If you are getting an error: Failed: Code to be patched not found in file: READ!

Hey Gang,
This question seems to be posted a lot in this forum without much response other then 'Read the Manual', or 'install the patch',.. so, I thought I'd shed some light and clarify for newbies, like myself, just how to fix this error.

First of all, it is a GREAT idea to read the manual before and during install, but once you've gotten to this error you'll need to download a small .zip file that has a patched index.php file in it, that you'll need to upload to your server (just like you did to install SMF most likely, unless you used an auto installer like Fantastico or something)..

So, for Joomla! versions 1.0.8 thru 1.0.11 either go to http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/option,com_remository/Itemid,41/func,fileinfo/id,449/ to download the Joomla-SMF Forum 2.0RC3_1.zip file where you'll find the patched index.php files within a .zip file (named joomla_index_patched_1_0_(9 or 10) or something close) or access what ever directory you extracted this file to in the first place and locate the correct .zip file for your Joomla! version...

OR

go to http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,94/topic,2665.0 and scroll to the bottom to access the patched files for Joomla! versions 1.0.11 and 1.0.12..

Here is where many, including myself, seem to get caught. We are used to changing the index.php file within Joomla!'s template folder to make layout changes.. BUT, the patched index.php file needs to be uploaded to your Joomla! Root Directory (ex: I installed Joomla! in http://www.mywebdomain.com/content/ so I need to upload the patched index.php file to the /content/ folder IN PLACE OF the existing index.php file - better yet, rename your original index.php to index_OLD.php and upload the new index.php file - in case you need to revert, it will be easier to do so).

I hope this helps clear up this issue a little bit and wish all the Joomla!, SMF and Joomla-SMF 2.0.x bridge users the best experience with their installs.
Take Care and God Bless.
JM