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Text messed up when returned from DB

When I submit text with apostrophies and speech marks in the text area.. when the text returns from the db totally messed up.

the submitted text is dealt as follows:
$content = htmlentities(mysql_prep($_POST['content']));

where mysql_prep is a function => below

the returned text is displayed the following way:

strip_tags(nl2br($sel_page['content']),"<b><br><p><a>");

the database field is set to text, utf8-general-ci

Will be very greatful if someone help me sort out this problem - I can't even think straight after a long weekend working ... Thanks a lot for all your tips

function mysql_prep( $value ) { //parameter passed by the function caller - variable from a form
	$magic_quotes_active = get_magic_quotes_gpc(); // this function has been deprecated in PHP 5.3.0 and removed from PHP6.0.0
	$new_enough_php = function_exists( "mysql_real_escape_string"); // Tests if a function in brackets exists (returns TRUE or FALSE; it is to find out if PHP version is higher than v4.3
	if( $new_enough_php ) { // PHP is of v4.3.0 or higher
	// undo any magic quote effects so mysql real_escape_string function can do it
		if( $magic_quotes_active ) { $value = stripslashes( $value ); }
		$value = mysql_real_escape_string( $value );
	} else { // PHP versions older than v4.3.0
	//if magic quotes aren't already on then add slashes manually
		if( !$magic_quotes_active ) { $value = stripslashes( $value ); }
		// if magic quotes are active, then the slashes already exists
	}
	return $value;
}

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Ray Paseur

Show us some input and the output, please.

czechmate1976

ASKER

ok, here is a sample... thanks a lot - Not sure if it has much to do with that - but the text is copied from a website with these speechmarks etc.

ENTERED TEXT:
The requirements for a mobile phone or 3G card are very important for the dayto-day communication for Agip KCO , FGE are able to provide a connection and hardware on the same day or within 2 days which is really good service

RETURNED TEXT:
âýýThe requirements for a mobile phone or 3G card are very important for the dayâýýto-day communication for Agip KCO , FGE are able to provide a connection and hardware on the same day or within 2 days which is really good serviceâýý

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION