Image Handler 4 (for v1.5.x) Support Thread

[EdsGoodStuff]

Using Zen Cart 1.5.1 and IH 4. Want to know if I can safely delete the FOLDERS in the bmz_cache folder. I did apply "clear image cache" under Image Handler/Admin Tools but this does not erase the bmz_cache images. From what I have read it's OK to delete the images in the bmz_cache folders but it would save me time if I can delete the folders all at once. The reason I need to do this is because just got a warning from my ISP that I am violating terms of service and my store be suspended if I don't fix the issue: "the following directories have exceed the maximum 1,024 file/folder count"

"Your xxxnamexxx website currently has an improperly configured directory structure. More specifically, the following directories have exceed the maximum 1,024 file/folder count:

1024 Violating Folders:2025

./html/xxxxxxx/bmz_cache/8
1963 ./html/xxxxxxx/bmz_cache/1
1979 ./html/xxxxxxx/bmz_cache/a
etc, etc,

So I would be deleting folders "1", "a", and about 11 others.

Will folders be automatically added again as needed and is there a way to prevent this from happening again? Can I limit the amount of files in each folder to 1000 and if so how do I do this? Or do I just need to clear out the bmz_cache manually on a weekly basis to be safe? I believe a Cron job can be created to take care of this- haven't ever used Cron before so if someone can provide the info on how to do this and specifically what command to use it would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ed

[DivaVocals]

Using Zen Cart 1.5.1 and IH 4. Want to know if I can safely delete the FOLDERS in the bmz_cache folder. I did apply "clear image cache" under Image Handler/Admin Tools but this does not erase the bmz_cache images. From what I have read it's OK to delete the images in the bmz_cache folders but it would save me time if I can delete the folders all at once. The reason I need to do this is because just got a warning from my ISP that I am violating terms of service and my store be suspended if I don't fix the issue: "the following directories have exceed the maximum 1,024 file/folder count"

"Your xxxnamexxx website currently has an improperly configured directory structure. More specifically, the following directories have exceed the maximum 1,024 file/folder count:

1024 Violating Folders:2025

./html/xxxxxxx/bmz_cache/8
1963 ./html/xxxxxxx/bmz_cache/1
1979 ./html/xxxxxxx/bmz_cache/a
etc, etc,

So I would be deleting folders "1", "a", and about 11 others.

Will folders be automatically added again as needed and is there a way to prevent this from happening again? Can I limit the amount of files in each folder to 1000 and if so how do I do this? Or do I just need to clear out the bmz_cache manually on a weekly basis to be safe? I believe a Cron job can be created to take care of this- haven't ever used Cron before so if someone can provide the info on how to do this and specifically what command to use it would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ed

the files and folders in the bmz_cache folder can be safely deleted and they will be recreated again.. This is the way IH4 works (always has) and you cannot "prevent" this without removing the primary functionality of IH4 (optimizing your product and category images). Sounds like you must have a LOT of product/category images to begin with. You can look at trying to reduce that number (which would in turn reduce the number of cached images crated by IH4) or the real LONG TERM solution for you is to either talk to your host about increasing your hosting limits (better plan) or find a host which doesn't place this kind of limit on your hosting account.

[EdsGoodStuff]

Thanks for the quick response DivaVocals. Already took the safe route and just deleted most of the images in the folders but next time will delete the folders. That will save a lot of time.

Yes have about 2000 products currently and some of them have 5 images each. And a lot of Categories too.

The host is the one that begins with G and ends with Y- this is my first shop and am on a budget. I know some people here dislike them for various reasons but haven't had any problems up until now. The only reason I found out about this issue is because my Disc Space Usage stats started showing up as 0MB Used in their control panel last month, previously had been showing correct info. So had no idea how much space my files were taking up. I contacted support twice with no solutions, then had them escalate the ticket, and today was told the issue was being caused by the bmz_cache folders having more then 1024 files in them. The way they let me know was by sending a violation warning and telling me I would be suspended if I don't fix it, not the best way to handle it in my opinion. My stats still show 0 MB used but hopefully will be corrected soon.

The issue with hosting service is not the overall amount of files but the number of files in each folder. I have heard about this before- remember reading that if you put more than a certain amount of files in each folder this can slow things down. But also think I read somewhere in the Zen Cart forums that you can have as many images as you want in the Image folder and it won't slow things down on the server side.

Does anyone know which is correct? Is the 1024 file/folder limit a real or made up issue? Also any other suggestions on the best way to work around this would be appreciated.

[DivaVocals]

Thanks for the quick response DivaVocals. Already took the safe route and just deleted most of the images in the folders but next time will delete the folders. That will save a lot of time.

Yes have about 2000 products currently and some of them have 5 images each. And a lot of Categories too.

The host is the one that begins with G and ends with Y- this is my first shop and am on a budget. I know some people here dislike them for various reasons but haven't had any problems up until now. The only reason I found out about this issue is because my Disc Space Usage stats started showing up as 0MB Used in their control panel last month, previously had been showing correct info. So had no idea how much space my files were taking up. I contacted support twice with no solutions, then had them escalate the ticket, and today was told the issue was being caused by the bmz_cache folders having more then 1024 files in them. The way they let me know was by sending a violation warning and telling me I would be suspended if I don't fix it, not the best way to handle it in my opinion. My stats still show 0 MB used but hopefully will be corrected soon.

The issue with hosting service is not the overall amount of files but the number of files in each folder. I have heard about this before- remember reading that if you put more than a certain amount of files in each folder this can slow things down. But also think I read somewhere in the Zen Cart forums that you can have as many images as you want in the Image folder and it won't slow things down on the server side.

Does anyone know which is correct? Is the 1024 file/folder limit a real or made up issue? Also any other suggestions on the best way to work around this would be appreciated.

Clearly the 1024 file/folder limit is one GoDaddy imposed upon you, and it's not a made up issue as you can see as you are now dealing with the consequences of this limit..

I realize that you are on a budget, but if your BUSINESS is hosted on an inadequate web host, then you are putting that BUSINESS in jeopardy. There are PLENTY of budget friendly hosting providers out there which will provide you with better hosting services (Blue Host, HostGator among others). If you MUST stay with GoDaddy and you are using their low -end budget plan, then you need to upgrade it. Honestly, THAT is the RIGHT long term solution..

[EdsGoodStuff]

Thanks again for the reply. I only signed up for one year plan with them. From what I have read in the forums getting good web hosting for Zen Cart is a moving target, so a good host might go downhill quickly and I assume it's also possible to get a decent product from some of the hosts that aren't so popular here. This is the first issue I had with them and it's been sorted out reasonably quickly, at least I hope so.

I have heard of the other two hosts you mentioned and am going to look into them.

The interesting thing is I checked the Service Agreement they referenced and don't seem to see anything about the 1024 file/folder limit per folder. There is a lot of text so it's possible I could have missed it though.

[DivaVocals]

Thanks again for the reply. I only signed up for one year plan with them. From what I have read in the forums getting good web hosting for Zen Cart is a moving target, so a good host might go downhill quickly and I assume it's also possible to get a decent product from some of the hosts that aren't so popular here. This is the first issue I had with them and it's been sorted out reasonably quickly, at least I hope so.

I have heard of the other two hosts you mentioned and am going to look into them.

The interesting thing is I checked the Service Agreement they referenced and don't seem to see anything about the 1024 file/folder limit per folder. There is a lot of text so it's possible I could have missed it though.

I don't know what you "read in the forums" or what you mean by "getting good web hosting for Zen Cart is a moving target". This doesn't ring true to me especially since there are THOUSANDS of Zen Cart stores out there who do not have issues with the configurations of their web site hosting account which would preclude them from using IH4 and it's optimizing/caching features.. Speaking from my own experience, my clients have been in business for 5 years or more and none of them had to change hosts because "getting good web hosting for Zen Cart is a moving target". In fact with the exception of one client -- who only changed hosts because his old webhost was a former friend who forced him to change hosts for PERSONAL reasons-- all of my clients have been with the same webhost for the entire time they have been in business.. they aren't using GoDaddy and they don't have the file/folder limits GoDaddy put on your account.

That said, this line of discussion is off-topic for this support thread, so let me wrap up with this thought. Hosting with a hosting company who has imposed limits which are in opposition to the configuration of your site should be an incentive for you to either upgrade your hosting plan (especially if you are using GoDaddy's "Economy" plan -- which I suspect you are based on your previous posts) or move to a host which will not place restrictions that negatively impact your business.

[uswebworx]

All I will say is the big name web host companies are all the same and this isn't a shameless plug for mine. If they are on the 1st page of Google they probably suck

[NWCE]

Hi,

I have installed image handler and all is working great. I have the zoom on hover working perfectly on the items that I want it to except for the additional images....you still have to click to enlarge as seen here http://www.nitwitcollections.com/sho...oducts_id=1180. As you will see at the bottom of this product page, the zoom works well on the "co-ordinating products" and "also purchased", but not for the additional images just under the main image.

I have uploaded the additional images using the IH Manager and uploaded the _LRG format in the default field as per the Usage Instructions and have this _LRG file placed in the images/large and images folders in my cart. Is there an image size value that I need to change in Admin->Config->Images in order get these to zoom on hover?

Thanks in advance for your response,
Jeff

[NWCE]

Hi,

I have installed image handler and all is working great. I have the zoom on hover working perfectly on the items that I want it to except for the additional images....you still have to click to enlarge as seen here http://www.nitwitcollections.com/sho...oducts_id=1180. As you will see at the bottom of this product page, the zoom works well on the "co-ordinating products" and "also purchased", but not for the additional images just under the main image.

I have uploaded the additional images using the IH Manager and uploaded the _LRG format in the default field as per the Usage Instructions and have this _LRG file placed in the images/large and images folders in my cart. Is there an image size value that I need to change in Admin->Config->Images in order get these to zoom on hover?

Thanks in advance for your response,
Jeff

In working on this once again (once taking a break) I have answered my own question, and now have it working. It was my main image name that was throwing everything off, in that I was using the _LRG image file and name, placed in the images folder. Once I took out the _LRG prefix, it now works perfectly.

I Hope that this may help someone else if they have the same error they have committed!!

Jeff

[DivaVocals]

Hi,

I have installed image handler and all is working great. I have the zoom on hover working perfectly on the items that I want it to except for the additional images....you still have to click to enlarge as seen here http://www.nitwitcollections.com/sho...oducts_id=1180. As you will see at the bottom of this product page, the zoom works well on the "co-ordinating products" and "also purchased", but not for the additional images just under the main image.

I have uploaded the additional images using the IH Manager and uploaded the _LRG format in the default field as per the Usage Instructions and have this _LRG file placed in the images/large and images folders in my cart. Is there an image size value that I need to change in Admin->Config->Images in order get these to zoom on hover?

Thanks in advance for your response,
Jeff

In working on this once again (once taking a break) I have answered my own question, and now have it working. It was my main image name that was throwing everything off, in that I was using the _LRG image file and name, placed in the images folder. Once I took out the _LRG prefix, it now works perfectly.

I Hope that this may help someone else if they have the same error they have committed!!

Jeff

That's because NOWHERE in the readme do we include any instructions to upload "the _LRG format in the default field".