Bumping this for an answer. Same issue on 2.2.1

If it fails on 3 different versions, I would think you got the wrong db credentials. Try using shell access to mysql to see if you can login.

db credentials are fine. I setup them up very simple. I dont even get a blank page or wrong info. Just the page refreshes itself everytime.

I have plenty of accounts on the same server and never had a db issue.

You will need to look at your server logs for a clue about what's going on. If you're not sure where to find them, you should contact your host.

Without more information, it sounds like your files were moved or can no longer be accessed. 

Hi Brett,

I checked and there are no error codes except for last march having to do with yeschat.

Now all that loads is the index.php sign in page. When you attempt to log in from that page all that loads is a blank white page. The tech at PowWeb suggested the problem may be in the elgg action directory. I have older backup files which I copied to my drive using expression web after installing elgg from the scripting tools at PowWeb. They are slightly larger than the ones currently on the server. If I attempt to rewrite the original elgg installation will it affect mods added later or member content?

If I attempt to loadpages directly by URL for example  http://SpiritualFamily.net/SFN/activity

http://SpiritualFamily.net/SFN/members

http://SpiritualFamily.net/SFN/groups  

etc.,  I get the same thing a blank white page. I am running 18.18 and I am wondering if I upgrade to 18.19 if it will fix the problem without deleting my content. Any suggestions are welcomed. I have two months of 12 hour days of content on the site. Is there any directory I can backup to save blogs and pages before attempting an upgrade? I have searched the directories of the installation and cannot find any page or blog content, only the elgg program files seem to be visible using the PowWeb file manager. 

all content is stored in the database, make a backup of that before you do anything else.  It might also be worth while backing up your data directory.

Next you can try to upgrade to 1.8.19 but I doubt that's the root cause unless you (or someone) changed/moved/deleted files.  Things don't just stop working like that, something changed.  New plugin, new server setting, some permissions changed.

Are you sure there's nothing in the php logs?  You can try to enable logging to the screen via the .htaccess setting