To determine if your server is running PHP via phpSuExec (i.e., CGI) instead of Apache
- upload a phpinfo() file and check the “Server API” near the top of the file.
 - If it says “Apache”, PHP is running on Apache;
 - if it says “CGI”, PHP is running via phpSuExec.
 
This is important because it is impossible to manipulate php.ini directives via htaccess while running PHP on phpSuExec.