Thread

Has anyone tried to produce a friendlier “database offline” error message?  (“Database Error: Unable to connect to your database. Your database appears to be turned off or…”)  We’re having some trouble with one host (db server or network problem; not EE).  We’ll be switching hosts if it isn’t resolved soon, but I’m wondering about short-term options for giving the user a friendlier maintenance-type page. 

I’m aware of the system-offline switch, and would prefer something that happens automatically.  e.g., check database connection—if unavailable, show friendly page—if available, carry on as normal.

Is anyone aware of add-ons that address this?  Or is it too far up the tree?  (Internal workarounds welcome, too.)

The problem is that even the “System Offline” message needs a working db (superadmins are generally shown the site, eg.) So, this “Database Offline” check needs to happen fairly early. About the only thing you can do, I am afraid, is change the wording of that message, and that would require hacking EE’s code.

But seriously, if that happens on a semi-regular basis I urge you to consider changing hosts.

No problem, I thought that might be the case.  I’m going to stay out of the core EE code, and work on the underlying (hosting) problem instead.  Thanks Ingmar!

I agree with Ingmar. Time for new hosting. Don’t hesitate to post again if needed.