RE: [support] Why doesn't Drupal sees the "files" folder?

...

$conf = array( 'file_directory_path' => 'files/www.example.com' ); so it can't be changed by a site admin

Thanks. Can it be changed to be inside the "sites" subfolder: 'file_directory_path' => 'sites/www.example.com/files'

Don't know, give it a try (but note the Ken's comments regarding permissions).

However, "chown apache.apache /var/www/html/drupal/" is only going to work if you have box root. I normally do this:-

chgrp -R apache files/www.example.com chmod 770 files/www.example.com

On the assumption you "own" files/ already and can't change the ownership without being root.

(note, you need to know what group apache runs as and use that, it may not be "apache" as shown above).

regards --AjK