Why isn't me database populating my Admin pages?

I explained in a previous thread that I am creating a new Zen Cart site and importing some files into the new site. I have installed a database in phpMyAdmin and added the database information in the two configure files at set up. The database contains all the settings, preferences, customer info, etc. that should display in the Admin pages. So, any ideas? I double-check the database information in the configure files but I have no idea how to check to see if there is a connection. I didn't get any alert at set up that the database info was incorrect.

Also, what files on the old site might this information be in?

Thanks!

Is it a zencart database... or one you just set up yourself?

Well, I am not familiar with Zen Cart. I transferred the db from another server and then changed the db info in the 2 configure files (includes/configure.php and admin/includes/configure.php). Am I missing some steps?

But is it a MYSQL database that was originally populated by the Zencart installation process?

Yes, it's a mySQL database. Maybe I should be asking these questions:

Does the database populate the Admin area? For example, if I have a database with 600 customers and I set up Zen Cart, provide the db login info in the configure files and then installing Zen Cart, will the customers show up in the Admin area?

How can I confirm a connection to the database?

Also, if someone with expert can briefly explain how Zen cart connects with the database on the server, that may be very helpful. What are the files that are used and where are they?

The database HAS to be specific to Zencart... The TABLES and FIELDS in the database MUST BE those that the zencart PHP code recognises and interface with.

You will have to:

1. set up a completely NEW, EMPTY database.

2. Run a proper INSTALLATION of zencart, telling it to "populate" that new database with the correct tables and fields. (It will do this automatically during the install)

3. Extract the data from your ORIGINAL database, and then start to work out ways in which to get the data from this original database, into the zencart database...

... it is not necessarily a simple process, I'm sad to say... and much will depend on WHAT data you want in your zencart database.

Schoolboy,

I think we may be on to something. I exported the original db and saved it as a sql file. When I created a new zen cart site the first time, I created AND populated the db first before installing the zen cart. That may have been the problem.

So, now I created an empty db (per your instruction) and then created and installed a zen cart site. The original db has the same tables and fields, except it has 6 more tables.

After configuring the files and installing the zen cart, I tried to import the original database into the newly created zen cart db but got an error. I assumed that just importing the db would work and also create the extra tables. Wrong!

So, I am back to the original db and exporting each table separately so I can make sure that the tables names and fields match exactly. (I didn't know at first what you meant about carefully importing data but now I know). Regarding the extra tables, I will figure that out when I come to it (maybe another post later today).

I hope this all works. It's makes more sense to me. Thanks for your help, it is GREATLY appreciated!