Can Templates from Prior Versions Be Added to Later Versions?

I have inherited a Zen Cart site that used a template called "Theme125" -- it was selectable from the list of templates when running the Admin module. As I did not create the site originally, I do not know what version of Zen Cart it is using (can I find that out somehow?).

However, I need to recreate the site (not a migration, since the owner deleted the database and has no backup) and have to use the latest version running on the hosting company's server (1.3.8.h). I've installed 1.3.8.h, but while in the Admin module, "Theme125" is not listed.

Is there some way to make "Theme125" available in v1.3.8.h, whether by downloading it from somewhere or manually copying files (I have a copy of the old site, so I should have access to any .css files, etc.).

This site MUST use the Theme125 template, so PLEASE help me if you can!

Thank you.

Correction -- all references to 1.3.8.h SHOULD BE 1.3.8.a

Unfortunately, that sounds like it could be a Template Monster template.

It is a Template Monster template, and I'll be willing to bet that, even if you can get them to reply to your request, they'll expect you to pay for it again.

I'd be interested in the reason this store must use that tempate. Templates are just about the site's appearance, after all.

You have two potentially difficult problems:

1. version 1.3.8a is extremely vulnerable to hacker attacks, and believe me... if the site gets hacked it is a tedious and time-consuming task to clean it up. And if you are a "novice" webmaster, you will probably have to pay a lot of money to have it cleaned.

2. It is using a TemplateMonster template, and while these may "look nice" they are horrible to work with. The reason is that the developers of these templates either rip the heart out of much of the core functionality, or they re-shape it completely. The result is that you may lack a lot of control (both via your admin panel and via module add-ons) in both how the site looks and how it behaves.

Interestingly... it is possible to configure a template that DOES behave well, that can look as good - if not better - than these terrible template monster concoctions.

If you are intent on hanging onto that template, don't expect much help on this forum... not that we don't want to help, but we just don't have hours and hours to "unpick" TM templates to try to fathom out what stupid thinking has gone into removing or modifying essential zencart behaviour.

Here's your best bet...

REMOVE the current installation completely (As it is de facto a brand new install of 1.3.8, just delete the whole thing... database, files, the lot.)

DOWNLOAD a copy of the latest version (1.3.9h) and manually install that on your server.

Abandon the idea of using a TM template. There are some very attractive ones that can be modified very easily, available in the free downloads, and some neat ones from 12leaves (the "pure" series).

To show you just how flexible a template can be, the following sites are ALL based on the same template.

Site One
Site Two
Site Three

Okay, something isn't adding up here, so let me try this again.

I downloaded version 1.3.9.h by following the link at zen-cart-com/index.php. On a test area, separate from the live site (which I think is 1.3.8.a but may be 1.3.7x) that the site owner accidentally destroyed by deleting the database (no, no backup available), I installed 1.3.9.h successfully. I then logged into the Admin module, and using the Tools | Template item (or whatever that's called), I selected from the list of available templates "Theme125" and applied it. It worked beautifully. I did not install any separate themes first, and did not download anything other than the installation file for Zen Cart.

Question 1) I have no idea what Template Monster is or why they are apparently evil or why everyone on this site apparently has taken a vow to never speak of them, BUT given all that it seems extremely unlikely that Zen Cart would be distributed WITH ONE OF THEIR THEMES INCLUDED! So, does Zen Cart ship with certain themes included (besides the default), and is it possible "Theme125" is one of them (as it seems to be)?

Question 2) If no themes (or at least, not the one I am referring to) ship with Zen Cart, how is it Theme125 is available to me immediately after installation (i.e., no other add-ons installed, etc.) - just by logging into the Admin module?

Now you may be wondering what's the problem then, you have installed Zen Cart and selected the theme you wanted -- get on with it. However, due to limitations of the web hosting company, using 1.3.9.h is not an option (even though I can and did install it manually, they only offer/support version 1.3.8.a). Yes, I know, I know - not secure, very old, evil, yada yada yada -- I get it, I do and I'm dealing with that down the road - first step is get the site live again. The problem is, a fresh install of 1.3.8.a from the web host did NOT include the Theme125 as described above. So:

Question 3) Assuming we are not talking about a Template Monster (or otherwise non-recommended) theme, is it possible to copy all the files that comprise a theme to a certain area of an ALREADY INSTALLED ZEN CART and then go into it's Admin module import the theme or have it automatically recognize the theme? If so, I could then copy the necessary files from the 1.3.9.h install to the fresh 1.3.8.a install and at least get the layout and look/feel reasonably close...

Only the default theme is included with Zen Cart. The one you mentioned isn't included. No idea why it's available in the admin.

To find out what version the current site is running, log into the admin and click on the "version" tab.

1. No. As afo said, the Zencart zip file only includes the Classic template. I don't know either why it appeared in your options, but the only likely explanation is an awkward one - you didn't actually do as you said/think you did.

Template Monster is the largest purveyor of Zencart templates and is notorious for hacking the Zencart code in ways that make it impossible to configure/style the store properly. Their naming convention is 'themeXXX', which is what made me suspect yours is one of theirs.

2. I don't know - see above.

3. Yes, if you know what files comprise the template. Some template packages consist of just a stylesheet file, and others consist of hundreds of files and even SQL patches. You can try copying these over first:

Everything in the templates/theme125 folder.
includes/languages/english/theme125/header.php.
Anything else in any folder named theme125.

This doesn't make any sense - using 1.3.9.h is not an option (even though I can and did install it manually, they only offer/support version 1.3.8.a).

If you can install 1.3.9h manually, do so and rebuild the site from that. Your host doesn't need to offer/support it.

Stevesh,

I did as I said - downloaded 1.3.9.h from the official site, and manually installed on a completely different server that (unlike our host) supports PHP 5+ and MySQL 5+... Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology, but right out of the box, I logged into the Admin module and selected Theme125 from among the available items, clicked Apply and presto it worked.

Installing 1.3.9.h onto my host's server does not work, because it fails at the Database Info step with the MySQL client needs to be updated error. Of course I didn't know this at the time, and went ahead with development on the other server, thinking that when done I could simply export the database then import it to the "live" server and see where I stood as far as restoring the site. In theory it should work because both sites would use the same theme/template, settings, etc. that are stored in the database.

Anyway, thanks for the info - I will attempt to copy the files you mentioned. If that doesn't get me anywhere, I may as well recommend a complete site rebuild (on a more reliable host) since that is basically what has to happen anyway.

Just out of curiosity, how many template options did you have available in admin ?

stevesh:

Just out of curiosity, how many template options did you have available in admin ?

I don't remember exactly, but I think just two others besides the default. Theme125, and something with the word green in it. WAY fewer than are available in 1.3.9h.

Why?

OK just checked again...

"Theme 125"
"ZenCart jQuery Silver"

I'm getting confused. In the stock Zencart installation file package there is one, and only one, template available in Admin - Tools - Template Selection: Classic Contemporary Green.

If you had more than that in a clean installation, you couldn't have gotten the zip file from the official Zencart repository.

stevesh:

I'm getting confused. In the stock Zencart installation file package there is one, and only one, template available in Admin - Tools - Template Selection: Classic Contemporary Green.

If you had more than that in a clean installation, you couldn't have gotten the zip file from the official Zencart repository.

Steve,

I don't know how else to say it - I downloaded the install file from the ZenCart site (referenced above). I scanned it for viruses, etc.; it was clean. I ftp'd it to both the new (test) server and the existing (live) server, then attempted to install it on both. On the new, it worked great as I've mentioned. Theme 125 was immediately available and loaded without trouble. On the existing, 1.3.9.h won't install because of the aforementioned lack of support by the hosting company.

I cannot comment as to the current state of the "live" server because I had nothing to do with its development and destruction... I was called in long after the fact. But as for the new server, yes, Theme 125 was available -- in fact, I installed it multiple times and it was always there. Thus my shock when I installed 1.3.8.a (which is closer to the older version we have on the "live" server which does use Theme 125) and Theme 125 was NOT an option.

I am new to Zen Cart, not new to development, etc. I am telling you the way it is, but I sure can't explain it...I am hoping someone on this forum can?

It's always fun to try to diagnose problems that are, um, impossible :laugh:.

How about downloading the Zencart zip file again from the official repository: http://sourceforge.net/projects/zencart/files/

and installing it to a subdirectory of the test directory and see what happens.

Just googled theme125 and it came up as a Joomla Template from template monster

Stevesh,

Planning on that (assuming we don't just bag it for a complete site redesign), and will post back with results. Thanks again for the help/advice.

Green Couch Designs,

LOL...Saw that as well while trying to get some help... my first thought was Oh Yay!

It's always fun to try to diagnose problems that are, um, impossible .Not to say that you aren't getting the results you're seeing, but something has to have happened to the files since unzipping the fresh download to put those template files in there. Where this is happening (and if it is happening to the fresh fileset) is the question.

Detailing every single step you take from downloading to template selection may show the point of "contamination". Also check folder contents at every possible step.