I desperately need help for installation of fresh Chamilo on my VPS

[LionKingIsBack]

Hello, I am about to breakdown nervously.
I have spent 2 days trying to install Chamilo on my VPS using Docker image and Mysql DB.
Impossible to get the install validating the Mysql, actually, I succeeded and I get this error message:

---

Étape 7 – Exécution du processus d'installation
Veuillez patienter, cette opération peut prendre un certain temps...
100% Complete
Fatal error: Uncaught PDOException: SQLSTATE[42000]: Syntax error or access violation: 1064 You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'default' at line 1 in /var/www/html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Driver/PDOConnection.php:55 Stack trace: #0 /var/www/html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Driver/PDOConnection.php(55): PDO->exec('CREATE DATABASE...') #1 /var/www/html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Connection.php(1534): Doctrine\DBAL\Driver\PDOConnection->exec('CREATE DATABASE...') #2 /var/www/html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Schema/AbstractSchemaManager.php(1049): Doctrine\DBAL\Connection->executeStatement('CREATE DATABASE...') #3 /var/www/html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Schema/AbstractSchemaManager.php(433): Doctrine\DBAL\Schema\AbstractSchemaManager->_execSql('CREATE DATABASE...') #4 /var/www/html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Schema/AbstractSchemaManager.php(588): Doctrine\ in /var/www/html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Driver/AbstractMySQLDriver.php on line 98

And then, nothing !

Then I tried on another computer on Namecheap, using the Softaculous auto install : Also a failure !!!
Nothing shows, page not available.

How come I cannot install Chamilo with the click of ONE BUTTON on Coolify from my VPS ????
Moodle is present and I installed Moodle with Coolify in 5 mn !!

The thing is that I represent a large Media Group in South of France and I really wanted to restart the training department WITH CHAMILO !!! But considering the installation problems , I am starting to get into huge doubts. On top of this, as the installation process wasn't made simple, hords are ready to invoice me a 10 h support ticket, etc... So basically, getting money out of me for sincerely trying JUST to cleanly install Chamilo on our VPS............

Since I have spent the last day and a half trying just to install Chamilo, I am nearing nervous breakdown and even supecting Chamilo to be too fragile and inaccessible.

Please someon help me for 15mn on remote session just to get my version running so I can at least properly test Chamilo and its wonders. Otherwise, I'll abandon it.

My goal is just to have Chamilo, installed on my VPS, possibly using docker image; and that's all.

Stéphane

[chatonito]

Change your PHP version from 8.x to PHP 7.4.33 and try the installation again.

Chamilo has some incompatibilities with PHP 8.x that will be resolved in Chamilo version 2.0.

We saw this error with PHP 8.x and it didn't work; it only worked with PHP 7.4.

Regards, I hope this helps.

Sincerely, Dr. Agustin Rico Guzman
Webmaster, CAR Medical Education
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[LionKingIsBack]

Hello Augiustin and thank you for your message!
I finally was able to make it work <ithout changing the PHP.
but EXCEPT for courses, I cn dreate a course, but cannot build, modify, etc... I don't have access to courses which is critical isn't it ?
I get this error everytime i want to access to a course, so i am not even allowed to build any course.

"Not Found
The requested URL was not found on this server.
Apache/2.4.65 (Debian) Server at chamilo.aigentics.site Port 80"

Please help ! I am almost there !
Js

[LionKingIsBack]

Hello Augustin !
Thank you for your reply.
Actually I have succeeded in installing it but I have a strange blocking issue.
I see everything works in my Chamilo, EXCEPT courses, courses buildings, etc...
Everytime I try to enter a course to build it or see it or modify, i get a

[chatonito]

For the courses to work in Chamilo, the mod_rewrite module needs to be loaded and activated in Apache server.

[LionKingIsBack]

too complicated really.
why all of this is too old, 20 years back.
We want just plug and play and AI taking care of all configuration while we concentrate on engineering the teachings.
I don't want to understand or even do 1% of technical, I just want to use it !
I can understand why everybody is on minimalist support when their software is 20 years old.....

[chatonito]

Just type the following into the Ubuntu/debian terminal:

sudo enable mod_rewrite

This activates the module on the Apache server.

Restart the Apache server with:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

And that's it... your Chamilo will be working.

It might seem complicated for those who aren't technically inclined (I'm a doctor, I understand the problem), but it's just something that can be resolved with a little help and patience.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. We're here to help each other.

Regards,

Dr. Agustin Rico Guzman
Webmaster, CAR Medical Education

[LionKingIsBack]

Hello Agustin, Thank you for trying to help me . I tried to run the SSH "sudo enable mod_rewrite" from root and from chamilo-1.11 directory. System says command is in error. I reaching the point of total disgust regarding Chamilo, each time something is missing and when you try it nothing happens so you are stuck with unexplanable thing. I am ready to give up completely and pay 300€ for some guy to install Canvas LMS on my server, all plug and play, all fast and modern interface.  I just can't lose mor time trying to install, nothing fun in that.  I just want to spend my energy USING and CREATING instead of permanent frustration on installation. When I hear "chamilo" i feel bad now. I give up.  I am european and wanted to use a european solution , unlike Moodle or Canvas LMS, but I reached all limits and patience. Chamilo already responsible for 8 hours of my life lost understand it in installation. I GIVE UP ! Js    Le 12/11/2025 16:33:08, chatonito ***@***.***> a écrit : Just type the following into the Ubuntu/debian terminal: sudo enable mod_rewrite This activates the module on the Apache server. Restart the Apache server with: sudo systemctl restart apache2 And that's it... your Chamilo will be working. It might seem complicated for those who aren't technically inclined (I'm a doctor, I understand the problem), but it's just something that can be resolved with a little help and patience. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. We're here to help each other. Regards, Dr. Agustin Rico Guzman Webmaster, CAR Medical Education — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub [#7006 (comment)], or unsubscribe [https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BD3ORYWOBXQGC576ZUFLBW334NHLDAVCNFSM6AAAAACLKPOY5CVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTIOJUHA3TIOA]. You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Message ID: ***@***.***>

[chatonito]

I entered the command incorrectly in Ubuntu Debian.

It should be:

sudo a2enmod rewrite

This enables PHP's "rewrite" mode so that course access works.

Chamilo, Moodle, and Canvas each have their own characteristics. We've tested several free LMSs.

Chamilo is known for its ease of use and shorter learning curve.

Come on, don't give up! We'll continue to help as much as we can.

I'm at your service, and I've also had and still have my share of issues with Chamilo. Feel free to ask if you have any questions; we're happy to help.

Regards,
Dr. Agustin Rico Guzman

[LionKingIsBack]

***@***.***:~# sudo a2enmod rewrite Module rewrite already enabled ***@***.***:~# I'd like to believe you........ Le 12/11/2025 20:11:34, chatonito ***@***.***> a écrit : I entered the command incorrectly in Ubuntu Debian. It should be: sudo a2enmod rewrite This enables PHP's "rewrite" mode so that course access works. Chamilo, Moodle, and Canvas each have their own characteristics. We've tested several free LMSs. Chamilo is known for its ease of use and shorter learning curve. Come on, don't give up! We'll continue to help as much as we can. I'm at your service, and I've also had and still have my share of issues with Chamilo. Feel free to ask if you have any questions; we're happy to help. Regards, Dr. Agustin Rico Guzman — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub [#7006 (comment)], or unsubscribe [https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BD3ORYRRLXC3SHF4YWTY5W334OA6HAVCNFSM6AAAAACLKPOY5CVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTIOJVGEYTGNA]. You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Message ID: ***@***.***>

[DisciplinaDigital]

This error occurs because Chamilo is trying to create a database with a name that contains the MySQL reserved word default, which causes a syntax error.

Create the database manually, before running the Chamilo installer, create the database manually:

mysql -u root -p

CREATE DATABASE chamilo_db CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
CREATE USER 'chamilo_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_secure_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON chamilo_db.* TO 'chamilo_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Then, during Chamilo installation:

DO NOT check the option "Create database if it doesn't exist"
Use the database name you created (chamilo_db)
Use the credentials of the user you created

PHP and necessary extensions:

apt update
apt install php8.3 php8.3-mysql php8.3-gd php8.3-curl php8.3-zip php8.3-xml php8.3-mbstring php8.3-intl php8.3-ldap php8.3-apcu