Can only create empty projects

We have recently encountered a problem when creating new LOs. Object creates but there is nothing in the project - basically no ability to add pages so no ability to add content - see the attached image.
I am still able to change the properties and make it public, so here is a link to the example xerte.lscollege.ac.uk/play.php?template_id=627
but obviously it is empty. Our IT team cannot see what is wrong with our Xerte install and say that noting else changed on the server. Has anyone else encountered a problem like this?
Many thanks in advance.

Hi,

We've seen this before and it is normally caused by permissions on the USER_FILES folder. It and all subfolders should be made writable (may need to change permissions to something else and then back to writable to get it to propagate).

Not sure why it happens but can be after a copy or just the OS doing it randomly.

The properties etc are stored in the database which is why they are still changeable.

John

Hi Beverley
a couple of questions...

1. You say that nothing else changed on the server but I can see that your installation is version 3.5 which was only released in July so has it worked for the creation of new projects since that upgrade to 3.5?

2. Also is the problem the same for everyone or is it only one or two users who can't create new projects?

As John says this is usually due to incorrect permissions but that usually only happens when someone has made a change at server level. But if you can answer 1. & 2. we might be able to advise further.

HTH
Ron

Beverley answered directly to the mail:

Hi

1. I understand that Xerte was updated to the latest version in the last couple of weeks by our IT team in an attempt to rectify the problem.

2.Yes it seems to affect all users.

Regards
Bev

Hi Bev
1. so your response to this suggests that the problem existed prior to upgrade as well as post upgrade? Something must have changed on the server to cause this. Get the IT team to check that the values in the sitedetails table are correct and more likely that the permissions on the relevant directories are correct. This is unlikely to be a bug in Xerte code. Between us we use and have upgraded many installations and all work fine.

2. the fact that this affects all users rules out the alternative cause with case sensitive usernames that can result in a similar outcome for individual users.

Whoever looks after your installation should be able to investigate and rectify the issue with the responses we have given here.

HTH
Ron

Yes the problem existed prior to the upgrade. The IT team upgraded hoping that it would resolve the problem.

Thanks for the advice.
Bev