Q: Error reading settings on Server app

I would use the cp command so that you copy rather than move the file.  I would also make a copy of the current file before replacing it.  That way, if it doesn't work, you still have the original default in place:

cd /etc/apache2
sudo cp httpd.conf httpd.conf.old

sudo cp httpd.conf.default httpd.conf

sudo apachectl graceful

Yep, so mine is gone now.

That's why following the manual is probably better.

sudo serveradmin command web:command=restoreFactorySettings

(https://help.apple.com/advancedserveradmin/mac/10.7/#apd163efc3a-1465-4a44-ad2d- c76094144512)

I'm not sure how restoring the factory defaults from the manual works.  It might actually look for the default file.  If the default file is not there, then it would have difficulty resetting it.  Hopefully Apple has a default file stored in another location.

I'm continuing to have issues with the Wiki.  Even though I've both reset to the factory defaults AND replaced the default file.  I'm still getting the error in the Wiki area.

It only works if the default file is there (mine is gone, and it gave an error in Console.app).

I couldn't find the default file anywhere else, nog even in the ServerEssentials package (which is downloaded when you turn your Mac into a server). Although I could be missing a place.

Getting "Error reading settings" in both wiki server and profile manager, not quite sure how to fix either. 

My server is reporting "Error Reading Settings" in Wiki and Profile Manager. There seems to be no way to fix the settings. I guess the problem started when I had to change the server name and ip.

I was looking in my apache2 folder and noticed the size of the files were off. httpd.conf and httpd.conf~orig were both 12k. Opened httpd.conf added a # and saved. File size is now 25k and no more "Error Reading Settings"

for the Web Server.....

I did this and that solved my problem, but after restart the web server won´t start, and this solution gives me 'no such file or directory'. What to do now?

It's in ServerEssentials.pkg; look in /private/etc/apache2/sites/000_any_80_.conf.default.

Took me awhile to find it as well, but it really is essential to back up those .default files because the command to reset to factory defaults depends on them being there.

Yeah, some advanced config files (like virtual hosts) are in the ServerEssentials.pkg

While more basic ones, like httpd.conf, are included with every Lion install (not just server and therefore not included in ServerEssentials).

So, I've looked everywhere.... where are ServerEssentials?  I'm trying to get the default files back so I don't have to do a clean install.

Here ya go guys: http://www.genecrucean.com/tmp/httpd.conf.default

Definitely cp and not mv

Great thread this! It solved my problem too. Web, iCal server, address book server, and profile manager stopped working all of a sudden. Just on a reboot. Great that it was easily solved, but seems a bit unstable. Well I guess its expected with a .0 release?

hasse

It didn't work for me either. it looked like it was going to work and then it just says server error. any idea how to fix this?

I have to jump on the "Me too!" bandwagon. I have followed both of the above suggestions, both resetting to factory defaults and copying the .default file over and restarting gracefully. No dice.  Both Wiki and Profile Manager give me the "Error reading settings" results.

Any other ideas?