database writing problem...

[mc12345678]

Well it looks like *A* database is present and an outdated one at that... (Likely your old database.) Need to upload the zc_install directory, then access it to do a database only upgrade...

[mc12345678]

Be sure to upload it to the above path so that only touching this database and not your live store.

[mc12345678]

Also, in trying to access your admin, did you get to a point to provide your login credentials and then actually provide them? Hopefully not, yet...

[barco57]

Do you actually have a copy of the original 1.3.9 database from before the upgrade? If you do, drop all tables in the 1.5.4, import the 1.3.9 DB into the 1.5.4 database, then run the zcinstaller and process the DB upgrade. That will update your database from 1.3.9 to 1.5.4....now the only problem you are going to have is if when building out the 1.5.4 you ran sql files for addon modules, parts/pieces of them maybe present if those modules were installed in the 1.3.9 but if you try and run some of them again to put them in you will most likely run into mysql error for stuff already being present. That's a slightly harder nut to crack, as it requires knowledge of how to work in phpmyadmin to pull configs out of the configurations table based on the group_id, copy those out, and delete them, then you can run the sql file to add the newer version back in and you can then make any adjustments to setting from inside the admin based on what you copied out and set aside.....confused yet? It does take patience and attention to detail to not screw it up. but its the kind of thing I run into again and again while doing upgrades.
If you had started out correctly by doing the upgrade on the original database you would have been better off and would only have to copy over those customers and orders that were new since you started working on the upgrade.

[mc12345678]

Do you actually have a copy of the original 1.3.9 database from before the upgrade? If you do, drop all tables in the 1.5.4, import the 1.3.9 DB into the 1.5.4 database, then run the zcinstaller and process the DB upgrade. That will update your database from 1.3.9 to 1.5.4....now the only problem you are going to have is if when building out the 1.5.4 you ran sql files for addon modules, parts/pieces of them maybe present if those modules were installed in the 1.3.9 but if you try and run some of them again to put them in you will most likely run into mysql error for stuff already being present. That's a slightly harder nut to crack, as it requires knowledge of how to work in phpmyadmin to pull configs out of the configurations table based on the group_id, copy those out, and delete them, then you can run the sql file to add the newer version back in and you can then make any adjustments to setting from inside the admin based on what you copied out and set aside.....confused yet? It does take patience and attention to detail to not screw it up. but its the kind of thing I run into again and again while doing upgrades.
If you had started out correctly by doing the upgrade on the original database you would have been better off and would only have to copy over those customers and orders that were new since you started working on the upgrade.

This is not the recommended method of upgrading, especially if a problem occurs while trying to upgrade the original database for the first time which could disable the store until the issue is resolved... Which could be an extended period of time for one not so familiar with the process that has just been described to circumvent.

Further by running this process on a development location all of the so called SQL install issues can be addressed in that environment so that such SQL clashes will not occur on the upgrade of the live site.

[barco57]

Sorry bad language, I should have said "by doing the upgrade with the original database in a development environment"....

[Pepperfire]

Do you actually have a copy of the original 1.3.9 database from before the upgrade?

I have the original files. I have a Zen-cart export of the database. I still don't have a clue what was originally installed nor what is right or wrong with the crazy site that is currently live.

If you do, drop all tables in the 1.5.4, import the 1.3.9 DB into the 1.5.4 database, then run the zcinstaller and process the DB upgrade. That will update your database from 1.3.9 to 1.5.4....

What STARTED this process was being told in this forum that I needed to HIRE someone to do that upgrade because the core files had been changed for security and the whole thing was going to be over my head. Now you tell me it's that simple?

REALLY?

now the only problem you are going to have is if when building out the 1.5.4 you ran sql files for addon modules, parts/pieces of them maybe present if those modules were installed in the 1.3.9 but if you try and run some of them again to put them in you will most likely run into mysql error for stuff already being present. That's a slightly harder nut to crack, as it requires knowledge of how to work in phpmyadmin to pull configs out of the configurations table based on the group_id, copy those out, and delete them, then you can run the sql file to add the newer version back in and you can then make any adjustments to setting from inside the admin based on what you copied out and set aside.....confused yet?

So far, it's been a case of post it, look test, find error, fix, post it, look, test, find error, fix and on ad nauseum. Guess what I've been doing for the last year?

It does take patience and attention to detail to not screw it up. but its the kind of thing I run into again and again while doing upgrades.
If you had started out correctly by doing the upgrade on the original database you would have been better off and would only have to copy over those customers and orders that were new since you started working on the upgrade.

So far, I've paid three different people FAR TOO MUCH MONEY to not only not be able to do that, but to so badly screw up that I've gone from 300 hits a day to 3. When I fired the third one, I took over and started learning this stuff myself. W3Schools has been most educational.

I have had to resort to doing EXACTLY what you tell me I'm supposed to do when I can't figure out what the original files all are. I'm THIS close to believing I'm done, until this. I was proud of me on Sunday, now I'm just thinking I'm as stupid as they come.

Like I said, I'd appreciate HELP... Not admonishment. I have lots of patience with this thing, it seems, until I humble myself enough to come in here and ask where one file call is hiding.

I'm really sorry if everyone thinks I'm doing this wrong, but since I've not got any more money to throw at it, this is me doing it.

Perhaps THIS should have been my original question.

Is ZenCart NEVER going to work if I simply propagate the database like it's a database or am I wasting my time even bothering to do this, because honestly, losing the database seriously isn't worth losing my mind. EVEN IF it's 11 years worth of data and clients.

[RodG]

Perhaps THIS should have been my original question.

Is ZenCart NEVER going to work if I simply propagate the database like it's a database or am I wasting my time even bothering to do this, because honestly, losing the database seriously isn't worth losing my mind. EVEN IF it's 11 years worth of data and clients.

The database is the single most precious aspect of a ZenCart installation. There is *always* a way to migrate the data from one Zen Version to another - And generally with ease. (Especially upgrading).

It is possible to do a (near) complete site restoration and/or upgrade based on nothing other than the database. I'd rather lose my mind than my database(s) :-)

Cheers
RodG

[RodG]

now the only problem you are going to have is if when building out the 1.5.4 you ran sql files for addon modules, parts/pieces of them maybe present if those modules were installed in the 1.3.9 but if you try and run some of them again to put them in you will most likely run into mysql error for stuff already being present. That's a slightly harder nut to crack, as it requires knowledge of how to work in phpmyadmin to pull configs out of the configurations table based on the group_id, copy those out, and delete them, then you can run the sql file to add the newer version back in and you can then make any adjustments to setting from inside the admin based on what you copied out and set aside.....confused yet?

I'm commenting to this mainly for the OP's attention.

Until I read this I'd never been confused about the process. <grin>

Furthermore, I can't think of a time or situation where I've ever had a need to follow your process of manually identifying and deleting group_ids. It is easier to execute any uninstall scripts first (if available), or to modify the install script(s) to skip the errors and/or keep the existing group_ids.

I'm sure the situation may arise (or has arisen) where manual intervention (direct DB manipulation) is needed, but most times it can be avoided.

There is nothing to 'fear' about a database. As long as you always have backup copies they are trivial to restore.

mysql errors for stuff already being present (when running sql install/upgrade scripts) can generally be ignored.

If/when you ever remove a zencart module/add-on you *don't* need to remove or revert any DB changes made by the module. They will cause no harm. In fact, it is the reverting of such changes that will often cause a problem as a consequence of an incomplete reversal of the *file* changes (or additions).

Making any DB changes via tools like phpmyadmin should be made with caution. Always backup first. Most folk doing nothing more than site upgrades/migration can do so without even touching the DB related tools such as this.

Cheers
RodG

[Pepperfire]

I'd like to thank everyone for their comments, most of which, I just skipped over, THOSE who actually helped though, now know who they are, they have been expressly thanked for their kindnesses.

Fwiw, and for the furtherance of the the original problem I came in here to fix. It has been fixed. Per https://www.zen-cart.com/member.php?120199-mc12345678 telling me that there was a log file I didn't know existed, I found the file call source error and replaced the file IT was asking for. Apparently, it used to be a pay to use module that has since become free. Which is why I couldn't find anything about it - nobody here troubleshoots paid files and what was here at ZC-forum pointed back to the developer where I found the file. Anyway, to resolve the problem, I simply added in the files for the CSS_JS_LOADER that the file was calling for and fixed a problem I didn't know I had. I have not reinstalled the files to find out whether or not that has fixed the Define Pages not saving problem.

I'm going to leave this thread with this comment, as it is important, I think.

It dawns on me, that every one of us does this in our own way. I'm self taught, I don't have the "education" that some of you do, and I'm a lot of a hack, but I'm a geek for clean code and look forward to the day when MY zencart is the cleanest code on the planet, but for now, I'm still a beginner. I appreciate the comments about the fact that I am doing this the hard way, I knew I was, although, I question the use of wording, ("wrong") some of you are coming across as a little less than respectful in the way you choose to "help". I do appreciate that help was your intent. But doing this the way I have been doing it is the only way sometimes.

That is not lost on me.

The problem is not that I am doing it "wrong", the problem is that I am doing it the hard way. I have been working with databases since before some of you people were born, and I appreciate your comments especially, @RodG, as I am of a mind when it comes to databases and data. My husband was willing to toss the db yesterday and start all over again from scratch.

That said, I have as a result of this, found someone who has graciously offered to help me take the original site to 1.54 level so that I can focus on moving forward more quickly.

I'm a hypersensitive individual, as I am sure other people on this planet are as well, and it would do all of us who are really into this thing called ZenCart to remember that when you are dealing with others, it is kind to be sensitive to the fact that they are not you and may appear to be doing it differently, but sometimes not doing it your way is indeed not the "wrong" way, although, I do agree it is the hard way. Anyway, just this thought to remind you that you get a lot more flies with honey than you do vinegar. And if indeed you LOVE zen they way that I have come to, then respect of other Zenners is PARAMOUNT to this forum being an effective place to get help and support.

That is all -- Be kind. It's not hard.

Thank you.