Server Error: Invalid Character in Web Name

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skypilotpete

Posts: 3
Member since: 6/18/2008

Server Error: Invalid Character in W...

I am having a bizarre problem opening a web in Frontpage 2000. I am trying to help a friend who runs a simple website for a community group. I have created an empty web using Frontpage 2000. Then, using an FTP program I have downloaded all the web files and folders from the server into the relevant folders on my hard drive. The folders and files are now identical on my hard drive and on the server. However, when I try to use the command "open web" I get the message: "Server Error: Invalid character in web name". This is very strange because there are no invalid characters. I have tested this out by changing the problem web's name and location to one which I have been using with Frontpage without any problems. Frontpage can open the individual files within the web, but will not open it as an entire web. Can anyone suggest what might be going wrong?

P.S. - the web which I have downloaded was not created within Frontpage, but I would not have thought that would create this sort of problem.

I am using Frontpage 2000, Windows XP Home SP2.

Report Abuse | Date: 6/18/2008 9:31:10 PM

Malcolm

Posts: 415
Member since: 9/30/2002
From: Texas,USA

RE: Server Error: Invalid Character ... (in reply to skypilotpete)

I am not sure. But if I was wanting a copy of a site, I would use the Import Web Wizard (if FP2000 has that, I cant remember) .. create new web using the Import web wizard ... if not I would create an empty web, then with empty web open in FP file/import .. from web and would import the website. FrontPage needs to create certaing files when creating a website and perhaps those have been missed out if you created the site wrongly and so FP is not reading it correctly. I am only guessing, but it worth a try using either of the above two methods to start again.

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~~ Malc ~~

Report Abuse | Date: 6/19/2008 7:23:35 AM

TexasWebDevelopers

Posts: 7016
Member since: 9/24/2002
From: USA

RE: Server Error: Invalid Character ... (in reply to skypilotpete)

I disagree with Malcolm. I would create a blank FrontPage web on my hard drive and then open the website "live" on the server (Start FrontPage, ask it to open a web site, give it the long url, give the username/password when prompted...now you are live on the server and it is considered the local web--your hard drive will now be considered the remote web). Once on the host server tell FP to publish the site (yes all of it, it will ask) to your hard drive (now the remote location).

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Report Abuse | Date: 6/19/2008 9:26:43 AM

skypilotpete

Posts: 3
Member since: 6/18/2008

RE: Server Error: Invalid Character ... (in reply to skypilotpete)

Thankyou for your replies. I am trying to follow TexasWebDevelopers suggestions. However, I need more help as I am a genuine clueless newbie.

When you say to ask Frontpage to "open a website" I presume you mean the command "Open Web", as this is the only open command I can find which relates to webs at all.

When I select "Open Web", the next issue is what address to put in. You say "give it the long url", but I'm not sure what you mean by this.

The information received from the ISP when we set up our account says:

To Upload Using Microsoft Frontpage:
HOST NAME : www.domain_name.com
PUBLISH DESTINATION : ftp://www.domain_name.com/html

When I put in http://www.domain_name.com (the actual name of course) Frontpage simply opens it the same as any browser would, and does not ask for user name and password.

When I put in ftp://www.domain_name.com/html, I am asked for username and password, but when I try to open the web I get the message "The server extensions do not support this action on FTP servers".

I have also tried: http://www.domain_name.com/html, but get the message "The server could not complete your request. Contact your Internet Service Provider or web server administrator to make sure that the server has frontpage server extensions installed."

I have contacted the ISP and they say our site is on a Linux server, and while Frontpage Server Extensions were supported when we signed up for the account, they no longer are. They say this is because Microsoft no longer supports Frontpage and so does not provide the updates necessary for them to maintain the extensions on their server. If we want FP server extensions, we have to move to a windows server, which will cost us 3 times the price we are currently paying.

So, can you tell me whether the lack of FP server extensions is the reason I can't follow your suggestions about opening the website remotely, or is something else going on?

Report Abuse | Date: 6/19/2008 7:43:52 PM

TexasWebDevelopers

Posts: 7016
Member since: 9/24/2002
From: USA

RE: Server Error: Invalid Character ... (in reply to skypilotpete)

You must have the server extensions installed--preferrably on a Microsoft server.
www.hostmysite.com is a great company if you are looking to change hosts.

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Report Abuse | Date: 6/21/2008 8:32:50 AM

Malcolm

Posts: 415
Member since: 9/30/2002
From: Texas,USA

RE: Server Error: Invalid Character ... (in reply to skypilotpete)

Publishing, as TexasWebDevelopers said IS the correct way. I just assumed as you had used FTP that the extensions were not available so made the suggestion of importing the web. Importing may not get all the files you need from the website, but it may be enough that you need just repair the site. It would also allow you to see if you could then open the site in FP. One of the problems with copying files over using FTP is you can also get over the htacess files etc etc which basically live on the server and you dont really want them inside your local copy of the web.

You could also ask your host if they can move your website over to a Windows server so you can then use the Publish method, which is the only guaratneed way of getting all the files.

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~~ Malc ~~

Report Abuse | Date: 6/22/2008 12:59:10 AM