how to fix problems with verifying site maps

i had a common problem when i go to verify my google site map.

my isp redirects error 404 to a page which return OK code 200 and google doesn't like that. here's my fix.

add this to your .htaccess file in your
public_html

ErrorDocument 404 PUB_HTML_PATH/return.php

where PUB_HTML_PATH is the path to your public_html dir

then make a php file PUB_HTML_PATH/return.php :

<?php
exit(header("HTTP/1.1 404 Not found"));
?>

test by going to yoursite,i.e. http: //widget.com/nofile and you
should get the standard 404 page instead of the the redirect that the ISP gave you.

then reverify and if it works, buy my software for the trouble i've saved you, http:// widget.com.com drum tab converter player, drum music editor.

good luck , steve

[edited by: mona at 3:20 pm (utc) on Feb. 1, 2006]
[edit reason] no urls, please - thx! [/edit]