Of course PHP versions can affect things... especially when you use a version that is not supported. That's why the system requirements are posted on the osticket.com web site and on github.
My unwillingness to possibly infect my personal computer is just that. My unwillingness. That is me not trusting someones computer I do not know, on a public forum. That is not me blaming a virus. That is me not willing to take the risk on someone that I do not know. Why didn't I trust you off the bat? Well you didn't follow the posting guidelines.
It's nice that you think that osTicket is my product but sadly I'm just a forum moderator who happens to do more than just moderate which is to say I provide support for the product. While it is true i have submitted code to the project, authored articles, and answered posts for years it is not my product. I wish that it were.