Dreamweaver MX 2004 - "An Unidentifed Error has occorred." - Please help!!

Question

Hi folks. I have scoured the internet for a fix to this problem. Most of the posts I read are unanswered or the solution does not work. I am hoping a guru reads mine and has the magic answer - I am ready to chuck the project altogether if I can't find a solution. Although I am not a newbie to simple page design, I have never really tackled data access (dynamic content) before, like I am about to. I am ready and willing to learn but this obstacle may hinder my interest if it is going to be this big a pain in the keester.
Let's start with my system config:
Windows XP Pro w/ SP3
Dreamweaver MX 2004
IIS 5.1 - configured with FTP support
PHP 5.2.11
MySQL 5.0 - For now I am using the Test DB that comes with MySQL. Using "root" account.
I have verified that all is running properly to the best of my knowledge. Certainly Dreamweaver up until this issue has worked for years. I have not used DW for data access before on this machine but have successfully on others.
IIS > Loads web content from http://localhost just fine. Including PHP test page. And IIS help stuff that comes pre-installed.
MySQL > I can build DB's and Schemas just fine. I can even import data from external sources so I have to assume it's running fine.
Dreamweaver > The site I am building has the following config:
Local Info
Site Name: medimj
Local Root: C:\medimj *set to refresh
Images: C:\medimj\images
HTTP: blank
Remote Info
Access: Local/Network
Remote Folder: C:\inetpub\wwwroot\medimj\       *set to refresh auto
Testing Server
Server Model: PHP MySQL
This site contains: Dreamweaver MX Pages Only (default)
Access: Local/Network
Testing Server Folder: C:\indetpub\wwwroot\medimj\          *set to refresh auto
URL Prefix: http://localhost/medimj
<<<Everything else I believe is irrelevant to the topic and left to defaults>>>
SO HERE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING:
When I go to make a data connection (Step 4 under the Database tab of Applications section in DW), I click the "+" button and select "MySQL Connection". The dialogue window appears and I input:
Connection Name: medimj
MySql Server: localhost
User Name: root
Password: <password>
I click "Select" button and get an error window that says "An Unidentified error has occurred." and I am taken back to the MySQL Connection dialogue box. I have tried adding http:, slashes, \medimj, IP address, and pipe name to the Server name to make the connection and none of it works. If I put a DB name and click "ok" the binding will appear but no table ever come into view. If I click on "Test" I get the same error.
Here is the mysql area of the test.php. From what I see, I should be able to make a connection; but I'm not expert. Should I be seeing more information?:
mysql
MySQL Support
enabled
Active Persistent Links
0
Active Links
0
Client API version
5.0.51a
Directive
Local Value
Master Value
mysql.allow_persistent
On
On
mysql.connect_timeout
60
60
mysql.default_host
localhost
localhost
mysql.default_password
no value
no value
mysql.default_port
3306
3306
mysql.default_socket
no value
no value
mysql.default_user
no value
no value
mysql.max_links
Unlimited
Unlimited
mysql.max_persistent
Unlimited
Unlimited
mysql.trace_mode
Off
Off
I just don't see what's wrong at this point. I really hope somebody here can help.
I've been at this for 4 days and uninstalled and reinstalled everything to no avail. I hope I have given enough information for someone to make a suggestion that will help. I thank anyone for their time in advance.
prdreamweaver

Answer 1

I would like to share with everyone a fix for this problem. I wish I could say I found it here but I did not. After continuing to search the Internet, while eagerly awaiting an answer here, I stumbled upon the answer deep in a thread in the MySQL website forums.
If someone should find this topic before the supposed Adobe fix, please do not waste your time with what Adobe suggests. It has been know cause more problems than help - as was the case with me. Applying their "fix" forced me to reinstall MySQL and a fresh version of PHP. I am also providing OS information and versions of all components I am using as well as settings within Dreamweaver. I cannot speak as to whether this fix transitions across other versions of Dreamweaver but it's worth looking at if yours does not match mine.
NOTE: ALWAYS MAKE A RECORD OF WHAT YOU CHANGE. THIS IS BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING AND WILL MINIMIZE THE NEED TO REINSTALL IF THINGS GET WORSE. BEING ABLE TO REVERSE WHAT YOU'VE CHANGED IS IMPORTANT.
System Info
OS: Windows XP Pro w/ SP3 (patched to the hilt)
IIS: 5.1 (installed from XP Pro CD - additional windows components)
PHP: v5.2.11 (installer version)
MySQL: v5.0.87 (installer version)
Dreamweaver: MX 2004
Install IIS, PHP, and MySQL per their individual instructions.
IIS Tweaks
Note: This tweak assumes you haven't already created your website virtual directory under IIS. If you have, you can delete it and follow these steps. You don't have to but I like this recommendation I found on another site as it tricks DW into thinking its attaching to an "outside" server. You'll see what I mean when you see the DW confg options later in this topic.
1. Create a folder under c:\inetpub\wwwroot that matches the local folder in DW for the site you are designing. Make sure they are spelled the same. If you have pages and images already in your local folder for DW, you don't have to re-create them here. You can sync them to the "server" much like you would when you FTP your pages up to a live server. Just make sure the root folders are named the same.
2. Right click your localhost site select "properties". Click the "Home Directory" tab. Click on the "Configuration" button. Under "Application Mappings", click the "Add" button. A new dialogue box appears > In the "Executable" area, browse to the root PHP folder and select file "php5isapi.dll" and click ok to return to the dialogue box. In the "Extension" box type ".php" without the quotes. Make sure "Script Engine" and "Check that file exists" are checked. Click ok.
NOTE: A DIALOGUE BOX MAY APPEAR ASKING IF YOU WANT TO PROPOGATE THE CHANGES ACROSS ALL OTHER SITES. YOU CAN SAY YES BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. (IT'S AN IIS THING) TO SEE IF IT DID, CHECK THE PROPERTIES OF YOUR VIRTUAL DIRECTORY AND FOLLOW STEP TWO IF YOU DON'T SEE THE PHP MAPPING THERE.
PHP Tweaks
1. extension_dir = c:\php\ext ~ change folder to match your install
2. cgi.force_redirect = 0 ~ required for IIS
3. register_globals = On
4. register_long_arrays = On
5. extension=php_mysql.dll ~ removed the ;
6. extension=php_mysqli.dll ~ removed the ;
7. include_path = "."
8. mysql.default_host = localhost
9. mysql.default_port = 3306
**NOTE: IF I DIDN'T PUT QUOTES - NEITHER SHOULD YOU.
10. Save and Close
copy the file libmysql.dll
to c:\windows & c:\windows\system32 ~ this file is in the root of PHP 5 folder
XP Environment Variables: Add the following at the end of Paths> c:\<php folder>;c:\<php folder>\ext ~ change php folder for your install
NOTE: ANY CHANGES TO ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SYSTEM PROBLEMS IF NOT DONE CORRECTLY. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A ";" AT THE END OF THE PATH BEFORE YOU ADD THE CHANGES.
REBOOT!!!! THESE CHANGES WILL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL YOU DO SO.
DW - edit current site or create it new
Local Info:
Should be left however you have it now OR if creating new, just do it like you always have.
Remote Info:
Access : Local/Network
Remote Folder: C:\inetpub\wwwroot\<your virtual directory>
* Check Refresh Automatically
Testing Server:
Server Model: PHP MySQL
Access: Local/ Network
Testing Server Folder: C:\inetpub\wwwroot\<your virtual directory>
URL Prefix: http://localhost/<your site name>
* Check Refresh Automatically
** I don't make changes to anything else under site editing so I stop there. Click OK and you're done.
At this point, you should see under the "Application" section on the "Database" tab, steps 1,2,3 checked. Now create a connection by clicking the "+" button. Enter the following:
Connection Name: <whatever you want>
MySQL Server: localhost
User Name: root (or another account you have created with sufficient privileges)
Password:
Database: enter a DB name you wish to connect to or click select if you wish to browse for it.
You shouldn't get the "Unidentified Error..." message anymore. I know I don't.
I hope this helps the next poor sap this happens to. I'm sorry for the long post but I hate, hate, hate, when people post half assed instructions because they are too lazy to type.
Good luck everyone and happy designing!!!
prdreamweaver
email: [email protected]
(you can email me with questions but remember, I am not an expert with dynamic content. however, I am willing to assist if I can)