[curtiss]

Alright.

To diagnose SQL queries, the first step is to print out the query you're trying to execute somewhere in your code.

Then, when you print out the SQL query, copy it and try to execute it either through the command line or through a utility like PHPMyAdmin.

If you get the result you're looking for, then the problem must be in the way you're writing your PHP. If you don't get the result you're looking for, then you need to rewrite your SQL query.

You need to split up the contributing factors to find out where the problem actually lies.