Block Installation -- Need help

Block Installation -- Need help

by Tracy Varner -
Number of replies: 11
I am brand new to Moodle and I'm having trouble installing blocks to my site. Is there a general set of steps that I should follow when installing blocks? Here is what I have tried:

  1. dowload block from Moodle site
  2. open FTP
  3. navigate to public_html/moodle/blocks
  4. move the chosen block to the public_html/moodle/blocks
  5. unzip the block
  6. open my Moodle site
Obviously I am missing something important somewhere. Can you help?
Average of ratings: -
In reply to Tracy Varner

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by A. T. Wyatt -
Greetings, Tracy!

In general, this is how I do it:
  1. dowload block from Moodle site
  2. unzip the block
  3. open FTP
  4. navigate to public_html/moodle/blocks
  5. upload the block files to the public_html/moodle/blocks
  6. upload the language files to the moodle/lang/proper folder
  7. upload the help files to the moodle/lang/proper folder/help
  8. login to your moodle site as admin
  9. click on "notifications" to trigger any database tables that need to be generated.
I am thinking that you did not mention the language files or triggering the tables.

Maybe someone else will come along and add to this!

atw
In reply to A. T. Wyatt

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by Tracy Varner -
A.T.--

Thanks so much for your prompt reply. We followed your directions but the new block still doesn't show up in the add blocks block. Maybe we are not understanding how to do the language files/help files thing???

Tracy
In reply to Tracy Varner

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by A. T. Wyatt -
Well, the language files don't keep your block from working properly. They just prevent you from seeing [word] all over the place!

Some blocks require additional files to be installed in the mod directory. Most of them have good instructions in the help files. Perhaps it would help if you told us what block you are trying to install?

atw

In reply to A. T. Wyatt

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by Denise Bunnell -

A.T. -

I work with Tracy and I too am brand new to Moodle.  We are trying to install the birthday block.

Thanks for your replies and assistance with this.  We do appreciate your help.

Denise

In reply to A. T. Wyatt

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by Tracy Varner -
Good point! Sorry why I didn't think of it...

We are trying to install the birthday block into version 1.8

Any further suggestions would be very welcome.

Thanks--Tracy
In reply to Tracy Varner

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by A. T. Wyatt -
There was quite a lot of discussion about this block a few months ago. Perhaps you could search for "birthday block" in the forums and get some clues! I have not personally installed this block, so I will defer to someone else with more knowledge.

atw
In reply to Tracy Varner

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by Anthony Borrow -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Plugin developers Picture of Testers
Tracy - What problems are you having? I'd be happy to help you get the birthday block working. Peace - Anthony
In reply to Anthony Borrow

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by Tracy Varner -
Thanks so much, Anthony! I am trying to install the birthday block on Moodle 1.8 and I'm telling you now--I am brand new at this so it is probably operator error...

Here is what has been attempted:

  1. downloaded the block from Moodle Web site
  2. unzipped the package
  3. used FTP to install birthday block folder to public_html/moodle/blocks
  4. accessed my moodle installation and clicked on Notifications in the Admin box to initiate installation
  5. a blank page appears where the installation data should appear
  6. when searching through Add Blocks, Birthday Blocks does not appear on the list
Any thoughts?

Thanks!--Tracy
In reply to Tracy Varner

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by Anthony Borrow -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Plugin developers Picture of Testers
Tracy - Blank page is usually an indication of some type of PHP error. It helps if you go under administration and turn on debugging to see if we can see what the error is. It sounds like you have done well in terms of steps 1-4 you mentioned above so getting a sense of what the error is will be helpful. Peace - Anthony
In reply to Anthony Borrow

Re: Block Installation -- Need help

by Tracy Varner -
Thanks so much. I didn't know about the debugging thing. I'll try it to see what's up and respond if I need assistance.

Take care,
Tracy