SSL Nonsecure Items Problems w/ Base href

[coledorsey]

Hi all. I'm new to the support forums, but I am truly in need of advice, assistance.

Zen Cart Version: 1.3.9h Fresh install w/custom template
1 Addon: Testimonials Submission
Hosting Company: Network Solutions (nsShared hosting)
Site URL: m c k i n n o n m o u n t a i n w o o d c r a f t . c o m

First of all I would like to say thanks for all of the valuable information contained in the forums. I've been able to successfully design and build an attractive storefront.

My only issue is related to SSL. I configured my site earlier this week for SSL. Firefox is fine, IE gives the "nonsecure items" message.

There aren't any absolute paths configured for images, bg, etc. And when I view source while in https mode, my base href and of course all trailing urls begin with http.

My configure.php files are configured with simply http://www.mywebsite.com and https://www.mywebsite.com. This configuration gives me the IE notice box regarding nonsecure items.

If I tweak my configure.php file and change http://www.mywebsite.com to just //www.mywebsite.com everything then appears to work fine with one exception. Once in https mode there is not getting out.

Now obviously I don't want to keep this nonstandard configuration, but it was useful for testing. I've contacted NS (hosting) and they have basicually thrown their hands in the air and blamed my code or the code within Zen Cart.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

[DrByte]

Hosting Company: Network Solutions (nsShared hosting)

That's your problem.

Network Solutions has always used a non-standard SSL configuration, and makes Zen Cart incompatible with their hosting service. There are many existing forum threads related to this very problem specifically when hosted with netsol.

You have two options:
a) run your ENTIRE site in SSL ... ie: set your HTTP_SERVER to be what your HTTPS_SERVER setting contains. Then ALL your pages will be SSL-protected. This may or may not negatively affect your search engine rankings.

b) choose a more conventional hosting service which uses up-to-date technology and standard server configurations

[coledorsey]

Thank you for your advice DrByte. It is most appreciated. This is sort of the conclusion I had come to after reviewing the numerous posts already in the forum, but was not sure.

One more question. Since the SSL certificate has already been purchased from Network Solutions, and this nonstandard configuration of NS with handling SSL certs in ZenCart has been identified......

Can I keep the SSL with NS and migrate my ZenCart to Bluehost without encountering the same issues?

I've already had a brief conversation with BH and they advised I keep the SSL with NS, but based on your knowledge of ZenCart issues, I wanted to ask you as well.

[DrByte]

Sure, the certificate itself should be able to be installed on most any other server.

[DrByte]

While you still have access to your netsol server, try this ssltest script, and report back its output:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpo...87&postcount=4

[DrByte]

Did you happen to do the test suggested?