The program, not unlike any database-driven php-based script requires regular maintenance in the way of
updating when
necessary, as well as your basic html. css, file structure and directory setting/permission knowledge which you probably already have. If not, you'll want to do a bit of reading on those subjects. Note however, no HTML or CSS knowledge is actually necessary to use Coppermine. It becomes necessary only when and if you want to
modify themes or
update your 1.3.3 theme to 1.4.27 compatibility.
A few tools you might require (and will want to get better acquainted with) are phpMyAdmin and a good FTP program, such as
FileZilla that runs on your Mac. Regarding phpMyAdmin, that comes bundled with your hosting package. You'll find it within the
Databases section of your cPanel.
Regarding Coppermine itself, it will run just fine on your host right out of the box with minimal input from you. Since you already have a version of Coppermine installed, copy locally (download a backup) of your
/include/config.inc.php file which contains all data to connect with your database (username, password, etc). This will allow you to reuse the current database for a new installation (if you so wish) by entering that data into the new installation form fields when prompted by Coppermine. If, however, you decide to update/upgrade, you'll want to leave that file right where it is and instead of "installing", you'll update. This information (and so much more) is in the documentation. Download the latest Coppermine package and use the docs that come with the recent download.
Lastly, regarding your error messages, I'm confident they will disappear once you have updated.
If you have lost your password (admin or otherwise), the best way to reset it is with phpMyAdmin.
Once you are in the phpMyAdmin you will see the databases on the left. Click on the db that belongs to Coppermine. On the left you will see the tables. Now Coppermine will tell you your password is stored in xxx_users. Here is where my problem began. I would have thought xxx would have been the version number. In my case it was not. It was pics_users. You must click on the icon to the left of the text or you won't get the right screen.
If you lost your admin password look under the column titled user_id. Look for the 1. That is admin. To the left of that column is a pencil icon (that means edit). Click on it. You now should have fields you can write in.
To the right of the row called user_pass is the encrypted password. Erase that and fill it with this:
21232f297a57a5a743894a0e4a801fc3
That will make the password admin. Do not under any circumstances leave the password field blank. Go to the bottom of the page and just above the light bulb it should say Save. If it does click the Go button. Exit phpMyAdmin by going to the exit icon at the upper left corner.
Type in the url of your Coppermine page. Login with your user name and the password admin. Go to users and find your adminstrator name. Click on the edit icon just to the right of your admin name. Go to the bottom of the page and click on the change my password button. Enter your current password which is admin. Type in your new password. Then retype it. Click the change my password button. If all went well you will see a message saying password successfully change.
Your next step is to download the most recent package of your choice (
1.4.27 or
1.5.6) and begin either updating or installing. If you decide to make a clean install of it, I'd opt for the 1.5.6 version. If you are updating, you might prefer the comfortableness of the 1.4.27 version. Your choice.
But read the
documentation. Everything you need to know to get started and either update or install is fully outlined for you in step-by-step fashion.
Good luck!
[Edited to add some helpful links]