Looking for someone to help resolve my file upload/avatar issue

I started a thread on a previous forum regarding the issues I am having with uploading avatars and other files into a directory outside of the document root:

http://community.elgg.org/mod/groups/topicposts.php?topic=34143&group_guid=12

I believe I have set up the correct permissions (fyi, elgg doesnt allow you to install until the data directory is outside the document root), but when I try to U/L anything I either get an error, or files with 0 bytes.

I believe I have also set up the correct basedir directives, but as I am not an expert in these matters, I cannot be sure I have done it all correctly. My hosting provider will not provider further support on this matter, and I can understand that, as this is more a specific setup issue, rather that a provision issue.

So I am asking the general elgg community if someone is available, for a fee, to diagnose the problem and provide a remedy. I am happy to describe the issue in more detail if you wish.

I am very keen to use elgg for my project, and I hope to get this resolved as quickly as possible.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Gene