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Thread: Close user registration in phpBB2

  1. #1
    Triple Platinum Member Curio's Avatar
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    Close user registration in phpBB2

    Anyone know how to close user registration in phpBB2 - exactly how not a theory about removing links to the registration script please. I want to be able to set up a bulletin board for a group of users then only the admin can allow the addition of any more users, just as a security precaution. The user base is unlikely to change more than once or twice a year. There is a routine which checks to see if a user name is already in use - perhaps that could be subverted to always evaluate to true?

    If the process can be turned on/off from the AMC that would be even better.

    If you know of some decent BB software based on Apache/MySQL/PHP that has this functionality built in and doesn't cost a fortune I would also be interested. Thank you for your help.
    I'm using Windows 7 - you got a problem with that?

  2. #2
    Head Honcho Administrator Reverend's Avatar
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    In vBulletin there is a setting "Allow New User Registrations" Yes or No

    I haven't used phpBB,but i would assume there must be a similar setting.

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  3. #3
    Triple Platinum Member hotmale's Avatar
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    I guess this should work:
    Go to ACP
    Select "Disallow names" from "User Admin"
    Then disallow the usernames: *, **, ***, ****, *****...
    I'm not sure, but common sense tells me it should work

  4. #4
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    There isnt any such option in phpBB and I searched for a mod, but there isnt one.

    Simple Machines is a free board software -
    Quote Originally Posted by SMF Features
    Disable member registration completely (allowing only moderators to register people).
    Last edited by tarun; June 20th, 2005 at 15:15 PM.

  5. #5
    Triple Platinum Member Curio's Avatar
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    SMF I got a feeling I downloaded it last week but I have been testing so many things I may have skimmed over it. I like phpBB2 and it's just that one option that is stopping me. Disallowing all user names using *,** etc...... I might try it but I feel it could also affect existing members. Maybe revoking some permissions from the MySQL table for users would prevent successful additions without stopping the board from working?
    I'm using Windows 7 - you got a problem with that?

  6. #6
    Triple Platinum Member hotmale's Avatar
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    Disallowing names shouldn't affect existing members:
    Please note that you will not be allowed to specify any username that has already been registered. You must first delete that name then disallow it.
    It depends how often you'll be adding members. Disallowing names should work fine if you're going to add few users every once in a while.

    Or may be you could just password-protect the registration page if it's possible.

    I also noticed the "Enable account activation" feature in General Admin > Configuration. Select the value "Admin". That might be an alternative.

  7. #7
    Triple Platinum Member Curio's Avatar
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    Woohoo well done Hotmale that was just what I wanted - although it doesn't stop the account being created it can't be used and that is good enough for what I want.

    Thank you.
    I'm using Windows 7 - you got a problem with that?

  8. #8
    Head Honcho Administrator Reverend's Avatar
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    Similar setting in vBulletin.

    Moderate New Members: "Allows you to validate new members before they are classified as registered members and are allowed to post."

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  9. #9
    Triple Platinum Member hotmale's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Curio
    Woohoo well done Hotmale that was just what I wanted - although it doesn't stop the account being created it can't be used and that is good enough for what I want.

    Thank you.
    You can always count on me, dude

  10. #10
    Bronze Member carloc's Avatar
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    Why don't you simply remove the register link in the "index.php" page?

  11. #11
    Triple Platinum Member hotmale's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by carloc
    Why don't you simply remove the register link in the "index.php" page?
    Too easy to bypass.

  12. #12
    Head Honcho Administrator Reverend's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hotmale
    Too easy to bypass.
    Carloc was joking in reference to Curio's first post. "not a theory about removing links to the registration script please"

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  13. #13
    Bronze Member carloc's Avatar
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    LOL... just joking!

    Have you searched here? http://www.phpbbhacks.com/

    Anyway... I asked to a friend of mine and he told me it's quite difficult to do without using the mysql db directly.
    In the db you should find a table named "phpbb_users" in which each registered user has an own progressive ID. Here you can find the Anonimous user which has ID set to -1. If you delete it, any new user that attempts to register will prompt a message that he/she is already registered. This means that the Administrato can't create new users too!! So you will need to manually edit the db. I'm not sure this procedure can work properly but it could be a tip...

  14. #14
    Triple Platinum Member hotmale's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Reverend
    Carloc was joking in reference to Curio's first post. "not a theory about removing links to the registration script please"


    When I posted that reply, it was probably late. So, I guess you'll have to let me get away with it this time
    Last edited by hotmale; June 23rd, 2005 at 05:50 AM.

  15. #15
    Triple Platinum Member hotmale's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Curio
    although it doesn't stop the account being created it can't be used and that is good enough for what I want.
    I just saw that phpBB 3 (under development), will also have the choice "Disable" for "Enable account activation".
    Last edited by hotmale; June 23rd, 2005 at 22:08 PM. Reason: added quote

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