Thread

Can I remove (uninstall) the Comments module?

There’s a link to do so in the Modules overview, which makes me think it’s possible. But if I do so, anything in the Control Panel that lists or sorts entries (like the Edit area) shuts down with a database error.

Hi rmedek,

Indeed, you should be able to uninstall the Comments module without a problem.

Do you have any entries that are marked to allow for comments? Have you ever made use of the comments module?

What version of ExpressionEngine are you using? What is the error that you are seeing?

Thanks!

Do you have any entries that are marked to allow for comments?

No…previously there were entries which allowed them, but only because the channel preferences were set to allow comments. I’ve since updated all channel preferences by selecting “no” under “Allow comments in this channel” and selecting “update all existing entries with this setting.”

Have you ever made use of the comments module?

In this website, no, other than the above.

What version of ExpressionEngine are you using?

2.4.0

What is the error that you are seeing?

When the Comments module is uninstalled, I see this message whenever I go to the Edit section:

A Database Error Occurred
Error Number: 1146

Table ‘thinky_ee2.exp_comments’ doesn’t exist

SELECT … (error changes here depending on which section I was trying to access)

Filename: controllers/cp/content_edit.php

Line Number: 332

If I reinstall the module, the Edit section is restored, but then each channel has a “Date” tab restored where there previously wasn’t one, trying to display the comment expiration date, with these errors inserted:

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 145
” id=“hold_field_
A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 145
” style=“width: 100%; “> 
A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 151
A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 152
A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 157
” class=“js_hide”>
A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 159

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 166
A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined index: comment_expiration_date
Filename: content/publish.php
Line Number: 171

If I reinstall the module, then toggle ALL channels to allow comments, then toggle them ALL back to disallow comments, the second errors go away. Uninstalling the Comments module then still gives the same error when trying to edit anything:

A Database Error Occurred
Error Number: 1146

Table ‘thinky_ee2.exp_comments’ doesn’t exist

SELECT `entry_id`, COUNT(*) as count FROM (`exp_comments`) WHERE `entry_id` IN …

Filename: controllers/cp/content_edit.php

Line Number: 332

Okay, fixed by adding the check for comment module conditional around line 325.

Changed from this:

$show_link = TRUE;
$comment_counts = array();

if (count($entry_ids))
{
 $comment_qry = $this->db->select('entry_id, COUNT(*) as count')
  ->where_in('entry_id', $entry_ids)
  ->group_by('entry_id')
  ->get('comments');
 
 foreach ($comment_qry->result() as $row)
 {
  $comment_counts[$row->entry_id] = $row->count;
 }
}

…to this:

if ( isset($this->installed_modules['comment']) )
{
 $show_link = TRUE;
 $comment_counts = array();
 
 if (count($entry_ids))
 {
  $comment_qry = $this->db->select('entry_id, COUNT(*) as count')
   ->where_in('entry_id', $entry_ids)
   ->group_by('entry_id')
   ->get('comments');
  
  foreach ($comment_qry->result() as $row)
  {
   $comment_counts[$row->entry_id] = $row->count;
  }
 }
}

So far no problems. Who do I send the invoice to?

Hello,

Thank you for using the ExpressionEngine forums!

This is a [url=https://support.ellislab.com/bugs/detail/17380]known bug[/ur]. Well, it’s know now.

Please feel free to comment on the bug to stay up to date on it’s progress. There is also a temporary fix listed. Similar to what you did! Nice detective work.

Cheers,