System Requirements

Installation of Fully Modded phpBB requires the following:

  • A webserver or web hosting account running on any major Operating System
  • PHP (4.4.1 or higher or preferably a recent 5.x) with support for a MySQL database
    • gd library (1.0 or higher or preferably a recent 2.x)
    • FreeType library
    • Register Globals & Safe Mode off/disabled
  • A SQL database system:
    • MySQL (3.23.23 or higher)

If your server or hosting account does not meet the requirements above I am afraid Fully Modded phpBB is not for you.


  1. How do I install this board on Lycos/coolfreepages/other free host?
  2. The old addage "You get what you pay for" is particularly true for hosting services! However if you must use a free service (and recognise its limitations) you will find details on common pitfalls in the tutorials forum at http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/.

  3. How do I enable the GD and FreeType Libraries on my localhost?
  4. To enable gd support (2.x includes FreeType) open the php.ini file (in most instances located in your php/ or apache/bin/ directory), and look for the line below. Removing the semi-colon from the beginning of this line will enable the gd module:

    ;extension=php_gd2.dll

  5. How do I turn off Register Globals on my localhost?
  6. To switch off register_globals open the php.ini file (in most instances located in your php/ or apache/bin/ directory), and look for the line below. Changing to "Off" will switch off register_globals and make things more secure:

    register_globals = On

  7. How do I turn off Safe Mode on my localhost?
  8. To switch off safe_mode open the php.ini file (in most instances located in your php/ or apache/bin/ directory), and look for the line below. Changing to "Off" will switch off safe_mode:

    safe_mode = On

  9. Is this board compatible with PHP 5.x?
  10. It most certainly is! The Fully Modded development site is currently operating error-free on PHP 5.1.1.