New and need installation assistance

[jewls634]

I have just downloaded Zen Cart. I unzpiied the files. I created a new folder in my file manager / public_html / ZenCart / but when I try to install/upload files it does not allow me to select the whole file. What am I doing wrong or not doing at all. My Computer runs Windows XP, my server is ShieldHost, my website is www.shortnsassyshopping.com

Thank You Julene

[fairestcape]

Your existing site is a collection of affiliate links. Do you intend to run your own online shop selling things? Or are you installing zencart to run your affiliate links website?

I don't know what you mean when you say: "when I try to install/upload files it does not allow me to select the whole file".

Why are you trying to "select" it? And where are you doing this "selection". Please explain a bit more as it's not clear what your problem is.

[jewls634]

Sorry, I am new to alot of this. I have my site set up for my affiliate links but I am trying to install the cart to sell my personal items under Handmade Items and Yard Sale items.

Once I unzipped the Zen Cart, it says to Upload the Zen Cart™ fileset to your webserver. Under Please select files to upload to /home/jewls634/public_html/ZenCart When I click on Browse, I go to the Zen Cart v1.3.8a Do I have do download each/all of the files.

Julene

[fairestcape]

Okay... so you're about to open up your first webshop - great... !

Zencart is perfect for this, but there are a few important things to learn along the way.

1. You have DOWNLOADED and UNZIPPED zencart on your home computer.

2. What FTP program are you using to send it to the server?

[jewls634]

Well...I guess that is where I am having the problem then :-) . I looked into my cPanel and went to the FTP Manager, but I do not see that I have an FTP Program.

[fairestcape]

Okay... so you really are a "newbie".

An FTP program is necessary for you to send the files from your home computer to the server.

Use GOOGLE to search for "Filezilla". This is a free FTP program. Download and install FILEZILLA on your home computer and read all you can about FTP...

You'll need FILEZILLA CLIENT

[jewls634]

Thank you for all your help, it is greately appreciated.

I am sure I will be back with more questions.

Julene

[fairestcape]

Julene...

You mentioned C-panel.

Do you have a folder called "fantastico" on your C-Panel?

If you do, it may have an auto-install for zencart. Check that the VERSION of zencart is 1.3.8.

If you use fantastico to install zencart, it will create your database for you.

Make sure you install it on a sub-directory of your site (because you already have a site in your root directory.)

Once you have installed zencart using fantastico, you can later find out what it named your database and the passwords it chose.

NB: Fantastico is NOT the best way to install zencart, but if you put it in a sub-directory, you can use this installation to LEARN MORE about zencart and how to configure your shop.

This will take a bit of time, but as a complete NEWBIE, it's a good idea to set up a test shop first, in order to learn.

If you inflict an imperfect webshop on customers, they will probably NOT shop with you - so be patient and go through the learning curve...

[misty]

Using Fantastico to install TEST zencart is fine.
Using Fantastico to install live zencart is not.
You will experience troubles later on down
the road if you do.

[fairestcape]

Thanks Misty... I did not make myself clear enough about NOT using a fantastico install on a working shop.

Pay attention to this, Julene. Use a fantastico install ONLY for a text shop.

While you are learning, you will have more time to explore how FTP works as well - along with many other features.

The forum is very helpful... most of what I learned came out of it!