Multisite not working, ISP blames "php not being cgi"

Hi,

does this ring true …

I have a WP Multisite not working, ISP blames “php not being cgi” on the server.

I know that it is installed and configured correctly (wp-config.php, .htaccess, *.domain.com wildcard via cpanel etc) as I have done it many times before.

The primary symptom is that it whereas I can get as far as “Network”, it will not show the Super Admin sidebar panel, and will not allow the creation of the blogs.

My feeling is that I am being bullshitted to by the ISP because

a) their techs are not so hot answering questions and do not know WP-MS, and
b) they appear to have their servers tied right now both with unnecessary security and by disabling normal features … and then “selling” them back as “extras”.

Responses appreciated.