500 Internal Server Error - new install

[groobie]

I have copied the files (v1.3.9) to my server (hosted by Streamline.net) and on running install for the first time received the following error message:

Hello. Thank you for loading Zen Cart™.
You are seeing this page for one or more reasons:

1. This is your first time using Zen Cart™ and you haven't yet completed the normal Installation procedure.
If this is the case for you, Click here to begin installation.

2. Your /includes/configure.php and/or /admin/includes/configure.php file contains invalid path information and/or invalid database-connection information.
If you recently edited your configure.php files for any reason, or maybe moved your site to a different folder or different server, then you'll need to review and update all your settings to the correct values for your server.
See the Online FAQ and Tutorials area on the Zen Cart™ website for assistance.
3. Additional Details: includes/configure.php file contents invalid. ie: DIR_FS_CATALOG not valid or not set


The portion of includes/config.php that references DIR_FS_CATALOG is as follows:

// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)
//the following path is a COMPLETE path to your Zen Cart files. eg: /var/www/vhost/accountname/public_html/store/
define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/');

define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'download/');
define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD_PUBLIC', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'pub/');
define('DIR_WS_UPLOADS', DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'uploads/');
define('DIR_FS_UPLOADS', DIR_FS_CATALOG . DIR_WS_UPLOADS);
define('DIR_FS_EMAIL_TEMPLATES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'email/');

If I attempt to run the install I get a 500 Error.

Thanks in advance if anyone can help me

[Vger]

On a new install you wouldn't have an includes/configure.php file nor an admin/includes/configure.php file - they are created by the install using the dist-configure.php files.

The solution, if carrying out a new install using the Zen Cart installer, is to delete any existing configure.php files.

If you are copying a site over then you edit the two configure.php files. Pay particular attention to all DIR_FS pathways, which are the full pathways. DIR_FS_CATALOG would not just be '/'; but something more like 'home/username/public/html/';

Vger

[groobie]

Thanks - I had more or less concluded that the physical path had to be included, however, my hosting company won't provide it.

Can I use a php function to return it?

[Vger]

To find out the full pathway to the root of your domain do this:

1. Create a new text document on your desktop and name it cwd.php. Ignore the warning about changing the file type.

2. Put this code into it:

<?php
$p = getcwd();
echo $p;
?>

3. Upload it to the root of your domain via FTP.

4. Go to http://www.yourdomain.com/cwd.php via your browser and printed on the screen will be the full pathway to the root of your domain.

5. Write down that pathway and then delete the cwd.php file from your hosting.

Vger

[DrByte]

The portion of includes/config.php that references DIR_FS_CATALOG is as follows:

[I]// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)
//the following path is a COMPLETE path to your Zen Cart files. eg: /var/www/vhost/accountname/public_html/store/
define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/');

That's likely because you copied the file from dist-configure.php, as instructed. There's nothing wrong with that when running zc_install.
There's no need to change that by hand. Run zc_install to do that.

If I attempt to run the install I get a 500 Error.

That's likely because you've got files or folders set to 777 permissions when your hosting company has set the server to allow only a maximum of 755. You'll have to use 755 instead.
And if that doesn't solve the problem, ask your hosting company why the server is sending a 500 error, since that's under their control.