If you are hosted with 1and1 and have setup a MySQL database and are manually installing WordPress this will save you a few steps.

I’ve setup several WordPress sites on 1and1. Occasionally I’ll find that during the automatic theme install it freezes or hangs on “Downloading package…” The fix is quick and easy but not found on the 1and1 FAQ.

1. Create a file named php.ini in your wp-admin directory.
2. Add the following line no quotes “memory=30MB”
(30MB is the max amount of memory 1and1 let’s you allocate)
3. Save and close.
4. Open your .htaccess file in your root directory.
5. Add the following lines no quotes
“AddType x-mapp-php5 .php
AddHandler x-mapp-php5 .php”
6. Save and close.

Now you can auto-upgrade, auto-install themes and pluggins, and upload directly into post. BTW, I’ve only had to do this with 1and1 hosting.