Uploading SMF
You should now be at the stage where you can upload the SMF files to your server. Initiate an FTP connection to the server and create a directory on the server. You can name the directory anything you like but "smf" or "forum" is a good choice.
Now you want to upload the SMF files to the directory you just created, so navigate to that directory in your FTP program and open the folder where you unzipped the SMF package on your computer. Select all the files and folders and copy them and paste (or drag depending on client) them in your FTP program. The files should now be uploading, and depending on the speed of your internet connection, this may take some time. For more information on using an FTP program, view this document - How do I use FTP? / What is FTP?
After uploading the files, go to http://www.yourdomain.tfl/smf/install.php (or the directory name you choose). If the first page comes up with a dialog requesting FTP information this is because you are running on a Unix-like server. At this stage, just enter in your FTP details and the install program will attempt to set permissions on your server accordingly. If, however, you wish to do this manually or this initial step fails simply connect to your server with your FTP client and change the permissions on the following files and directories to 777*. On most client software, this is achieved by right clicking on the files you wish to change, and going to Properties, CHMOD, or Permissions, and then typing in the number.
The following files and folders should be CHMOD'ed to 777*:
- attachments
- avatars
- Packages
- Packages/installed.list
- Smileys
- Themes
- Themes/default/languages/Install.english.php
- agreement.txt
- Settings.php
- Settings_bak.php
- install.php
* If your host does not allow 777 permissions please try 755
Next: Installing SMF
.
for those using WSFTP and trying to figure out how to CHMOD 777, (lots of head scratching !),
here is a link that shows you how to do this ( everything is simple if you know how to do it!)
http://www.webmastertips.us/articles/tutorials/chmod.htm