open_basedir restriction in effect

What does "open_basedir restriction in effect" mean?

The open_basedir restriction is put on accounts to prevent users in a shared environment from accessing each others files or executing malicious scripts.

Why am I getting this error message?

This error message is common when a user tries to access a site via IP address prior to a DNS propagating. In other words, you have just set up a hosting account and are working on your site. The welcome email may have told you that you can access your site via http://123.45.67.89/~example, where "example" is your account name, prior to your DNS (Domain Name Server) resolving (an entry that tells your registrar to point your domain name at your hosting provider).

Once the DNS propagates, you can access your site via your domain name. Before then, you can't. Then how are you going to edit prepare your site, you ask? Especially if you are already running an existing site on the domain, but are updating the site and switching servers (ie. you don't want to experience downtime).

Possible Resolutions

Make sure you are using absolute paths in your site files and are referencing the correct username , ie:

Next, you can do a reverse DNS lookup and access the IP address by server name instead. If that still doesn't work, I suggest you setup and test on a subdomain, then transfer the files, and finally update the DNS.