Can I close the store for maintenance... from the database?

Hello,
Interesting one, this.
Our admin has disappeared - all I'm getting in the installation screen - although the store is still up and appears to be working fine. I can see that admin/includes/configure.php has lost all its connection details, but when I correct them, the file reverts to "localhost" etc upon saving.
So I want to back up the files and database so I can reinstall, but first I need to close the store for maintenance. Can I do this from the database in phpMyadmin?

When you save your confiure.php to the server. did you remember to make it writeable (664 or 666) first? Otherwise your changes will not be saved on the server.

jenpen:

but first I need to close the store for maintenance. Can I do this from the database in phpMyadmin?

Yes. Run the following SQL command

UPDATE configuration set configuration_value = 'true' where configuration_key = 'DOWN_FOR_MAINTENANCE';

Cheers
Rod

Thanks Design75 but yes, it was writeable. My changes disappear upon Save. But thanks RodG, that exactly what I need.

Guys, I exported the DB, reinstalled ZC and have just tried to import the DB. But I'm getting:
Error

SQL query:

--
-- Dumping data for table address_format

INSERT INTO address_format ( address_format_id , address_format , address_summary )
VALUES ( 1, '$firstname $lastname$cr$streets$cr$city, $postcode$cr$statecomma$country', '$city / $country' ) , ( 2, '$firstname $lastname$cr$streets$cr$city, $state $postcode$cr$country', '$city, $state / $country' ) , ( 3, '$firstname $lastname$cr$streets$cr$city$cr$postcode - $statecomma$country', '$state / $country' ) , ( 4, '$firstname $lastname$cr$streets$cr$city ($postcode)$cr$country', '$postcode / $country' ) , ( 5, '$firstname $lastname$cr$streets$cr$postcode $city$cr$country', '$city / $country' ) , ( 6, '$firstname $lastname$cr$streets$cr$city$cr$state$cr$postcode$cr$country', '$postcode / $country' ) ;

MySQL said: Documentation
#1062 - Duplicate entry '1' for key 1

What to do?

I just tried the same import again. This time it's giving the same error message but there are real names and addresses in the data.

I'm stuck here, so if anyone can cast some light, please don't hold back :dontgetit

jenpen:

I'm stuck here, so if anyone can cast some light, please don't hold back :dontgetit

Option1: Delete the data from the table before trying to import new data.
Option2: Assuming the data that already exists in the table is valid, then simply ignore this error.

Oh, there should not be real names in the import data. The data contains variable names only.

Cheers
Rod

RodG, excuse this phpMyadmin amateur, but I am having trouble deleting the whole database. I know the SQL for deleting from a table, so I'm trying to use that, ie delete from 'prefix_databasename'. But I get a syntax error. I guess I could delete each table one by one, but trying to avoid that.

You're supposed to "Include DROP/CREATE TABLE IF EXISTS" support when you're doing your backup. See: http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?144-how-can-i-do-a-site-backup-or-use-phpmyadmin-for-database-backup

If you didn't do that, then you'll need to "drop" all your normal Zen Cart tables before you can import data back into them. Hopefully your backup at least includes "CREATE TABLE" statements. If not, then you'll be an even bigger pickle.

Thanks Dr Byte. I just did a regular "Export" on the database so I don't know what was included. I was confident because over the years I have moved zen carts around different servers dozens of times and they always slotted right back into the new database when I needed them to. But the database on the new server has always been empty.

So how do I "drop" all my normal Zen Cart tables?

Put a checkmark in the box next to each Zen Cart table, then choose "drop" from the menu below all the checkboxes.

Thanks, all fixed now. :D

jenpen:

I am having trouble deleting the whole database.

I see that this problem has been solved. :)

Another solution (one that I would have used) would be to rename (not copy) the database to something like "mydatabase_original" then create a new "mydatabase" database. You just never know when you'll need this as a backup.

As a "phpMyadmin amateur" it pays to experiment. All those import/export options are there for a reason. Most you'll never need to touch, but some, like the "Include DROP/CREATE TABLE IF EXISTS" is a double edged sword. In this case it is something you** want **it to do. In other cases it is easy to unintentionally delete things you didn't intend too.

Cheers
Rod

I guess I've always got it as a back-up - as an SQL file on my hard drive.
Is the "Include DROP/CREATE TABLE IF EXISTS" bit in here somewhere?

Yes. As the FAQ article says, you'll need to put a check in the "Add DROP TABLE .... statement" box.

OK, got it, thanks.

jenpen:

I guess I've always got it as a back-up - as an SQL file on my hard drive.

One can never have too many backups. :)

Although not meant as a substitute for a 'real' backup, the idea of renaming rather than deleting is that the renamed backup is quicker and easier to restore. When you've finished whatever it is you are doing then you can delete the renamed database.. which brings us back to the original question, how to delete a database? <g>

Anyway, 'tis a tip I've often found useful, but then again, I also make a lot of stuff-ups so I'll probably find it more useful than most others ;)

Cheers
Rod