BuddyPress.org

@nexia. Problem sorted! I contacted my web hosting service as you suggested. I had to run a script on-line (by filling out a form) to ”install php as a cgi module” and then they gave me permissions to the requisite folders and files. In addition I had to paste 3 lines of code into the .htaccess file in the document root folder. Now avatars upload and crop and I can also upload files. Thanks for the advice.