Many questions - new to Zen Cart

ok guys, I just switched from oscommerce (after 6 weeks of trying to make it work for me arrrrrgggggg) to Zen Cart and I have many questions. But i will ask one at a time so as not to get myself confuzzled.
Please feel free to move this thread if I am in the wrong one.
new install with 1.38a
only mod is easy_populate_csv_1-2-5-6-csv-2
Hosting with HostGator

First I would like to report that so far I am please as punch with Zen Cart. Man what a difference between Zen and oscommerce. You guys did a great job building this program.

1. Is it better to backup/restore my database utilizing the backup system in my cpanel or use PHPMyAdmin? I did a backup with PHPMyAdmin yesterday which worked fine but when I did a restore it messed up because I got a "could not connect to database" error when I tried to go into my Zen admin panel on my website. and my site didn't work either. So in a fit of rage I uninstalled Zen Cart thru fantastico (which I had used to install 1.38a) I am used to fits of rage with OsCommerce lol

Now I am not sure which is the best way to backup/restore.
I did, however, find backup_mysql_plugin_v1-3 addon that does backups, but I read his documentation and it says nothing about restoring, only backing up. So I am not sure if it does restores.

TIA for any help/suggestions
John Milliron
www.JohnsSuperStore.com

I backup the dbase several ways - including using the "export" feature in phpMyAdmin. Whatever way you choose, it's good that you are aware of the importance of this.

Also, my host service does daily backups of everything (for a nominal $2 / month).

For the FILES (code), I keep a full copy of my customizations on a local machine. When I create a modified file, I do it FIRST on my local drive, and THEN ftp it to the server. In this way, I always have a copy of the file on my local machine.

I am more concerned about restoring as I am about backing up. A backup is useless if it doesn't restore properly.
Know what I mean Vern? lol

John

Q. Is it better to backup/restore my database utilizing the backup system in my cpanel or use PHPMyAdmin?

A. Use whichever one you want for the "database" as they should both do the job correctly.

Backing up the files themselves should not be a problem... because you should be editting the files on your computer then uploading. That would mean you always have a correct & accurate backup of the files in case you need them.

I would also suggest you manually install Zen Cart -- or any script for that matter -- as Fantastico or other type 'one click' install feature should only be used for Testing a script. If you like the script, use Fantastico or whatever 'one click' method was used, to uninstall the script. Then install manually for best results and to make sure you are using the most current version of the script.

personally i would download zencart form the site and install it your self i have 2 hosts one with cpanel and one with plesk .. on the plesk server i manually installed the right way and i haven't had a problems yet ( i always try to crash a new software im testing out)

but on the server with cpanel where i installed via fantisco i have been able to crash it and i to have difficulties restoring. so i assume the host that adds zen-cart to the fantisco is adding some of their own code ( probably to put a powered by link somewhere) is causing an error

not only that if your thinking of adding mods doing configuration or applying a new style its just good practice to get the source from the makers that way you know you have the same version as the developer of the mod you want

cwusa:

personally i would download zencart form the site and install it your self i have 2 hosts one with cpanel and one with plesk .. on the plesk server i manually installed the right way and i haven't had a problems yet ( i always try to crash a new software im testing out)

but on the server with cpanel where i installed via fantisco i have been able to crash it and i to have difficulties restoring. so i assume the host that adds zen-cart to the fantisco is adding some of their own code ( probably to put a powered by link somewhere) is causing an error

not only that if your thinking of adding mods doing configuration or applying a new style its just good practice to get the source from the makers that way you know you have the same version as the developer of the mod you want

I agree totally now that I removed the fantastico installation and installed ZC manually. There is alot to learn just by installing manually.
thanks for the tip
John

If you backup with phpadmin and then reinstall the site you should just go to the new zen cart database and drop all the tables and import your database on top of it.

Dont try to do this until you have installed zen cart and then then drop the tables onto the Zen database (not a blank one) or it wont connect obviously.

Youve got to drop all the tables, not empty them