Install not starting from zc_install

version 1.3.8a
h-sphere
host: steadfast networks shared hosting

Problem: cannot get install to start

Background: followed instructions on installing very closely. When I go to my URL, the install program does not start as stated in the instructions.

What I have done:
Talked with host tech support- they pointed out that there are no .php files in either the root installation folder or /zc_install.

I checked the distribution zip file and I don't see index.php in either the root or in zc_install. Is it supposed to be there? Ifnot, is it created somehow during pre-install steps?

Thanks from a needy newbie,
Owen

Yes, there should be an index.php in the root directory and in zc_install. Are you sure you downloaded the full Zencart file set, and not one of the upgrades?

Yes, I downloaded:
zen-cart-v1.3.8a-full-fileset-12112007.zip

Perhaps the download was bad? seems unlikely. But knowing that there should be an index.php in the root and zc_install directories before I FTP the files over helps, because they are not there in my original download.

Also just downloaded:
zen-cart-v1.3.8-full-fileset-12112007.zip

without the 'a' appended to the version. In that zip, the index files are present. So, I guess I will delete the other install and use the 1.3.8 version. I do wonder why the index.php files are not present in 1.3.8a- perhaps it was a bad download. I will download it again and see if all the files are there.

OK- I re-downloaded and the files are there in v1.3.8a- somehow in the previous download they were lost. Thanks for your reply stevesh it was very useful to know those files were supposed to be there. This thread can be closed.