diff --git a/common.inc.php b/common.inc.php
index c10f7de..3d8013a 100644
--- a/common.inc.php
+++ b/common.inc.php
@@ -84,8 +84,21 @@ if(!mysql_select_db($DBNAME))
}
//find out the fair year and any other 'year=0' configuration parameters (things that dont change as the years go on)
-$q=mysql_query("SELECT * FROM config WHERE year='0'");
-if(!mysql_num_rows($q))
+$q=@mysql_query("SELECT * FROM config WHERE year='0'");
+
+//we might get an error if installation step 2 is not done (ie, the config table doesnt even exist)
+if(mysql_error())
+{
+ echo "SFIAB ERROR";
+ echo "Science Fair In A Box - ERROR
";
+ echo "SFIAB installation is not complete. Please go to Installer Step 2 to complete the installation process";
+ echo "
";
+ echo "";
+ exit;
+}
+//if we have 0 (<1) then install2 is not done, which would get caught above,
+//if we have 1 (<2) then insatll3 is not done (no entries for FAIRYEAR and SFIABDIRECTORY)
+if(mysql_num_rows($q)<2)
{
echo "SFIAB ERROR";
echo "Science Fair In A Box - ERROR
";