Switching Server Hell

09 Apr 2010, 15:05

#1

New Zenner

Join Date:: Jan 2010
Posts:: 69
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Switching Server Hell

Can someone please help me. I am switching my server from 1and1 to justhost. The installation of zencart seems to be fine. However, when I use the fix cache key I run into all sorts of problems. The prefix on the install of the DB was always " " but with the new install it becomes "zen_". So I switch it back to the orginal methods and now I get the following:

1146 Table 'XXXXXXX_zc1.sessions' doesn't exist
in:
[select value from sessions where sesskey = '334fec8e718e36409ff4c0ac54793c14' and expiry > '1270824861']

How do I begin to fix this problem?

09 Apr 2010, 15:21

#2

drbyte

Sensei

Join Date:: Jan 2004
Posts:: 63,506
Plugin Contributions:: 173

Re: Switching Server Hell

If you do the install by hand, then you can specify the appropriate prefix during the zc_install step where you enter database details.
That gives you the most control over how it behaves, and will remove a lot of your stress.

This FAQ article was written with that purpose in mind: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=100

09 Apr 2010, 15:35

#3

lost_and_confused

New Zenner

Join Date:: Jan 2010
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Re: Switching Server Hell

I did the install by hand and then I had a blank screen. Either way, I don't think it's a problem with the install. It seems to be something with the database and fixing cache.

09 Apr 2010, 15:45

#4

schoolboy

Totally Zenned

Join Date:: Jun 2005
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Re: Switching Server Hell

As Dr Byte says... If you perform a manual install, then YOU have the option of assigning a prefix. If you don't assign a prefix during the manual install, the database tables will not have a prefix.

Typically, a "fantastico" install WILL automatically assign the zen_ prefix, so I have to conclude that you did not actually do a manual install, but used either fantastico or another server-side install script to do the install for you.

09 Apr 2010, 15:50

#5

drbyte

Sensei

Join Date:: Jan 2004
Posts:: 63,506
Plugin Contributions:: 173

Re: Switching Server Hell

Your database table names need to reflect the same DB_PREFIX you've specified during installation.
If you're getting "table doesn't exist" errors, then you've got one or the other wrong.

If you're getting blank screens, then you need to fix the PHP errors that are causing those:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=82
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=87

09 Apr 2010, 15:59

#6

schoolboy

Totally Zenned

Join Date:: Jun 2005
Posts:: 10,324
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Re: Switching Server Hell

OK, I'm going to make some assumptions here about the technique you used to move to the new host.

1. You backed up everything on the old server and/or then downloaded copies.

2. You set up a database on the new server and then imported the old database into it (so you have a database without any table prefixes).

3. You created another database in order to run a fantastico install, and within a minute or two, fantastico had a fresh installation for you.

3. You then edited the fantastico installation's configure.php files to point the site to the copied database.

4. you then experienced problems...

Try this...

Go into the two configure.php files and remove zen_ from the defines which state this parameter.

13 Apr 2010, 23:14

#7

lost_and_confused

New Zenner

Join Date:: Jan 2010
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Re: Switching Server Hell

Yes Schoolboy, you nailed what I did exactly. Anyway, it was a nightmare. I server was down since Friday. I believe that the problem resulted because the new host had the same issue as the old host. When I tried to upload my old database it kept getting a time out error so only upload portions of my database up to P. Everything else was not uploaded. Overall, I just canceled the entire thing and stayed with my horrible host. I didn't have the time required to invest in making the new host work. My server was down all weekend. Just came back up today as a result of the transfer. Absolute nightmare. All in all, I'll be stuck with my host for the next year.

14 Apr 2010, 23:17

#8

jetx

Zen Follower

Join Date:: Apr 2006
Posts:: 425
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Re: Switching Server Hell

To avoid time out errors try using gzipped files, worked for me.

14 Apr 2010, 23:34

#9

twaddle

Banned

Join Date:: Jul 2009
Posts:: 478
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Re: Switching Server Hell

I fail to see how DrByte's link in post #2 doesn't work, assuming you follow it line by line

I've even followed that advice for GoDaddy transfers and it worked... I don't think I need to say more, other than try again, but this time really follow it word for word and don't skip anything

14 Apr 2010, 23:40

#10

twaddle

Banned

Join Date:: Jul 2009
Posts:: 478
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Re: Switching Server Hell

Lost and Confused:
Yes Schoolboy, you nailed what I did exactly. Anyway, it was a nightmare. I server was down since Friday. I believe that the problem resulted because the new host had the same issue as the old host. When I tried to upload my old database it kept getting a time out error so only upload portions of my database up to P. Everything else was not uploaded. Overall, I just canceled the entire thing and stayed with my horrible host. I didn't have the time required to invest in making the new host work. My server was down all weekend. Just came back up today as a result of the transfer. Absolute nightmare. All in all, I'll be stuck with my host for the next year.

Oops. I missed this one.

So for the sake of, what? $4 a month you pay now? and upgrading to $4.50, you are willing to compromise your potential earnings?

If your host is pants then just switch and bite the bullet and buy some decent hosting.

Do that, then try get a refund from your original hosting, tell them it was not suitable for what you intended and you'd like to cancel the contract as their website/advertising was unclear

Oh, but make sure its working on the new host before you start dishing out legalities... professionally speaking here, my temper has dumped me in all manner of problems for not doing the simplest of things like this LOL

14 Apr 2010, 23:42

#11

website_rob

Inactive

Join Date:: Oct 2006
Posts:: 4,572
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Re: Switching Server Hell

When doing a Server / Hoster move the biggest problem will usually be the Importing of the database. phpMyAdmin will probably time out if the db is bigger than 5 or 10 MB. The only way to solve this type of problem is to either have your Hoster help you by using Shell to import or use a script such as Big Dump which, although showing as Beta does work very well. I've used it many times as it allows one to split the database into smaller files which then get uploaded in sequence. This preserves the integrity of the database whilst allowing to upload it all.

15 Apr 2010, 00:00

#12

twaddle

Banned

Join Date:: Jul 2009
Posts:: 478
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Re: Switching Server Hell

Yup - I'll second BIG DUMP - it works perfectly.

(I guess only Brits find it amusing?)