Strange $ _SESSION var behivor in PHP

I've been struggling with this for 2 days now. the code below works fine on my localhost (WampServer Version 2.5, Apache v2.4.9, PHP 5.5.12)

but not on my host server. I am trying to transfer $_SESSION

from one page to another (both files are in the same folder.) During registration for a new user.

page 1:(stepOne.php)

      

        
        
        
      

    

to appoint $_SESSION['userid']:

<?php
session_start();
include_once (dirname(__FILE__) .'/classes/data.php'); 
$_SESSION['userID'] = $user->id; /*user->id is set.*/
?>

      

        
        
        
      

    

page 2: (steps .php)

<?php
session_start();
include_once (dirname(__FILE__) .'/classes/data.php');
$data = new data();
error_log("session at start=".print_r($_SESSION,true));
?>

      

        
        
        
      

    

result:

[14-Jul-2015 23:31:40 America/Denver] session at start=Array
(
)

      

        
        
        
      

    

already tested: 1.session_start()

on every page.

2.sessions are

...

3.session.save_handler = files on php.ini

4.session.save_path = "/tmp" - I've created "tmp" folder

      

        
        
        
      

    

I also cannot find the session file in the "tmp" folder. Would be grateful for any suggestions and answers

UPDATE 7/15/15 - SOLVING After checking with my host server, figure out a few things:

• there was a .htaccess that apparently pointed to a different php.ini and then the one I wanted
• there was a rule in that .htaccess that redirects pages by calling $ _SESSION reset.

so what i learned from this:

• Always check if you are pointing to the correct php.ini
• Find .htaccess around ALL of your folders - maybe the old one messing around with configurations.