Site Preview?

[timv88]

Hi,

I have recently purchased a new Semi-Dedicated hosting package but I have not been able to figure out how I can preview my site.

I have attempted to upload different index.html/index.php files in the public_html folder, and used 'Fantastico de luxe' to install Joomla 1.6, hoping that this would allow me to somehow preview the site before propagating the DNS.

My question is, why am I still seeing the default "Welcome to the SiteGround Default Server page" even though I have uploaded a new site in the public_html folder? I am attempting to preview the site via the IP, because I need to ensure the site functions as expected before we propagate the DNS.

Any help will be appreciated.

[Anatoli]

The best way to preview your site and make sure everything works properly is using a hosts file:

http://kb.siteground.com/article/How_to_use_the_hosts_file.html

In any other case there might be a problem if your site depends on the domain name to work properly and I would not recommend it.

[timv88]

Thanks for you reply, Anatoli.

Unfortunately I continue to see the default page using the hosts file method. I updated the a-record on another domain and I know it's working because it now points to the default page. Is there any other way to preview the site?

What I don't understand is why I'm still seeing the default page after uploading my own index file.. Can you confirm that this is normal?

[Anatoli]

In this case please try two things:

1. Rename the file default.htm to OLDdefault.htm in your public_html directory. Then make sure that your index file is called index.php or index.html.

2. Clear your browser's cache.

Please let us know if the problem persists.

[timv88]

Hi Anatoli,

yes, I have read in the FAQ that it is default.htm that displays this page, however I have never seen this page in my public_html folder. I must have cleared the public_html folder before I uploaded my own index.html as soon as I got my account.

I did a search via the cpanel webftp and it confirmed that default.htm or default.html does not exist.

I have cleared my browser's cache multiple times over the last 3 days with no result.

Where do I go from here? Thanks for your time.

[timv88]

Okay it's been resolved. Instead of editing my local hosts file on my PC, I was trying to edit the hosts file on my web server (in the /etc/ folder).

Thanks for your help!