My 151 /admin/ page does not work.

Hello,

I have read FAQ on troubleshooting and searched the forum for the fix of my problem, but after fracking around with config. file all day, none of the solutions offered seem to work for me. I've also had two other Zencart websites before and never encountered this problem.

It is a fresh install of a brand new Zencart. My store front works fine: http://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk/index.php but my admin page just shows me install page again: http://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk/admin/.

It can't be a browser problem since I've tested it in 3 different browsers on two different machines. I do not have SSL enabled and not planning to. The path is exactly the same as in my database and the database details are correct. I thought maybe it can't find the path due to me changing the admin directory name, but changing it back didn't change anything. What am I missing? :frusty: I deleted zc-install directory from the server, so why does it show me installation page instead of admin?

Here's my config.php from admin/includes:

<?php
/**
 * SAMPLE dist-configure.php
 *
 * @package Configuration Settings
 * @package Admin
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2012 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version GIT: $Id: Author: DrByte  Tue Jul 31 17:24:25 2012 -0400 Modified in v1.5.1 $
 * @private
 */
/**
 * WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE SSL PROTECTION FOR YOUR ENTIRE ADMIN:
 * To do that, make sure you use a "https:" URL for BOTH the HTTP_SERVER and HTTPS_SERVER entries:
 */
  define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');
  define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');
  define('HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER', 'http://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');
  define('HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER', 'https://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');

  // secure webserver for admin?  Valid choices are 'true' or 'false' (including quotes).
  define('ENABLE_SSL_ADMIN', 'false');

  // secure webserver for storefront?  Valid choices are 'true' or 'false' (including quotes).
  define('ENABLE_SSL_CATALOG', 'false');

// NOTE: be sure to leave the trailing '/' at the end of these lines if you make changes!
// * DIR_WS_* = Webserver directories (virtual/URL)
  // these paths are relative to top of your webspace ... (ie: under the public_html or httpdocs folder)
  $t1 = parse_url(HTTP_SERVER);$p1 = $t1['path'];$t2 = parse_url(HTTPS_SERVER);$p2 = $t2['path'];
  
  define('DIR_WS_ADMIN', preg_replace('#^' . str_replace('-', '\-', $p1) . '#', '', dirname($_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'])) . '/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/');
  define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_ADMIN', preg_replace('#^' . str_replace('-', '\-', $p2) . '#', '', dirname($_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'])) . '/');
  define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/');

  define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', 'images/');
  define('DIR_WS_ICONS', DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'icons/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_IMAGES', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'images/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_TEMPLATE', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'includes/templates/');
  define('DIR_WS_INCLUDES', 'includes/');
  define('DIR_WS_FUNCTIONS', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'functions/');
  define('DIR_WS_CLASSES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'classes/');
  define('DIR_WS_MODULES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'modules/');
  define('DIR_WS_LANGUAGES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'languages/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_LANGUAGES', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'includes/languages/');

// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)
  define('DIR_FS_ADMIN', realpath(dirname(__FILE__) . '/../') . '/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/');

  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_LANGUAGES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/languages/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_IMAGES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'images/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_MODULES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/modules/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_TEMPLATES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/templates/');
  define('DIR_FS_BACKUP', DIR_FS_ADMIN . 'backups/');
  define('DIR_FS_EMAIL_TEMPLATES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'email/');
  define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'download/');

// define our database connection
  define('DB_TYPE', 'mysql');
  define('DB_PREFIX', '');
  define('DB_CHARSET', 'utf8');
  define('DB_SERVER', 'REMOVED FOR THIS POST');
  define('DB_SERVER_USERNAME', '.....');
  define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD', '......');
  define('DB_DATABASE', '......');

  // The next 2 "defines" are for SQL cache support.
  // For SQL_CACHE_METHOD, you can select from:  none, database, or file
  // If you choose "file", then you need to set the DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE to a directory where your apache
  // or webserver user has write privileges (chmod 666 or 777). We recommend using the "cache" folder inside the Zen Cart folder
  // ie: /path/to/your/webspace/public_html/zen/cache   -- leave no trailing slash
  define('SQL_CACHE_METHOD', 'none');

  define('DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE', '/homepages/13/d345528550/htdocs/heartsofsteel/cache'); /*enter/your/path/to/public_html_or_htdocs/and/zencart/here/zen/cache');*/


//Explanations of the webserver and path parameters:
// HTTP_SERVER is your Main webserver: eg-http://www.yourdomain.com
// HTTPS_SERVER is your Secure webserver: eg-https://www.yourdomain.com
// HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER is your Main webserver: eg-http://www.yourdomain.com
// HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER is your Secure webserver: eg-https://www.yourdomain.com
/*
 * URLs for your site will be built via:
 *     HTTP_SERVER plus DIR_WS_ADMIN or
 *     HTTPS_SERVER plus DIR_WS_HTTPS_ADMIN or
 *     HTTP_SERVER plus DIR_WS_CATALOG or
 *     HTTPS_SERVER plus DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG
 * ...depending on your system configuration settings
 */

It looks like someone has removed the comment that explains that you need a complete path to your filesystem here:

// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)
define('DIR_FS_ADMIN', realpath(dirname(FILE) . '/../') . '/');
//the following path is a COMPLETE path to your Zen Cart files. eg: /var/www/vhost/accountname/public_html/store/
define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/home/stevesh/public_html/demo/'); (Example from my test site.)

You only have '/' as a path there.

Tried adding that - it didn't change a thing. Also compared this config with the old one I have from 1.3.9 and also with the config in Includes - they all similar and nothing seem to be wrong, but it still doesn't work. :(
Is there anything else I should look at in the config file? Could it be not config at all? Then what? shrugs

What path did you put in that place ? I replaced the path in my file with the '/' that you have, and got the same problem you're experiencing.

Here's the adjusted one:

<?php
/**
 * SAMPLE dist-configure.php
 *
 * @package Configuration Settings
 * @package Admin
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2012 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version GIT: $Id: Author: DrByte  Tue Jul 31 17:24:25 2012 -0400 Modified in v1.5.1 $
 * @private
 */
/**
 * WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE SSL PROTECTION FOR YOUR ENTIRE ADMIN:
 * To do that, make sure you use a "https:" URL for BOTH the HTTP_SERVER and HTTPS_SERVER entries:
 */
  define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');
  define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');
  define('HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER', 'http://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');
  define('HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER', 'https://www.heartsofsteel.co.uk');

  // secure webserver for admin?  Valid choices are 'true' or 'false' (including quotes).
  define('ENABLE_SSL_ADMIN', 'false');

  // secure webserver for storefront?  Valid choices are 'true' or 'false' (including quotes).
  define('ENABLE_SSL_CATALOG', 'false');

// NOTE: be sure to leave the trailing '/' at the end of these lines if you make changes!
// * DIR_WS_* = Webserver directories (virtual/URL)
  // these paths are relative to top of your webspace ... (ie: under the public_html or httpdocs folder)
  $t1 = parse_url(HTTP_SERVER);$p1 = $t1['path'];$t2 = parse_url(HTTPS_SERVER);$p2 = $t2['path'];
  
  define('DIR_WS_ADMIN', preg_replace('#^' . str_replace('-', '\-', $p1) . '#', '', dirname($_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'])) . '/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/');
  define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_ADMIN', preg_replace('#^' . str_replace('-', '\-', $p2) . '#', '', dirname($_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'])) . '/');
  define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/');

  define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', 'images/');
  define('DIR_WS_ICONS', DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'icons/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_IMAGES', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'images/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_TEMPLATE', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'includes/templates/');
  define('DIR_WS_INCLUDES', 'includes/');
  define('DIR_WS_FUNCTIONS', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'functions/');
  define('DIR_WS_CLASSES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'classes/');
  define('DIR_WS_MODULES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'modules/');
  define('DIR_WS_LANGUAGES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'languages/');
  define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_LANGUAGES', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'includes/languages/');

// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)
  define('DIR_FS_ADMIN', realpath(dirname(__FILE__) . '/../') . '/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/homepages/13/d345528550/htdocs/');

  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_LANGUAGES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/languages/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_IMAGES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'images/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_MODULES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/modules/');
  define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_TEMPLATES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/templates/');
  define('DIR_FS_BACKUP', DIR_FS_ADMIN . 'backups/');
  define('DIR_FS_EMAIL_TEMPLATES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'email/');
  define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'download/');

// define our database connection
  define('DB_TYPE', 'mysql');
  define('DB_PREFIX', '');
  define('DB_CHARSET', 'utf8');
  define('DB_SERVER', '.....');
  define('DB_SERVER_USERNAME', '.....');
  define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD', '....');
  define('DB_DATABASE', '...');

  // The next 2 "defines" are for SQL cache support.
  // For SQL_CACHE_METHOD, you can select from:  none, database, or file
  // If you choose "file", then you need to set the DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE to a directory where your apache
  // or webserver user has write privileges (chmod 666 or 777). We recommend using the "cache" folder inside the Zen Cart folder
  // ie: /path/to/your/webspace/public_html/zen/cache   -- leave no trailing slash
  define('SQL_CACHE_METHOD', 'none');

  define('DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE', '/homepages/13/d345528550/htdocs/heartsofsteel/cache'); /*enter/your/path/to/public_html_or_htdocs/and/zencart/here/zen/cache');*/


//Explanations of the webserver and path parameters:
// HTTP_SERVER is your Main webserver: eg-http://www.yourdomain.com
// HTTPS_SERVER is your Secure webserver: eg-https://www.yourdomain.com
// HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER is your Main webserver: eg-http://www.yourdomain.com
// HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER is your Secure webserver: eg-https://www.yourdomain.com
/*
 * URLs for your site will be built via:
 *     HTTP_SERVER plus DIR_WS_ADMIN or
 *     HTTPS_SERVER plus DIR_WS_HTTPS_ADMIN or
 *     HTTP_SERVER plus DIR_WS_CATALOG or
 *     HTTPS_SERVER plus DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG
 * ...depending on your system configuration settings
 */

Only thing I can suggest is that '/homepages/13/d345528550/htdocs/' is not the proper path.

When I do a fresh installation of 1.5.1, I never have to edit the configure.php file(s) at all. All the proper paths are entered by the installation script. Is that the case with you, or are you editing those files ?

No, I only went to look at those files when my admin page didn't work.
The path is exactly the same as in my DB.

Interesting that originally, I decided to do fresh install, because my website was running on 1.3.9 and came up with a blank page on both admin and front page, so I couldn't even upgrade. So instead of trying to follow a painful workaround (I believe you suggested it to me in my other post :) ) I decided to just install new zencart and rework my shop quickly. Now the front page works, but admin doesn't. Coincidence or there's some other problem that I do not see? shrug

I'll reinstall everything again today and see how that will work.

If you're going to start over, try my method in post #7 here:

http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?190947-Install-for-Dummies-%28me%29

Sorry if this was asked.

Did you rename your admin directory as required? And, did you use that new admin name to access the Admin Section? If you have done both of these, do you not get the login for admin?

I've managed to get it working. It was my DB problem. My first install wasn't a clean one, so I cleaned up my DB and installed ZC with a prefix. Didn't do anything different installation-wise, so yeah...installing it on top of my old ZC was a mistake. But because the store worked and admin didn't, I was sure that it's a problem with the config file.

Thank you for your help Stevesh.