New templates aren't showing up

I'm trying to change the template from classic to Alyssa Rounded, but even though the new template folder uploaded successfully to the server, it is not showing up in the drop down menu in the template selection panel. "Classic Contemporary Green" is the only option showing up.

I only just installed Zen Cart today (zc_install), and haven't done any weird mods or anything.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Explain exactly, how you "uploaded" the template.

I tried using my cpanel to upload the template's "includes" folder as a zip like the read me file suggested, then extracting the zip.

None of the simple overrides, like changing the sales text message and uploading a new meta_tags.php in a /custom folder, seem to be working either. It does work if I alter the original meta_tags.php and reupload that.

1. get a proper FTP program. Filezilla is free, but professional programs like WSFTP Pro are better.

2. You unzip the template on YOUR HOME COMPUTER--- NOT the server.

3. Using your FTP program, you navigate BOTH PANES to show the same directory level (A: the template folder on your machine and B: the Root installation folder on your remote server).

4. Then, you FTP the template to the server.

If a new template doesn't appear in admin, it means there isn't any template_info.php file in includes/templates/YOUR_NEW_TEMPLATE, usually caused by uploading the template's files/folders to the wrong place.

As schoolboy said, using a good FTP client makes uploading stuff a lot easier and cuts down on errors.

stevesh:

If a new template doesn't appear in admin, it means there isn't any template_info.php file in includes/templates/YOUR_NEW_TEMPLATE, usually caused by uploading the template's files/folders to the wrong place.

As schoolboy said, using a good FTP client makes uploading stuff a lot easier and cuts down on errors.

What the OP is doing is sending the ZIP file to the server (not sure WHERE on the server) and then just UNZIPPING it on the server.

This is possible on SOME platforms (WordPress, in its admin panel) but not zencart.

I'll respectfully disagree with my friend schoolboy, but I'll agree that it makes more sense to unzip on your local machine and upload the template folders and files to the server, and there are some 'ifs' that need to be right to do it your way.

If the template zip file opens directly into the 'includes' folder, and

**if **you upload the zip file to the root (top) directory of your store, and

if the folders and files in the template zip file are in the correct directory 'tree', you can unzip it on the server and have it work. That's the way I install Zencart.

In the case of the template you mentioned, the first and third 'ifs' are correct, though you'll be adding the readme and SQL file to your server for no reason. (Just a personal thing, I think, but as nice as Picaflor Azul's templates are, I would avoid templates that require a SQL patch.).

Oh yes... I know the protocol of unzip installing... I am not disputing that it's possible - IF you follow your "if's" :D .

What "newbies" tend to do is load the zip file to an incorrect directory (as has happened here), so rather than explain the zencart directory hierarchy, it's generally easier to unzip locally, and ftp to the server. (It also provides an opportunity for the newbie to get a glimpse at some directory structures.)