This typically happens when the file browsers connector.php file does not have permission to be executable or when the file browser is not permitted access to the images & files folders. It results in the < Resource Type > not being set and files are not loaded in due to a 500 internal server error ...

It generally will produce an error similar to this:-

< Resource Type > not being set... / files are not loaded... / 500 internal server error.../ file permission restrictions...

Screen-shot:

Why is this error happening?

Joomla recommend 755 and 0644 for folders and files respectively with suPHP installed running on PHP & MySQL 5+ which gives developers like us a level playing field to work too. However, you may be using a different configuration and may need to use 777 for your files. Then again some configurations will not permit you to use 777 (which could be your problem)!

The point being is that Joomla! like our editor needs  folders and files to be read/ writable and the entry points for the browsers (this being the file which your browsers need execute) such as the file browsers connector.php file may aslo need be read/write and executable (depending on your servers).

How to perform quick diagnostic test

You can check to see if this is happening by installing Firebug (which is a free 3rd party extensions for Firefox - addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1843/ ). Once installed you can open up Firebug > Enabled the ‘Console’ Tab, visit the page where the error is occurring. If it reports something similar to the errors as described above it is likely to be a server side file permission issue.

What should I do?

I would recomend contacting your hosting provider and ask them what the correct permission should be for your server? Some may make the change for you, if not then, you will have to use an FTP program and login to the location of your Joomla site and change permissions directly on the server. Alternatively, if you are a Business & Commercial subscriber we will be happy to make the change for you.

For more official documentation on Joomla’s hosting requirements, please see below:

• community.joomla.org/blogs/leadership/51...users-listen-up.html
• http://docs.joomla.org/Security_and_Performance_FAQs#What_are_the_recommended_file_and_directory_permissions.3F
• http://docs.joomla.org/Security_Checklist_2_-_Hosting_and_Server_Setup#Avoid_sloppy_server_configurations