Cron Job command - Is it correct

[quintain]

Hi,

I cannot get the Post Expirator plugin to work.
Cloudnext,net my hosting company tell me to use the following command:

/usr/bin/php5 /home/sites/website_name.co.uk/public_html/wp-content/plugins/post-expirator/post-expirator.php
(N.B. note the space following php5 hosting Co tell me this is correct)

When I test the command, I get the following:
Your script returned the following:
Status: 500 Internal Server Error
X-Powered-By: PHP/5.2.17
Content-type: text/html

Is the above command correct ??

I use WP 3.5.1
Atahualpa 3.7.11 theme
Tested also using WP theme Twenty Eleven

 

[cPanelMichael]

Hello

I do not see an issue with the command itself. The issue here is noted in the error message:

"Status: 500 Internal Server Error"

It's possible there is an issue with the PHP script. Do you receive the same error message when you access the script from your web browser?

Thank you.

 

[quintain]

Hello

I do not see an issue with the command itself. The issue here is noted in the error message:

"Status: 500 Internal Server Error"

It's possible there is an issue with the PHP script. Do you receive the same error message when you access the script from your web browser?

Thank you.

Thank you for your prompt interest.

I never heard of 'cron jobs' until trying this and similar plugins.

I do not understand your question "Do you receive the same error message when you access the script from your web browser?"

Further information which I omitted from the initial question is:
The plugin works on one hosting package (market hosting) but not on cloudnext.net
With this in mind I have to believe the plugin to be OK

The same latest versions of plugin dated 2013/03/10, theme and WP apply to both.

 

[cPanelMichael]

I do not understand your question "Do you receive the same error message when you access the script from your web browser?"

Try accessing the PHP script directly in your web browser to see if you get the same error message. EX:

http://yourwebsite.com/wp-content/plugins/post-expirator/post-expirator.php

Thank you.

 

[quintain]

BTW Can I show the correct url in the forum without compromising my security ??

I get the following when I put in the correct web address to the latest versions of:

Firefox
Blank screen

Google Chrome
The website encountered an error while retrieving /http://floodproblems.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/post-expirator/post-expirator.php. It may be down for maintenance or configured incorrectly.
Here are some suggestions:
Reload this web page later.
HTTP Error 500 (Internal Server Error): An unexpected condition was encountered while the server was attempting to fulfil the request.

IE
The website cannot display the page

 

[cPanelMichael]

I do not advise using your actual domain name in a post, as it's not necessary for troubleshooting this issue.

The error indicates the problem is not with the cron job, but with the script itself. You will need to consult with your web hosting provider and have them check to see why the script is receiving the "500 - Internal Server Error" message.

Thank you.

 

[quintain]

Thank you for both pieces of information.

I thought it would be the hosting co but their reply after 'testing' was "not our fault must be the plugin, talk to the author'
Plugin forum tells me 'not our script 'talk to the hosting co'.

I will persevere.

Thank you again for your assistance.

 

[storminternet]

Have you please asked to your hosting provider for apache error logs as it will get more idea if it is scripting problem or hosting issue.