Fantastico® FAQ
How to use the Fantastico script installer in your Pro account.
- What is Fantastico?
- What is required to use Fantastico?
- Why should I use Fantastico instead of installing a script manually?
- How do I install a script with Fantastico?
- What about script updates?
- How do I uninstall a script which Fantastico installed?
- Where can I get script support?
- What if the script I want to install isn't listed?
- The question I have isn't answered here.
- What is Fantastico?
Fantastico® is a terrific script auto-installer, for use on CPanel servers. It installs open-source programs like message boards, photo albums, blog scripts, content management systems, help desk, and others -- all with the click of a button or two!
- What is required to use Fantastico?
Your cPanel account already contains all the tools necessary to run Fantastico's scripts. Just log into your cPanel and click the Fantastico link (the blue smiley face seen on this page) to get started!
- Why should I use Fantastico instead of installing a script manually?
If you can, use scripts from the Fantastico library instead of manually installing your own version. Much of the time these scripts will be more up to date, and Crosswinds keeps an active eye on them. This is particularly important for security updates.
- How do I install a script with Fantastico?
Log into your CPanel, and look for the Fantastico icon .
Click that icon once to bring up a list of the scripts which are available to install. To install a script, click its associated link and follow the instructions for that script.
- What about script updates?
Fantastico gets updated all the time with the latest script versions. Script updates are often released for security reasons, so if you have a script installed with Fantastico, you should definitely check back in your cPanel to see if an updated version is currently available. Fantastico can update your script with the changed files, keeping your site protected and secure.
IMPORTANT: Fantastico can only update a script which it installed to begin with. Fantastico tracks what it has installed and where, and it will only "see" the files it installed. If you need to update a script which you installed or modified manually, then you will need to update it manually also.
- How do I uninstall a script which Fantastico installed?
If you decide you no longer want a script which Fantastico installed, you should also use Fantastico to remove it. Go back to the link for the script inside Fantastico, and follow the instructions for uninstalling that particular script.
IMPORTANT: Do not uninstall a script simply by manually removing all its files. Fantastico tracks what it has installed and where, and it will still think the script is installed even if the files are gone. This can prevent you from being able to reinstall the same script or from installing a new script in that location later. Always use Fantastico to uninstall a script which was installed with Fantastico originally.
- Where can I get script support?
To learn more about or to troubleshoot a particular installed script, go to that script's homepage (linked in Fantastico). Most of the script homepages have support forums or FAQ pages of their own.
- What if the script I want to install isn't listed?
We offer all of the scripts which the current version of Fantastico supports. Fantastico adds new scripts all the time, however, so check your cPanel often for new additions.
To see which new scripts have been requested or are under consideration, look at the Fantastico support forums.
Note that Fantastico only supports open-source (free for the public/GPL licensed) scripts, so if you're looking for a commercial script, you will need to purchase and install it yourself. If you're unsure if a commercial script is safe or approved for use on Crosswinds' servers, write to cwpro@crosswinds.net with a link to the script or a description, and ask.
- The question I have isn't answered here.
If you need additonal help using the Fantastico installer, first search the online Fantastico forums. If you can't find a solution there, use our contact form or post in the Crosswinds Member Help Forums to ask one of us a question about Fantastico. Be sure to include all relevant information in your request: account username, URL where your script is installed, the exact problem you are having, error messages, etc. Don't forget to include an email address where you can receive a reply.
If we receive a lot of the same help request, we'll add it to this page, so keep checking back here for updates, too.
