This is the current setting

utf8_general_ci doesn't work

Tried other versions but no luck :*(

The setting keeps reverting to utf8mb4_unicode_ci which I understand is the default, so I just have to find out why I can't connect to it.

Ok I have added code to the [install/index.php] to echo info here is the failure with my output added

I thought utf-8 was a subset of utf8mb4 so the actual character codes should be fine. So is it a script error that can't equate the two.

Ok I have hacked the [locales/en-us/en-GB.locales.php]

line 14
from 'charset' => 'utf-8',
to 'charset' => 'utf8mb4',

and have some progress.

First I get 23 warnings as follows
Warning: htmlspecialchars(): charset `utf8mb4' not supported, assuming utf-8 in /home/lovejoy/public_html/inc/_core/_misc.funcs.php on line 365

Secondly I get the option to upgrade the database which works and site is now fine

Will see what line 365 wants in the mentioned file :)

So what is up with line 365 in [inc/_core/_misc.funcs.php]
$content = htmlspecialchars( $content, ENT_QUOTES | ENT_HTML5, $evo_charset );
break;

Could it be the $evo_charset ??

I tried changing utf-8 in [/config/_locales.php] to no effect, is that because the [locales/en-us/en-GB.locales.php] overrides it?

In the file firstmentioned I've noticed there's no entry for the case at line 361

		case 'htmlspecialchars':
		case 'formvalue':
			// Replace special chars to &, ", '|', < and > :
			// Handles & " ' < > to &amp; &quot; &apos; &lt; &gt;
			$content = htmlspecialchars( $content, ENT_QUOTES | ENT_HTML5, $evo_charset );
			break;

Please show the red error message to your webhost. They should know what to do.

Have tried the host but no luck :(

Is there any difference in any b2evo database charset between 7.1.6 and 7.2.* If not then maybe it's just a database mess. I will try with a new database as I have a number of b2evo sites on this host and as others are fine.

Thanks

Is there any difference in any b2evo database charset between 7.1.6 and 7.2.*

Not that I know of.

Latest update.
Deleted database and created new with new password.

Install went further and asked what type of blog and if demo content etc.

After selection, same error., just less screen info.

Will try and install 7.1.6 :)