import csv, blank page, and php max execution time

I hope someone can help me. I'm trying to import a CSV file. It's 237k and has 2,516 lines.

On first attempt I got a blank screen so I cut it down to half the size and was successful. I assume that proves my CSV is configured okay, but that my file is too large. So I tried to import the other half and I get the blank screen again. Ugh!

I cut that in half and still got the blank screen. Then I tested using the pasted text method and did a much smaller number of lines -- probably around 50. It worked! Then I tried to do another 50 lines of pasted text and I got a blank screen again.

I left it alone for an hour and came back and got 12 lines to go through. Then I tried another 12 and got the blank screen. It seems as thought I am only allowed to import a very small number of products at a time and then I have to wait an hour before I can import more. Each time I have been successful, it has been a smaller number of lines. I have been trying different things and reading the forms all day. This is crazy...

The site is hosted on HostGator (they have been useless in trying to resolve the issue). I did find that the PHP settings are:
safe mode = Off (cannot adjust)
memory_limit = 256M (MAXIMUM)
max_execution_time = 30 (MAXIMUM in seconds)
max_input_time = 60 (MAXIMUM in seconds)
post_max_size = 64M (MAXIMUM)
upload_max_filesize = 64M (MAXIMUM)
enable_dl = Off (cannot adjust)

And just in case anyone wants to look at my CSV syntax (even though the ones that have imported worked fine):

product_id,product_name,product_description,product_quantity,product_code,price_value,parent_category,categories,product_delay_id,price_min_quantity,price_access,images
,LTG-35,Beaded chain fixture<br>Nickel finish with shade,,LTG-35,90,Lighting,Ceiling Hung,11,,,ltg-35.jpg
,LTG-34,Center-post fixture<br>Brass finish with shade,,LTG-34,105,Lighting,Ceiling Hung,11,,,ltg-34.jpg
,LTG-31,Brass lamp with globe,,LTG-31,30,Lighting,Ceiling Hung,11,,,ltg-31.jpg
,LTG-22,Five-arm brass lamp<br>Shades Sold EACH,,LTG-22,120,Lighting,Ceiling Hung,11,,,ltg-22.jpg
,LTG-20,"Floral design, oval-shaped<br>12"" x 6""",,LTG-20,20,Lighting,Ceiling Hung,11,,,ltg-20.jpg
,LTG-19,"Floral design, oval-shaped<br>12"" x 6""",,LTG-19,20,Lighting,Ceiling Hung,11,,,ltg-19.jpg
,LTG-16,Five-arm brass-plated ceiling lamp,,LTG-16,30,Lighting,Ceiling Hung,11,,,ltg-16.jpg

Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to try to paint a clear picture to save time.
Thanks to you for reading this far!

=Arydiel=

RESOLVED!

Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction. I'm sure you are 100% correct because what you describe is exactly the behavior I'm getting.

Before I tried your suggestion of setting up my own wamp server, I tried calling HostGator one last time. I got someone that was very helpful and willing to actually try to recreate the issue. He wasn't aware of any "watchdog" and couldn't do anything about it even if he was, but he did find that the memory limit was in fact set to 128 instead of the max 256 on this account. He adjusted that for me and in the end I was able to import the products and only had to break the CSV into 5 smaller files. So it really pays to have them double check those PHP settings instead of them just telling you what the defaults are.

I just wanted to follow up in case anyone else comes across this and to thank you for your response.

Sincerely,
=Arydiel=

Hi,

I have the same blank page problem. When I try to import products, nothings happened, just a blank page.

- I first used the export fonction of Hikashop to use the csv file as a template.
- I had enter only 3 products for testing purpose.
- The file is only 2.1mo
Hikashop version 2.2.1

I'm hosting with Siteground and they said that everything is ok on their server.

What can I do?

Thank you,