * If you can find a workaround more power to you, but I'm going to suggest that if you are just starting out and it wouldn't be too difficult, change hosts. I see you started this wiki on April 6, so while it might be a hassle to move, or re do the work you've done, it could prevent more hardships later.  But honestly I don't know, it might not be a problem at all.
 * You seem to be using WEBSUPPORTERS.COM. That's a pretty good price, if my currency converter calculator is correct, though they don't give you a lot of disk space.  So it's your call.  I can't help you with a workaround, though, sorry. Smaug  [[Image:Tournesol.png|20px]] 14:48, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

Problems uploading files

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.0.4 (apache2handler)
 * MySQL: 4.1.20
 * URL: http://wiki.caid-commons.org/

I have been trying to get the current version to be able to upload without success.

I am getting the following error: The upload directory (public) is not writable by the webserver.

I have set all directory & file permissions in both ssh and ftp.

Please help

—71.103.178.42 12:51, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

linking to preloaded files.

 * MediaWiki: (Reported by your Wiki's Special:Version page)
 * PHP:
 * MySQL:
 * URL:

I have some files copied to the images folder and I want to refer to these files in wiki, but If I give the path to these files it still takes me to the upload page when i click on it. and these files do not show up in the list of files uploaded. Please help.

Regards —169.200.215.14 07:27, 14 May 2008 (UTC)


 * You could always upload the file the MW way. Smaug [[Image:Tournesol.png|20px]] 17:04, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

I have around 80 files which I have alredy kept in the images folder. I just want to provide a link to them in the WIki. IF i give the path and the filename and then click on it, wiki give me the upload page and I don't want to upload all 80 files through Wiki when I already have them in the images folder....Is there a way ?

Thanks - Sagar


 * I can't say that there isn't a way, but I do not know of a way. Smaug [[Image:Tournesol.png|20px]] 18:09, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

Unable to upload larger Files

 * MediaWiki: (Reported by your Wiki's Special:Version page)
 * PHP:
 * MySQL:
 * URL: intern

Whenever I try to upload larger pdf-files (~8mb) IE freezes. What's the deal with this?!

—193.58.223.71 10:02, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Unable to upload any file
I'm unable to upload any kind of file. I tried it with four or five diffrent files, but it doesn't work.

It uploads the file, makes an insert to _images (database), and the file exists in the wiki/images directory, but when I go to the Image:File.png (for example) site, there's only the following text: There's no image with this name, but you can Upload one.

What am I doing wrong? And how can I repair this?

How to view the content of the newly uploaded file

 * MediaWiki: (Reported by your Wiki's Special:Version page)
 * PHP:
 * MySQL:
 * URL:

I already have a file uploaded on the server and I need to make change to this same file frequently. Is there a way for me to be able to view the content of the newly updated file right after uploading it to the server? Your suggestion is appreciated. Tien Thai —TienThai 19:57, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

Can't upload files and error description doesn't helps

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.2.0-8+etch11 (apache2handler)
 * MySQL: 5.0.32-Debian_7etch5-log
 * URL: http://vs76.sauer-cs.de/wiki

Hello, I have a problem with uploading files. If I try to upload a file using the specialpage "Upload" and press the button "Upload file" after choosing a file the "Upload" page reloads and looks like this:

START of example -->>>

Upload warning

Protected page

<<<-- END of example

I already checked php.ini - file_uploads = On is set, the size limit is also greater than the test files.

Uploading is enabled in LocalSettings.php

$wgEnableUploads = true; $wgFileExtensions = array('png', 'gif', 'jpg', 'jpeg', 'doc', 'xls', 'mpp', 'pdf','zip'); $wgGroupPermissions['*'           ]['upload'] = false; $wgGroupPermissions['user'        ]['upload'] = false; $wgGroupPermissions['autoconfirmed']['upload'] = true; $wgAutoConfirmAge = 86400 * 4; # Four days times 86400 seconds/day $wgSaveDeletedFiles = true;
 * 1) Files allowed to upload
 * 1) Allow upload only for users who are long enough here
 * 1) BackUp deleted files

The image directory is also writable and executable. I tried to upload PDF files, JPEGs and PNGs - nothing works. :(

—Nasenbaer 19:18, 11 June 2008 (UTC)


 * In what usergroup is the user that tries to upload? --TheDevilOnLine 10:23, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

Trouble in images upload

 * MediaWiki: (Reported by your Wiki's Special:Version page)
 * PHP:
 * MySQL:
 * URL:

Hi all i'm Ugo and i come from Italy, just start a my new wiki project with your fantastic software. I'm having trouble about upload images, i've read enoug on manual, but no one template in there ( i mean template step to step for newbies). FIRST QUESTION : When i try to insert an image and i use the link i have the link, then i click the link and go to the upload form; here something happen.. because he says : " the folder can't be written by the server" ( i have the folder "images" in my main wiki directory setting to 755 permission). What i need is an explaination "step to step" about how i have to compile the form ( with the right paths) with simple examples. SECOND QUESTION : Is there a way to show directly an external image on my wiki page ( for example http://www.mysite.com/imgexample.jpg )? I have tried to do this, but the only result is to have a link to the image and not the image directly. Sorry for my bad English and thanks in advance for any help you can !

Ugo —82.57.173.2 13:44, 19 June 2008 (UTC)

Upload File Error on Windows
MediaWiki: 1.11.0 PHP: 5.2.5 (apache2handler) MySQL: 5.0.50-enterprise-gpl-nt-log
 * URL:

I setup the following paramerers in the localsettings.php and created the directory under images, but I get an upload error. I've checked the Windows directory permissions and it's fine. Any suggestions?

$wgUploadDirectory	= "127.0.0.1/mediawiki/images/DEV"; $wgFileExtensions = array( 'png', 'gif', 'jpg', 'jpeg', 'ppt', 'pdf', 'doc', 'psd', 'mp3','xls', 'doc', 'mpp', 'txt');

ERROR: The upload directory (public) is not writable by the webserver.

Retrieved from "http://127.0.0.1/mediawiki/index.php/Special:Upload"


 * Update: I removed the $wgUploadDirectory parameter from the localsettings.php file and the upload worked to the default directory.  Is there a bug in 1.11 when using the $wgUploadDirectory parameter?


 * Melissa
 * —Mdougherty08 16:26, 19 June 2008 (UTC)

no Starter StartProfiler.php

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5
 * MySQL: 4

In this release package there is no Starter StartProfiler.php, I had to download it from SVN. —24.180.104.11 18:49, 1 July 2008 (UTC)

Upload of doc, xls, ppt files fails (not a general upload issue)
When using these kind of files the uploadcorrupt message appears. Here is the german message: ''Die Datei ist beschädigt oder hat eine falsche Datei-Erweiterung. Bitte überprüfe die Datei und wiederhole den Hochlade-Vorgang.'' (The file is corrupt or has an incorrect extension. Please check the file and upload again.)
 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.1.6 (Modul mime magic is enabled)
 * MySQL: 5.0.22
 * URL: Intranet

I got no clue what it is about. The files are allowed (strict is set to false), the size is ok and the files are not corrupt.

In generall uploads do work. I enabled debug, that is what it found, look at mime: ))WebRequest::getFileName 'TELEFON.XLS' normalized to 'TELEFON.XLS' User::isBlocked: enter User::getBlockedStatus: checking... IP: 170.160.207.31 Block::load: '', '1', 1 User::getBlockedStatus: No block. File::getPropsFromPath: Getting file info for /tmp/phpVs9EdM MimeMagic::__construct: loading mime types from /htdocs/wiki/ps/mediawiki/1.12.0/includes/mime.types MimeMagic::__construct: loading mime info from /htdocs/wiki/ps/mediawiki/1.12.0/includes/mime.info MimeMagic::guessMimeType: internal type detection failed for /tmp/phpVs9EdM (.XLS)... MimeMagic::detectMimeType: magic mime type of /tmp/phpVs9EdM: text/plain MimeMagic::guessMimeType: final mime type of /tmp/phpVs9EdM: text/plain MediaHandler::getHandler: no handler found for text/plain. File::getPropsFromPath: /tmp/phpVs9EdM loaded, 47616 bytes, text/plain. MacBinary::loadHeader: header bytes 0 and 74 not null MimeMagic::guessMimeType: internal type detection failed for /tmp/phpVs9EdM (.)... MimeMagic::detectMimeType: magic mime type of /tmp/phpVs9EdM: text/plain MimeMagic::guessMimeType: final mime type of /tmp/phpVs9EdM: text/plain

mime:  extension: 

UploadForm::verifyExtension: mime type text/plain mismatches file extension XLS, rejecting file

I got the same mediawiki version (+php 5.2.3-1ubuntu6.3) on another system installed where it works. The same file there shows MIME-Typ: application/vnd.ms-excel.

So what is MimeMagic doing here or what uses it to get the MIME, could there something wrong on my system?

Any help would be appreciated.

—Cabowabo 03:56, 3 July 2008 (UTC)


 * I encouter the same problem on the same platform, but with PowerPoint files (PPT).
 * Thank you for any idea...
 * --BurninLeo 08:52, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Upload and loading problem

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.2.5
 * MySQL: 5.0.51a
 * URL: Intranet

1. I can't load images to sait. I have enable uploads_enable = On in php.ini, I'm trying to change open_basedir & upload_tmp_dir to different values ( /tmp, /tmp/ .... ), chmod on 777. On LocalSettings.php & DefaultSettings.php $wgEnableUploads = true;

on /var/www/apache2/error.log [error] [client 192.168.0.1] PHP Warning: File upload error - unable to create a temporary file in Unknown on line 0

2. I'm trying manualy to copy image files to /wiki/images/ and load it on my site by - it's not work. So wiki can't see images directory? (in httpd.conf images aliases is commented)

—193.93.12.74 11:41, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

uploading large files

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * PHP: 5.1.2 (apache2filter)
 * MySQL: 5.0.19-standard
 * URL: password-protected

I am having a problem uploading large files using Mediawiki version 1.12.0. If I upload small PDF or PPT file, I have no problem; but if I try to upload a large file, I get the error "The connection was reset The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading. -The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments. If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network connection. If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web."

I have googled this problem extensively and can't figure out the solution. Incidentally, if I put the file on a local server and upload using the URL, the problem does not occur. I have already made a set of changes in LocalSettings.php and in /etc/php.ini to increase the maximum upload size; that fixed the problem for URL uploads, but not yet for uploads from a client's hard drive.

—128.36.102.191 19:25, 8 July 2008 (UTC)

During the upload, I get the message "Could not rename file "$1" to "$2"", but my rights are OK! (at least I think so...)

 * MediaWiki: 1.12
 * PHP: 5.2.6
 * MySQL: 5.1.24
 * URL: http://wikimir.ru

Hi, all! I have a problem. Please, help me!

First of all I notice that I've read almost all about uploading and concurrent problems. But I haven't found solution of my problem. I even met similar problems like my one but there are no any intelligible solutions.

There is a fragment of my LocalSetting.php: $wgSitename              = "Wikimir"; $wgLocalInterwiki        = $wgSitename; $wgAllowExternalImages   = true; $wgEnableUploads         = true; $wgHashedUploadDirectory = true; //$wgUploadDirectory       = "$IP/images"; //$wgUploadPath            = "$wgScriptPath/images"; //$wgVerifyMimeType        = false;

So, when I try to upload an image such message occurs: Could not rename file "/var/tmp/php5wljeN" в "public/7/76/Pic_03.jpg". My folder "images" has free access for all (0777). Folder images/public doesn't exist, but I tried to create it and set to 0777. Without result. I even wrote small script to upload files into folder images and created subdirectories inside it. All is ok. Apache is able to write and create directories inside this folder.

By the way, when I use $wgHashedUploadDirectory = false I have no any problems with uploading...

So, I have no any ideas in which direction I should advance. Maybe someone give me a hint? Thanks a lot!

—217.9.147.66 11:48, 29 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Hi! Try to create a folger /public directly in the wiki-directory (sibling to /images). Usually the mediawiki places images in /images/1/2/imagename.png and I do not know why your images should be placed in /public/1/2/..., but creating that public folder with write-access should do the trick.
 * --BurninLeo 14:10, 5 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Hello, got the same problem here. I've posted it once in http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Project:Support_desk/Sections/Uploading#Image_Uploading_Error_.28Again.3F.29. So, the question remains is how do you deal with the unwilling to write apache? Need help desperately. --125.163.14.225 21:22, 20 August 2008 (UTC)

New images are being added with MIME type: text/plain
When I first installed MediaWiki .png files uploaded with MIME type: image/png. Now they are uploading as type: text/plain.

This is version 1.5.1 of MediaWiki, downloaded from [SourceForge] on Oct 27, 2005.


 * Upgrade MediaWiki. —Emufarmers(T 05:22, 1 August 2008 (UTC)

That's a nice thought, but shouldn't be necessary. Something apparently changed in config and I should be able to change it back without having to install or reinstall.


 * Perhaps, but you won't get any support unless you upgrade. —Emufarmers(T 19:50, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Uploading Refresh Question

 * MediaWiki: (Reported by your Wiki's Special:Version page)
 * PHP:
 * MySQL:
 * URL:

I was wondering if when I upload something using POST, if the user refreshes the page, will my script be executed again on the same file?

—128.227.146.80 15:53, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Image Uploading Error (Again?)

 * MediaWiki: 1.12.0
 * Linux
 * Apache 2.2.9 (Unix)
 * PHP: 5.2.5
 * MySQL: 5.0.45
 * URL: Internal only

For the past week, I've been looking all over the net but none of the answers are satisfying. Some of them are found here. I even do the count my self and found that more than 3 titles on this page are asking about the very same problem but unfortunately none of their solution is working for me. I'm talking about this internal error: Internal Error Could not rename file "/tmp/phpQp3ukG" to "public/d/d3/Peacock_fight.jpg".

Can someone please help me? Thank you. --125.163.29.195 19:02, 14 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Apache needs to be able to write the images directory; see bug 13812. —Emufarmers(T 22:55, 15 August 2008 (UTC)


 * I did. 5 days ago. But nothing happens. Is there anything I should provide for the diagnosis? Thank you. -- 125.163.0.119 04:12, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

Is it possible to upload edittools and licencing option in the Upload file function?
Dear Sirs,

People for Earth is about to release the beta version of an ECO community & WIKI ECO GUIDE called My ECO Guide that is mediawiki based.

Our programmers have integrated most of the mediawiki open source code into People for Earth system, however, there are some remaining open issues – mostly about some features that are part of mediawiki.org, but our programmers say they are not available for our application. However, we find them crucial for success of our wiki, since the rest of programming is first class. We would really appreciate your comments on the following issues in order to proceed with our project.

Our programmers said: We are using the open-source provided by the mediawiki 1.12. So we can have only those editing tools that are provided in that source code. In the mediawiki source code they have not given these tools: see link
 * 1) 1.	Can we integrate your edditools that can be found on any of your edit pages (e.g. into our wiki system?

Our programmers SAID : We cannot add the “Licensing” over here. It is not given in the mediawiki code. We cannot add it over it. We can just show if you want but it will not be stored nor it will be shown afterwards. So it doesn’t make any sense. They might have changed this after releasing the Mediawiki 1.12. We can have the features that are provided in the mediawiki open-source 1.12.
 * 1) 2.	Licencing feature in the UPLOAD FILE toolbox in the left navigation

Can these two functions be implemented into our wiki system based on mediawiki?

Thank you very much for your help,

Klemen Podjed,People for Earth

—KlemenP 19:44, 17 August 2008 (UTC)

Redirecting to the main page after uploading a file

 * MediaWiki: (Reported by your Wiki's Special:Version page)
 * PHP: 5.x
 * MySQL: 5.x
 * URL:

Hi,

This is Fenzik, India. I integrated mediawiki 1.10.x along with my portal with minimal changes. Now we found an issue on uploading file and I'm not able to figure out. After uploaded the file, the page gets redirected to the main page. It will be great if you give the solution.

Thanks Fenzik —Fenzik 08:02, 19 August 2008 (UTC)

Umlaute nach Dateiimport zerstört [German question]
Hallo, ich habe folgendes Problem: Ich habe ein MediaWiki mit folgender Konfiguration am laufen:
 * 1) Windows XP als Host
 * 2) MySQL 5.0.51b - Latin1
 * 3) PHP 5.2.2
 * 4) MediaWiki 1.14Alpha - UTF-8 Backwards Compatible

Wenn ich nun versuche eine Datei zu Importieren, die ein Sonderzeichen enthält, oder ein Umlaut, dann Imortiert der das innerhalb der Datenbank vollkommen richtig. Auch innerhalb von MediaWiki wird alles richtig angezeigt. Allerdings speichert der die Datei nicht als Käse.jpg sondern K%C3%A4se.jpg. Dementsprechend kann MediaWiki die Datei nicht finden wenn sie angezeigt werden soll. Selbst das Thumbnail Verzeichnis zeigt der als K%C3%A4se.jpg an.

Ich hoffe mir kann jemand von euch Helfen.

--Ryg 07:29, 18 August 2008 (UTC)