How do I backup my site/template before I customize it?

I am using 1.3.9h. I am trying to change the template. Before I make changes, I would like to save the site as it is now in case I screw up the changes. Instructions read: NOTE: Always backup the files in /languages/english/html_includes/your_template

My problem is I don't know where to find /languages/english/html_includes/your_template

There are several other things I need to change, but all of the explanations are very similar to the above and I don't know where to go to start looking for these things.

I am sure once I get directions, the problem is simple, but I can't find the starting place. Any help would be appreciated.

You would use your FTP program to download files to your local computer so you can edit them. Many here save copies of edited files on their local computer before uploading to the server, so we always have copies of changed files with the most current changes.

I also use the File Manager in my hosting account's Cpanel software to Compress (zip) the root directory into a zip file on a regular basis, then download that zip file to my local computer, so I always have a recent backup. I also create a backup of the database using phpMyAdmin.

Thank you. I am sure all of the things you mentioned are great ideas except I have no idea of what you are explaining. This is my first attempt at building an ecommerce site. I have been the updater and changer of merchandise, prices etc, but I have not started the file from scratch.

I still need to know where I can find /languages/english/html_includes/your_template

You would use your FTP program to download files to your local computer so you can edit them
Thank you. I am sure all of the things you mentioned are great ideas except I have no idea of what you are explaining
I still need to know where I can find /languages/english/html_includes/your_template

If you ...
(1) don't know how to use FTP, and ...
(2) don't understand what stevesh said, and ...
(3) don't know where to find the template files when the location of them has been given to you, then ...
(4) I suggest you leave things well alone.

I'm sorry but you can't just start playing around with a Zen Cart site when you have absolutely no idea what you are doing - especially if it is an existing "live" website. That's just a recipe for disaster, and it'll probably end with you screwing the whole site up.

My advice is to make a start by installing an offline web server (Intranet) on your PC and installing Zen Cart on that. XAMPP has a very good 1-click installer (http://www.apachefriends.org/en), and this will install everything you need to be able then to install Zen Cart on your PC. You can learn using that and if you make a mess of things (and we've all done that when starting out) then it doesn't matter - you can always keep a copy of the files before editing them and restore then, or just re-install Zen Cart and start again.

Vger

Thanks. Sounds like good advice. I have downloaded what you told me to and put it in the applications file. Now how do I get a zen cart in it to work on?

Also, why won't anyone tell me how to get to:

/languages/english/html_includes/your_template

ccgstu5:

Also, why won't anyone tell me how to get to:

/languages/english/html_includes/your_template

Because that isn't really a Zencart question. All your files can be accessed using an FTP program. Filezilla is a good, free one.

I have downloaded what you told me to and put it in the applications file. Now how do I get a zen cart in it to work on?

Are you saying that you downloaded and installed XAMPP - and that it is working?

If so the the next thing to do is to download and unzip Zen Cart 1.3.9h from:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/zencart/files/CURRENT_%20Zen%20Cart%201.3.x%20Series/Zen%20Cart%20v1.3.9%20-%20Full%20Release/zen-cart-v1.3.9h-full-fileset-10262010.zip/download

When you have unzipped it then create a folder called 'zen' (or whatever you want to call it) inside the XAMPP 'htdocs' folder. Put all of the folders and files which you find inside the folder of the unzipped Zen Cart (admin, cache, docs etc.) into the folder you created inside the htdocs folder.

Then go to http://localhost and use the Security link to set up a MySQL User Name and Password, and then go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin and create a database.

Then you can go to http://localhost/zen/zc_install and install Zen Cart.

Vger

XAMPP is downloaded and put in applications folder. When I click on it it opens a window giving me a choice of apache or ftp. Which one do I choose?

The file you should have downloaded is the "Installer" version, which has the following name:
xampp-win32-1.7.4-VC6-installer.exe

It sounds like you downloaded the Binary version, which you have to manually install.

Vger

I imagine you are right. I have a Mac OS 10.4.11 and it was the only one I found for it. It is a beta file and not a good choice for me, but it was all I found.

My advice is to use (buy if necessary) a PC and load XAMPP onto that. I have used XAMPP on a Mac, but it's not an experience I'd recommend. You can even get PCs which are perfectly usable as an offline web server being given away on FreeCycle these days.

Vger

Thanks but I have too much hardware now and I am not likely to add any more even free. I guess I will have to find another way to set up my web site on zen cart.

Vger:

The file you should have downloaded is the "Installer" version, which has the following name:
xampp-win32-1.7.4-VC6-installer.exe

Um.... No. This is for Mac, right? So the .exe extension is a dead giveway that you're talking about the wrong file. .Exe's won't work on a Mac unless you're running Windows on it, in which case just follow the Windows instructions.

Do a search for MAMP (that's Mac Apache Mysql PHP) and read the instructions. Personally, I prefer using MacPorts.

But if you have a Mac, you probably already have Apache and PHP installed by Apple. Just turn on System Prefs => Sharing => Web Sharing. The files you'll serve go in Users => your user name =>Sites. I'm not sure if MySQL is pre-installed, as I don't use that myself, but it shouldn't be too hard to find out.

I like zen cart. But I guess that I am not capable of setting up the basics on it. I don't understand what any of the answers I received mean. I guess I will have to find someone to set it up for me or try something else.

Many of the issues you're having result from trying to install Zencart locally. Much better, IMO, to buy some server space and install it there. Let the host worry about PHP, SQL, etc.

As best I know, it is hosted on hostgator.

I misunderstood. If your site is hosted remotely, you don't need to deal with all the XAMPP, MAMP, etc. That's server stuff and is already taken care of by Hostgator.

Your original question had to do with accessing files on the server. Have you installed and used Filezilla ?

It has been so long since I started this, I am not sure what my original problem was. But in any case, I can not figure how to set up the first page with what I want it to say, in the format that I would want or in the color I want and with my logo.

At the top of this page is a link to the Zen Cart manual "e-Start Your Web Store with Zen Cart". Have you tried buying that?

Vger

All of the material I have read so far has not been any help. Might be my reading skills are slipping.

I guess I figured that someone has some magic that will suddenly tell me how to set this up. Remember I only need help with the basic front page set up. I know how to add merchandise, set up mailing costs, change prices etc. It is only page one original set up that I can't handle. I doubt the book will help, but I may as a last resort try it.