CSI/Linkpoint: transaction failure

[cudaboy71]

i recently moved to host-99 (a zencart recommended host) because godaddy would not support cardservice international. host-99 have verified for me that the proper ports are open.

my site is running the most current rev of zc, the current rev of linkpoint-API, and all is configured (the best i can tell) appropriately:

unpacked the linkpoint-api module to the proper locations, inserted the CSI PEM into the proper directory, filled out my merchant account in the admin screen of the module, set the module to 'production' and set to 'authorize only' (for testing purposes).

i even turned error logging on in the module, but no error logs were created.

using my own personal, and working U.S. mastercard with proper name, number, expiration and CVV i consistently get the following error message:

"The credit card number starting with 5424 was not entered correctly, or we do not accept that kind of card. Please try again or use another credit card.[linkpoint_api]"

does anyone have any ideas? host-99 is stumped and said to try posting here.

[Merlinpa1969]

its communicating with linkpoint,
are you adding the dashes in the number?
try it with no dashes

[cudaboy71]

no, not using any dashes. i also tried another personal card (visa) with the same results.

[cudaboy71]

i just decided to try reinstalling the linkpoint-api and ran across something confusing:

in admin when configuring the payment module, the text in the setup says "enter your merchant ID" but, the form placeholder text says "enter your PEM number".

i don't know which it is supposed to be, but i tried both and neither work.

[Merlinpa1969]

your merchant id number and pem number are the same

[cudaboy71]

your merchant id number and pem number are the same

no, they're not. not according to CSI anyway. i'm holding a piece of their letterhead in my hand as i type:

my "merchant number" is xxxxxxxxxxxx
and my "pem number" (AKA FDIS number or store ID) is xxxxxxx

and no part of either of those keys is inclusive of the other. moot point though, as i said i tried both numbers and neither works.