Contest System [support thread]

[skipwater]

Ive got this on 2 stores and the same thing has happened, it seems when the competition ends and is drawn it sets the dates to the year 2036 as when they were last updated.

There is something wrong with you install there should not be CONTEST HAS ENDED and below that, the Contest form.

As for the date:

You should enter it (mm/dd/yyyy)

Then if you want to display it differently change the 'Contest Date Display Format' admin->configuration->contest

When closing the contest only the contest table is updated with who won.

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[Tagyourbaby]

I have done all the files and followed instructions but its just not working, there isnt anything wrong with how i have installed it. Possible problem with the new zencart? I only say its not the install because its doing the exact same thing on both stores.

[DivaVocals]

I have done all the files and followed instructions but its just not working, there isnt anything wrong with how i have installed it. Possible problem with the new zencart? I only say its not the install because its doing the exact same thing on both stores.

It would help with a more detailed description on what is or is not happening to get a handle on where the problem might be..

[Tagyourbaby]

View my website you can see its still got the option to enter even when the competition is closed.

In the admin when i update for a new competition, its not updating the storefront because its stating the last time it was updated was mm/dd/2036 so its not updating the contest due to it thinking we are in year 2036 not 2010. Same thing happens on both my stores.

[skipwater]

I am at a loss why you can not go to admin->configuration->contest NOT admin->reports->Contest Prize Entries and edit the start date and end date for the contest.

And are you setting Contest Reference Code with a unique code for each contest?

If none of that helps this debug code might help to see whats with the date.

So I can see what the issue is you will need to add this debug code.
Find in this file /includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_contest_default.php
Around line 47

   if ($now >= $start_date && $now <= $close_date) {
    } else {
        $show_invite = false;
    } 

And change it to look like this.

   if ($now >= $start_date && $now <= $close_date) {
           // Debug see dates
           echo 'Server Date Now '.date("m/d/Y").'<br />';
           echo 'Start '.$start_date.' Close '.$close_date.' Now '.$now.' Contest is Active';
    } else {
           // Debug see dates
           echo 'Server Date Now '.date("m/d/Y").'<br />';
           echo 'Start '.$start_date.' Close '.$close_date.' Now '.$now.' Contest is Closed';
        $show_invite = false;
    } 

Now when you enter the contest you will get the time stamp info.
Example: Start 1285905600 Close 1287460800 Now 1286251200 Contest is Active
For the contest to be active now must be between start and close.

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[Tagyourbaby]

I am at a loss why you can not go to admin->configuration->contest NOT admin->reports->Contest Prize Entries and edit the start date and end date for the contest.

And are you setting Contest Reference Code with a unique code for each contest?

If none of that helps this debug code might help to see whats with the date.

So I can see what the issue is you will need to add this debug code.
Find in this file /includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_contest_default.php
Around line 47

   if ($now >= $start_date && $now <= $close_date) {
    } else {
        $show_invite = false;
    } 

And change it to look like this.

   if ($now >= $start_date && $now <= $close_date) {
           // Debug see dates
           echo 'Server Date Now '.date("m/d/Y").'<br />';
           echo 'Start '.$start_date.' Close '.$close_date.' Now '.$now.' Contest is Active';
    } else {
           // Debug see dates
           echo 'Server Date Now '.date("m/d/Y").'<br />';
           echo 'Start '.$start_date.' Close '.$close_date.' Now '.$now.' Contest is Closed';
        $show_invite = false;
    } 

Now when you enter the contest you will get the time stamp info.
Example: Start 1285905600 Close 1287460800 Now 1286251200 Contest is Active
For the contest to be active now must be between start and close.

Skip

I can go to the admin side and edit the dates but because it is saying last updated mm/dd/2036 it wont update the contest as the system is thinking its year 2036. Ill do a screen shot to show you and ill try that code and let you know.

[Tagyourbaby]

I got another competition going but when it ends the same problem will happen again...with the entry form underneath the "Contest Closed" how can this be fixed?

[skipwater]

I got another competition going but when it ends the same problem will happen again...with the entry form underneath the "Contest Closed" how can this be fixed?

Picture is worth 1000 words

See if this fixes your issue.

First thing backup your zencart database.
Use phpmyadmin open your zencart database locate the configuration table. Browse and find in the field configuration_key CONTEST_SHOW edit the date_added to at least the day before your contest started.

Let us know if that fixes it.

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[Jim21]

Contest app is a great app however I'm having a problem getting the entries to post. When posting a new contestant page simply refreshes and the contestant is not added. I've triple checked that all the files were properly installed. The sql install file ran fine with no errors. Also all the contest admin features are all working as they should. Any help is greatly appreciated. Running latest version of zencart with basic template..

[skipwater]

Contest app is a great app however I'm having a problem getting the entries to post. When posting a new contestant page simply refreshes and the contestant is not added. I've triple checked that all the files were properly installed. The sql install file ran fine with no errors. Also all the contest admin features are all working as they should. Any help is greatly appreciated. Running latest version of zencart with basic template..

If you leave the form blank and hit submit do you get the error messages?

Then if you just add a name to the name field that error clears and you are left with just two errors?

Are you running an seo mod on the site?

Skip