ERROR: date.timezone not set in php.ini

Hi, I am trying to install zen-cart-v1.3.9h-full-fileset-10262010.
Once uploaded to my server I attempt to install but get stuck with the following message.
ERROR: date.timezone not set in php.ini. Please contact your hosting company to set the timezone in the server PHP configuration before continuing.
I have altered the php.ini to show my time zone and restarted apache2. that did nothing.
I then uncommented the
; date.timezone = Europe/London
I then tried moving the line to the top of the Date config section.
All whilst restarting apache afterwards.
But guess what
It just wont work.
I run a ubuntu server 10.10 with apache2 and php5.
and now I think It's time to give up.
I checked the apache site and the php site for fixes, but nothing worked. Has anyone come across this problem before.?
Thanks, any help would be great:censored:

If you search the forums for date.timezone not set you'll find several threads describing the same problem. One might contain a solution.

You might have a good find here

Also try to raise awereness I spent 2 hours on this before comming up with a solution... Others have spent more... :/

robert

Hi, I am having just the same issue but just don´t seem to get the right solution.

@stevesh would it be too much asking a more concrete thread when you mention search for "date.timezone"

Thanks all very much.

Someone hijacked a two-year old thread. Scroll down the page to similar threads. Those may help. It may also be a language file problem if it works in English and not Spanish.

@samanthahq, have you talked to your hosting company? It's the webserver's PHP configuration that's incomplete, and the hosting company is in charge of the PHP configuration, so they're best equipped to address the problem. (that's largely why the same is mentioned in the error message text)

I am trying to install v 1.5.1 and got this error today....it looks as if there was never a definitive answer, is there? I know some of you may understand, but sitting here looking for the answer to ONE question for hours on end is such a problem. I am tired, my eyes hurt, and all I see is complaint, after complaint, but no answers. I really want to use this product, but....if I can't get it installed, where do I go from here? I asked my host for assistance, and their response was I had to do it myself.

their response:
Vinod B: Steps to set the time zone for php application in php.ini
Vinod B: 1. create file timezone.php
Vinod B: <? Vinod B: date_default_timezone_set ( "Asia/Manila" ) Vinod B: ?>
Vinod B: 2. Then in php.ini
Vinod B: auto_prepend_file
Vinod B: /home/xxxx/timezone.php
Vinod B: Example:
Vinod B: auto_prepend_file = /home/users/web/b2689/moo.indy2k11/timezone.php

My response what??????
I wish the person who mentioned they spent 2 hours on this before coming up with a solution would share that very same solution. I just want to move on with this already...please HELP REALLY HELP REAL HELP IS NEEDED HERE HELP I am begging!

Did you ask your host (assuming that's who "Vinod B" is) where your php.ini is supposed to go on your server? Only your hosting company can tell you where that file ought to be placed.

After you have that piece of information, then you can work on putting the correct contents into it. They showed you one option, but there is probably another easier one. But without you first knowing from them what folder your php.ini file MUST be placed in, there's no point in us offering further info, since it's your host's server configuration that's at fault. (ie: your host's server doesn't have a timezone set into PHP !!!!!!! )

DrByte:

Did you ask your host (assuming that's who "Vinod B" is) where your php.ini is supposed to go on your server? Only your hosting company can tell you where that file ought to be placed.

After you have that piece of information, then you can work on putting the correct contents into it. They showed you one option, but there is probably another easier one. But without you first knowing from them what folder your php.ini file MUST be placed in, there's no point in us offering further info, since it's your host's server configuration that's at fault. (ie: your host's server doesn't have a timezone set into PHP !!!!!!! )

yes I know where the php.ini file is located...I just don't know what in there I am supposed to change etc.

If it's a complete file, there will already be a line saying:```
date.timezone=America/New_York

But, since yours is apparently missing it (else the error message wouldn't appear), that line must be missing or has a comment symbol before it to disable it.

So ... add that line to yours. Set to your correct timezone.

More information at <http://www.php.net/manual/en/timezones.php>

DrByte:

If it's a complete file, there will already be a line saying:```
date.timezone=America/New_York

> But, since yours is apparently missing it (else the error message wouldn't appear), that line must be missing or has a comment symbol before it to disable it.
> 
> So ... add that line to yours. Set to your correct timezone.
> 
> More information at <http://www.php.net/manual/en/timezones.php>

Thank you so much for your help....nothing is working....I finally got the host to go in a fix it, she set it to EST which of course does not work.  so I give up, at least for tonight.  I hate to lose, but I think I just lost....I give

I suppose the first question I'd be asking the host is ... why doesn't the server's master php.ini file have the date.timezone already set in it?

Really, the only time you should have to even think about it is if you are actually in a different timezone and wanted it to reflect that. But at least that would be an optional thing you could do later.

The whole reason for the warning being present at install time is this very issue: there's no point trying to run it on a server that's ill-equipped to do so. Best to find a server that's properly configured.

DrByte:

I suppose the first question I'd be asking the host is ... why doesn't the server's master php.ini file have the date.timezone already set in it?

Really, the only time you should have to even think about it is if you are actually in a different timezone and wanted it to reflect that. But at least that would be an optional thing you could do later.

The whole reason for the warning being present at install time is this very issue: there's no point trying to run it on a server that's ill-equipped to do so. Best to find a server that's properly configured.

Yes i was looking at bluehost, but they said I would have to configure this as well.....I have never had this problem with zencart before. I used it in the past on several different accounts...I am so upset right now. If I had known things would get this difficult I would have not taken this on at all. None of it is making sense to me, I have changed that at least 15 times with the same error a constant. I have dumped my cache I have shut down my computer, I have done everything I can think to do......Powweb is no help so I have to shut down that account and find a better host.....{SHRUGS}

I would imagine it would be quite simple with Bluehost.

DrByte:

If it's a complete file, there will already be a line saying:```
date.timezone=America/New_York

It really works!!!