Test site - sandbox not working!!!

Help! :flex:

I've got a site and it worked perfectly when I was running it in sandbox mode. Now it's gone live and it works perfectly in full blown 'proper' mode!

Now I'm doing a bit of development and have set up a test site. I copied the original site and exported the database and reimported it with new table names (same database) and I've changed the config.php files (admin and 'normal') to point to the new areas and use the new table prefixes (zctest_ instead of zc_).

Now I've turned sandbox on again in the test site (admin says it's turned on!) but when I head towads checkout it isn't showing the sandbox stuff.

What have I missed? It must be obvious! Where does ZC store its Paypal stuff?

The annoying thing is that the changes I've made are probably fine (installed another 'add on') but I can't make it live until I've tested it!

With PayPal, you can always test it live and just do a refund. The sandbox test is largely unnecessary most of the time.

As for your sandbox problems, I suspect you've not entered your sandbox API credentials when switching to sandbox mode. The live and sandbox API details are different, and you must manually update those if you're changing modes.

I perhaps should mention that my skill level for computers, internet and so on, is high (except for Zen Cart) and that I re-uploaded the existing base system rather than reinstall and start again. Maybe that was my problem? If you think so then please let me know what file(s) would have gone wrong!

To DrByte,

Thanks for that thought on using the live mode and processing a refund but it annoys me that sandbox isn't working!

I have indeed entered all the sandbox credentials for paypal but wow! What a fast response!!!

trentham:

I re-uploaded the existing base system rather than reinstall and start again. Maybe that was my problem? If you think so then please let me know what file(s) would have gone wrong!FAQ articles on test sites and moving between servers:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=99
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=100

But, if you're able to add things to your cart and you're able to get into your admin, then it's likely just your PayPal settings that are your problem in the current situation.

It'd be a good idea to read those FAQs and related topics for future use.

trentham:

when I head towads checkout it isn't showing the sandbox stuff.
What do you mean?

DrByte:

What do you mean?

When I went to Paypal checkout originally (i.e. when I was first testing in sandbox mode) it came up with a screen with a 'sandbox mode' watermark-type background and I expected a URL pointing to developer or somesuch.

Now I stick stuff in the cart and click on checkout with Paypal and get to https://www.paypal.com/..... That's not what I expected!

I expected it to say I should be logged into my paypal test account and, when I am, to show the sandbox screens!