Box Background Color Won't stick.

[Lainee]

I changed the box heading background color from green to purple and I replaced the tile_back.gif. When I go to my online catalog the color changes for a couple of seconds but then reverts right back to the original color. Take a look:

http://chic-perfumefragrance.com/

Is there something special about a tile_back.gif ? I just created a rectangle in the correct color and pixel size, named it and uploaded it.

[TMC_Sherpa]

are you modifying the information in the classic directory or did you create your own template folder? It's pulling the css and tile_back.gif from classic.
How do you have your template selection set up? is your custom template (are you using a custom template folder?) the default or is it based on a language (ie english)?

[Lainee]

I am making the change under templates/classic/css/stylesheet.css

I have no custom template, I am using the one provided when I installed, which is classic. Is this not right?

[afo]

I am making the change under templates/classic/css/stylesheet.css

I have no custom template, I am using the one provided when I installed, which is classic. Is this not right?

It's not right. You really have to create a custom template. Any changes you make in the /classic/ folders will be overwritten by an update/upgrade and you'll lose all the work you've done.

To create a very basic custom template (you can build from there), you need:
includes/languages/YOUR_TEMPLATE/english.php
includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/index.php
includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/header.php (to change the logo)
includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_header.php
includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_footer.php
includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/images/logo.gif
includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/css/stylesheet.css

Anywhere you see a /classic/ folder, you can create a folder for your custom template. You can copy the necessary files from either the /classic/ folder, the /template_default/ folder or the parent folder.

Edit includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php to give your template identifying information so you'll recognize it in the admin under tools->template selection.

[Lainee]

Since I hadn't done very much work and I did it wrong I unistalled and reinstalled Zen Cart. I created all the new folders in the appropriate places (called them: my_custom_template) and copied over all the appropriate files into my new folders as shown below. The 1st thing I did was replace my logo.gif in my new folder. I went to my online catalog and nothing changed. I refreshed and still nothing changed. Then I changed the box background color in my new stylesheet in my new folder. I went to my online catalog and nothing changed. I refreshed and still nothing changed. How does the sytem know to use my new folder and files instead of the old ones?

[afo]

Did you go into the admin under tools->template selection and select your custom template from the pulldown menu?

[Lainee]

The pull down menu gives me no other choice, just the Classic Contemporay Green. How do I get the pulldown menu to include the new template? How come I don't have I have to copy over all the files, just the ones listed below?

[afo]

The pull down menu gives me no other choice, just the Classic Contemporay Green. How do I get the pulldown menu to include the new template? How come I don't have I have to copy over all the files, just the ones listed below?

You only need to copy the files you want/need to change. The rest will take care of itself.

[Lainee]

Ok, I figured out I had a few folders in the wrong place. LOL! This stuff is hard, but I am catching on. Now I have a Default option in the tools - Select Template drop down box. I selected the Default and then changed the logo.gif It showed up on the online catalog so I know I am on the right track. I didn't fix everthing else in the styles sheet and header files yet to make it look right, but I will. The main thing is none of the left and right columns/boxes/etc. shows up on the new Default template. I guess I have to figure out which files to copy over to get them back.

[afo]

No, the boxes are set in the admin. Look under tools->layout boxes contoller