database upload

Ok I an still very new to this
I have been working on my products and have a section conpleted and will upload as I need to update.
This is my second upload and my first without assistance. I think I blew it .
Am getting this error and dont know what it means. I have about 101 kit that should be listed in the kit section.

Warning: The downloadable products directory does not exist: /home6/stitchnf/public_html/snfcart/download/. Downloadable products will not work until this directory is valid.

www.stitchnframeonline....com/snfcart

Suggestions?

OK
Evidently there was a file missing and that was fixed by my Server. however, The Database is not uploading without some jacking around by my server. I have the Q? to them as to why and have not gotten a answer yet. I would think I could upload my revised database everyday if I wanted to -Correct?

My Q?
I am using the tutorial on 'how can i do a databse-backup with phpmyadnmin' as a guide.
I this the correct procedure to do a database upload over a prevouisly upload database.

TIA

It is not at all clear as to what you are trying to achieve...

I take it that you are selling "virtual" products (software downloads)?

Is that right?

And you now want to UPLOAD a whole lot of these "products" to the server?

If this is what you are referring to then the database does not enter into the picture. What are you trying to do with the database?

The ERROR you report says that a folder called "download" is not present. This has absolutely nothing to do with the database. It is a FOLDER (directory) in your root installation, that is being reported as not being there - in your case in public_html/snfcart/download

Hi Schoolboy

Hea that is confusing for me too
No I am not selling downloadables at all - But my sever said I need this file and it was not there so they add an empty file.

Then I tried to upload my DB using the directions in the tutoral listed above and it gave me an error saying that the address_book was already there and could not create another. Being that the adress_book is the first 'file' in the database I could see there was going to be a problem with all the other preexisting 'files' down the row.

So I contacted my Server and they uploaded my DB for me and said that would work IF that is all I needed to upload.

i contacted them again and informed them that I would be uploading the DB on a regular basis and I thought I should be able to do that.

BUT i a hoping I am uploading the DB correctly to take that vairiable out of the mix of issues.

Hmmm... I recall being in touch with you some months ago... I put up a quick demo site for you here. Is that right?

You have other problems on your site right now... a file has been corrupted and i am not seeing the Procuct Info pages. The html is being TRUNCATED and the product info page is not showing.

Hi Schoolboy
Yes your did an you have been great along with everyone else- that was a help to see if I wanted to invest the time which of course I did-

Sorry about that - newbie thinking here - I thought that why try and fix one problem and then create another - I have my cart is a subdirectory which will need to up a level. And my images are not showing along with the DB issue
SO tried to move my cart up a level and my server suggested I reload as opposed to just moving - SOOOO
since I am on Dialup. that is what is going on right now.

Ok so that did not work I am still at the subdirectory. Had the same configuration problems as I had before and could not get them straightened out at that time so I changed everyhting back!

I think you are a bit confused about the database... Firstly, you only every "upload" it ONCE.

After the database is created you basically leave it alone (unless you are skilled at MySQL and you are tinkering about with it for a specific reason.)

But don't fiddle with the database. Once it is installed for the first time, you leave it alone.

What you are probably referring to is getting DATA into the database, and this is a different issue.

If you are trying to load Product Data, you can either do this manually via the admin console Product Edit/Add screen, or you can use a program like Easy Populate if you have a lot of products - and I recall you having a LOT of products!

See my WIKI on E.P here:
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Easy_Populate

Hi there Thanks for all your thoughts-
Hmmm
OK
Yes I will be adding to my base over the next year - MY thoughts were that I could work on my zencart that is located on my computer and then when a section is done I can upload it to the site - and of course I was think ing that it was done via the DB.
I was doing this thru the Admin part of my computer cart. I would also have 2 working copies of my cart without adding the product twice.

And since I am on DU I thougt I could do this leisurely and inbetween customers.

you are right(as always)I guess I am confused on this.

I see what you are saying... you do all the work on your local machine, then periodically "replace" the remote server install with the stuff on your local drive...

On a superficial level this may seem logical, but there is a lot of activity on the LIVE (remote) server that is not going to be evident on your LOCAL machine. (customer activity in particular!!!)

If you take the database off your local machine and overwrite the database on the server, you effectively DELETE everything that relates to customers, purchases, tracking...

I know you are on DU because broadband is not available to you (which for the USA is surprising), but managing your store in this way is not a good idea at all.

Oh golly I forgot about all the customer data!! Great Point - that is no good!!!

OK newbie thinking again-
Can I just upload the 'files' within the database that are effected by the addition of new product? Such as product_id and products and such? Everyone talks about Easy populate but that seems like another issue that will need to dive into that would delay the addition of product???

I think you can see I am just not quite grasping this as of yet!

If you are just wanting to update new Categories/Products then EasyPopulate would solve a lot your problems and is worth the time to learn it. Start with the free version if you wish but I do recommend the pay for version as it is much better.

stitchnkitty:

Everyone talks about Easy populate but that seems like another issue that will need to dive into that would delay the addition of product???

Read my WIKI tutorial...
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Easy_Populate

OK I sure will - one more Q? I was think while driving in -
Would it be easy to put into easy populate and then upload to both the computer cart and then to the website cart ? I know it seem redundant but it really handy to have the updated site on the computer when a customer calls in with Q?

As long as you realize both databases are not identical, except perhaps for Products listings and descriptions. Your online database will contain much more information than the one on your computer.

With having to use Dialup, I understand why you are doing things this way and, although it may seem easier, you may not be able to answer questions based on a particular Client's recent Order. For that you would need the online database.

Website Rob:

With having to use Dialup, I understand why you are doing things this way ....

... I'm confused...

You're located in Urbandale, Des Moines

There's PLENTY of broadband around there!

AT&T Map

Sprint Map

c,mon ladies... get onto broadband and do this properly. You have great products, a wide market and excellent potential. Why are you wasting time on this?

stitchnkitty:

since I am on Dialup.
I'm just going by what was previously mentioned.

Website Rob:

I'm just going by what was previously mentioned.

So was I Rob... the observation was not aimed at your comment - I have made the same remark earlier.

As I played an earlier role in introducing the OP to Zencart, I felt it would be helpful if I did a quick check on the availability of Broadband in their geo area...

... and it looks like this area is awash with broadband.

Sure... if you're located at Rattlesnake Gulch in the middle of the Mojave - where communication is largely by cleft stick - then broadband is an issue.

But when it's available, what's the reason not to use it - if you are running a serious online business its probably essential.

I know a guy in the Zambezi River Valley in Zambia, who pays $500 a MONTH for a special satellite link up, to run his webshop...