Make sure that .htaccess file exists in the Joomla! site root. If .htaccess file does not exists, you may create it by renaming the htaccess.txt file included in Joomla! root directory. Also, make sure that the file size is higher than 2.5 KB, if not, get a clean htaccess.txt file from a Joomla installation package then rename it on your FTP.
Make sure that the RewriteCond and RewriteRule directives are uncommented in the section for 3rd party SEF modules (almost end of the .htaccess file) - this only applies to Joomla 1.0.x. In Joomla 1.5.x there is only one set of rules that is already uncommented by default.
Finally, make sure to set the RewriteBase value to match the root URL of your Joomla! installation at the server.
This means the path to root without the server name - e.g. if your Joomla! is installed as http://www.domain.org/somedir/myjoomlaroot, that the right setting would be RewriteBase /somedir/myjoomlaroot). If your site is located in domain root, the RewriteBase may either stay commented our or have / value. However, even if in root some servers require uncommenting it and setting explicit value (then set it simply to RewriteRule /).
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