title: PHP/Apache, options +indexes in htaccess doesn't work for root directory
body: <p>I need to offer a <strong>directory listing of the root directory</strong> of my site, so I created an <strong>.htaccess</strong> file containing</p>
  
  <pre>
  options +indexes
  </pre>
  
  <p>It works for subdirectories, but for the main directory I get the <strong>Test Page for the Apache HTTP Server on Red Hat Enterprise Linux</strong> page.</p>
  
  <p>I have two sites that are identical except for the <strong>PHP version</strong> installed. On one site (<strong>PHP 5.2.1</strong>) this technique works fine. On the other (<strong>PHP 5.2.9</strong>), it doesn't.</p>
  
  <p>As far as I know, the <strong>Apache</strong> installations are identical, and I verified that the <strong>httpd.conf files are identical</strong>.</p>
  
  <p>On both sites, the htaccess works for subdirectories. My problem is with the main site directory.</p>
  
  <p>My goal is to create simple sites based on directory listings, similar to <b><a href="http://znvy.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">znvy.com</a></b>.</p>
  
  <p>Is there something about the updated PHP version that <strong>prevents listing a root directory</strong>? If so is there a <strong>workaround</strong>?</p>
  
  <p><strong>[update]</strong> I looked at the page using <b><a href="http://rexswain.com/cgi-bin/httpview.cgi?http://yoursite.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">rex swain's http viewer</a></b> and the server of the problem site is returning a 403 status with the Apache default page.</p>