maximum number of post variables exceeded error when sorting / ordering categories

[veniceninja]

I need some help. When trying to sort the order on categories, I'm getting "maximum number of post variables exceeded". we have approximately a little over 3000 categories / subcategories. I called miva, they told us to do the update and it would be fixed. Current version is:

Production Release 8 Update 8
Miva Merchant Engine v5.16
Database API: mysql

However, this did not fix the problem. They told us to call Wolfpaw, our host, and they did not know what the issue was. Called Miva, and they said they didn't know either. Reading here on the forum, some threads say to set some setting to 0 when this error is encountered, although it looks like people are having this issue with products, so I'm not sure if it will fix my issue. Question is, how do I change this setting? Where's this file, or is this a setting our host has to change on the miva engine installed on the server? I'm tired of getting the runaround. Been trying to get a legitimate answer for the past two weeks. Seems like Miva's gotten worse and worse over the years with the tech support. They need to take their job more seriously.

[wcw]

Re: maximum number of post variables exceeded error when sorting / ordering categorie

Are you using the built in sort or a 3rd party module?

[ILoveHostasaurus]

Re: maximum number of post variables exceeded error when sorting / ordering categorie

Please private message me who you spoke with at Miva; I'd like to find out why they were not aware of how to resolve that.

The change you'll need is to set 'maxpostvars' to zero. This is done in only one of two ways depending on how your host has the engine (Empresa) set up. If you see a file named mivavm.conf in your site's cgi-bin directory, it's just a plain text file; you can edit it and add this to the bottom:

maxpostvars=0

If your host doesn't have a mivavm.conf that you can see, they are probably using the 'environment variable' style of Empresa setup instead. In that case, they'll need to set the variable MvCONFIG_MAX_POST_VARS to zero for you and restart the web server software. It's a simple change; if you just tell them to set that to zero they should be able to take care of the rest.

[SunCam]

Re: maximum number of post variables exceeded error when sorting / ordering categorie

I had these kind of maddening problems with my old host (web.com) so I switched to Hostasaurus on strong advice from someone on this forum. I don't know Wolfpaw but it sounds like they don't do much for you. There are other excellent hosts for Miva but this forum is the place that you will find the good ones. You will know them because they are the ones who have the answers to the problems that make us crazy. I don't want to make David Hubbard blush but he always seems to be the one who has the solid, useful answers for most questions, particularly when it comes to hosting issues.

[veniceninja]

Re: maximum number of post variables exceeded error when sorting / ordering categorie

David, problem fixed. Thanks for the reply and solving the issue. Bill, understood, I've actually been jumping between miva webhost for the past 10 years. Wolfpaw is a great host, don't get me wrong. And I actually talked to David a few years ago inquiring about switching over to hostasauras before signing up with Wolfpaw. At that time, there was not a server plan that met my needs. In either case, my biggest issue is with Miva, trying to throw me back to our webhost several times because they had no answer for me. This should have been something that could have been resolved very quickly as David replied. Instead, i feel we were given the runaround on the phones whenever calling them. I should not have to go hunting around for answers. If they're tech support, they should do their job and act as tech support, not have the client do their job for them. I'm still in awe as how simple a fix this is, and miva never mentioned this fix at all for all the time wasted on the phone. Whoever is supervising at miva tech support, needs to get their team into shape. I'm actually still pretty upset about it. I used to recommend Miva in the early years, lately, I find myself telling people to stay away.

[Rick Wilson]

Re: maximum number of post variables exceeded error when sorting / ordering categorie

I certainly understand your frustration, it's worth noting though that David works for Miva Merchant, he's our CIO and stepped in to help you. So while you had a bad phone experience (which we'll deal with, hopefully you sent David the PM he asked for), I also hope you see the level of commitment from the upper management, myself and David included.

[makco1]

Re: maximum number of post variables exceeded error when sorting / ordering categorie

Great tip, I've been fighting this issue for a few years on 2 sites.
I added the simple maxpostvars=0 and it's working
Thanks