Questions about upgrading from 139h to 151 ?

i have so many modules installed

how i can upgrade without problems ?

thanks

Start by making a list of all the plugins you've currently got installed. Look in the Zen Cart Plugins area and see if each plugin has been updated for Zen Cart v1.5.0 or later. If not, check the plugin's support forum since it might run on v1.5.0 without change. If you have any plugins that haven't been updated or have been reported with problems, do you absolutely need them for your store's operation?

For a store with extensive customization, like you indicate you have, my suggestion is to perform a *rebuild * rather than an upgrade. To rebuild, you'll create a fresh install of Zen Cart (using your current database to pull in your products, customers and orders) and then re-add each updated plugin one-at-a-time, making a good backup of your file structure and database between each new plugin. That way, you've got the fresh plugin code going into the fresh Zen Cart base and your problems with plugin incompatibility should be lessened.

If you do it yourself, you will learn and be the wiser.

If you hire someone, they need to have the experience and ability to get it working in a reasonable amount of time.

There's pros and cons to both... and the forum has answers ;)

lat9:

For a store with extensive customization, like you indicate you have, my suggestion is to perform a *rebuild * rather than an upgrade. To rebuild, you'll create a fresh install of Zen Cart (using your current database to pull in your products, customers and orders) and then re-add each updated plugin one-at-a-time, making a good backup of your file structure and database between each new plugin. That way, you've got the fresh plugin code going into the fresh Zen Cart base and your problems with plugin incompatibility should be lessened. nods in agreement :yes: and THIS is how I've approached all of my "upgrades" for THIS reason..

lat9:

If you have any plugins that haven't been updated or have been reported with problems, do you absolutely need them for your store's operation?

Plus it makes clean starts easy peezy.. (like the site where I was no longer using a drop menu add-on)

lat9:

Start by making a list of all the plugins you've currently got installed. Look in the Zen Cart Plugins area and see if each plugin has been updated for Zen Cart v1.5.0 or later. If not, check the plugin's support forum since it might run on v1.5.0 without change. If you have any plugins that haven't been updated or have been reported with problems, do you absolutely need them for your store's operation?

For a store with extensive customization, like you indicate you have, my suggestion is to perform a *rebuild * rather than an upgrade. To rebuild, you'll create a fresh install of Zen Cart (using your current database to pull in your products, customers and orders) and then re-add each updated plugin one-at-a-time, making a good backup of your file structure and database between each new plugin. That way, you've got the fresh plugin code going into the fresh Zen Cart base and your problems with plugin incompatibility should be lessened.

Hi, I'm at the same stage... Need to now upgrade from 1.3.9h and I've only got 4 weeks to complete before the server upgrade.
Regarding the second paragraph:

I have created a 'demo' directory on the server and uploaded the install files to it. Now, before I go any further, and reading your post, do I now simply install Zen and point it to my EXISTING DB??? during the install, OR, do I create a NEW DB and then merge with the db tool?

I'm totally confused as if I used the existing db would that not work with 5.1?

Any advice

Rizla:

Hi, I'm at the same stage... Need to now upgrade from 1.3.9h and I've only got 4 weeks to complete before the server upgrade.
Regarding the second paragraph:

I have created a 'demo' directory on the server and uploaded the install files to it. Now, before I go any further, and reading your post, do I now simply install Zen and point it to my EXISTING DB??? during the install, OR, do I create a NEW DB and then merge with the db tool?

I'm totally confused as if I used the existing db would that not work with 5.1?

Any advice
Start by making a **new **database as a ***copy ***of your current store's database. That way, you've got your current products and a snapshot of the customers and orders at the point in time where you made the copy. Point your "demo" directory to the new database and start your upgrade process.

And adding to lat9's advice..

lat9:

Start by making a **new **database as a ***copy ***of your current store's database. That way, you've got your current products and a snapshot of the customers and orders at the point in time where you made the copy. Point your "demo" directory to the new database and start your upgrade process.

Do your upgrade on a local copy of the lot - files and DB. This way you can merge/delete/update whatever at your own pace and leisure. Just take detailed notes of what mods needed upgrading/reinstalling so you can apply that later on the live site. This is also a good time to weed out installed mods you have never or very rarely used. The less mods on a site the easier future upgrades.

That's just how I have been dealing with upgrades in the past - never had a hiccup on a live site apart from a few minor errors reported in the logs.

Cheers / Frank

lat9:

Start by making a **new **database as a ***copy ***of your current store's database. That way, you've got your current products and a snapshot of the customers and orders at the point in time where you made the copy. Point your "demo" directory to the new database and start your upgrade process.

Hi lat9
Sorry for being a pain. I have so far installed the new Zen in a 'demo' directory on my server. I made a new db and installed using that :(
I missed the part where you said 'a copy of the original db' I gather all is not YET lost as I could create another db that IS a copy of my main existing db and alter the config files??

What I don't understand is HOW I make a COPY of my existing db to a new db. I have shaking hands and beads of sweat on my forehead.

Rizla:

....What I don't understand is HOW I make a COPY of my existing db to a new db. I have shaking hands and beads of sweat on my forehead.

In short: using phpMyAdmin export your live DB to your local HD. Then, using phpMyAdmin, import that copy into your demo DB. Next you run zc_install on your demo site and only choose DB upgrade.

Don't worry, if you muck it up then only your demo site is affected. Your live site is still humming along.

Edit:

Add lat9's last para to this post

Edit your /YOUR_ADMIN/includes/configure.php and /includes/configure.php files to reflect the newly-copied database credentials and follow the instructions posted in the FAQ section about "Upgrading your Zen Cart".

Go to your webhost's cPanel, there's usually a link to "Manage Databases" or "phpMyAdmin". What you're looking for is phpMyAdmin.

At the lefthand side of the screen, there's a database-selection area. Select your current (v1.3.9h) database. The buttons at the top of the main portion of the screen will change based on your selection of a database. One of the selections is "Operations", click there. One of the options is "Copy Database to:"; enter a new database name (like xxxxx_v151), choose 'Structure and data' and press "Go". That will make a copy of your v1.3.9h database into the database you've named. Depending on your webhost, you might have an option to identify (or they might just tell you) the username, hostname and password for the newly-copied database.

Edit your /YOUR_ADMIN/includes/configure.php and /includes/configure.php files to reflect the newly-copied database credentials and follow the instructions posted in the FAQ section about "Upgrading your Zen Cart".

lat9:

Edit your /YOUR_ADMIN/includes/configure.php and /includes/configure.php files to reflect the newly-copied database credentials and follow the instructions posted in the FAQ section about "Upgrading your Zen Cart".

Hi there,

I been following your instructions on how to copy database, no problem on these part.
however when you said above configure.php files, both of these configure.php in my demo section are empty!!!
did I done something wrong?

thank you for your time
Arwen

Have you run zc_install yet to install the new copy of Zen Cart? The installation process creates brand new configure.php files customized with your current information. After that, you can replace the new database content with your existing content and "upgrade" the db.

gjh42:

Have you run zc_install yet to install the new copy of Zen Cart? The installation process creates brand new configure.php files customized with your current information. After that, you can replace the new database content with your existing content and "upgrade" the db.

You mean install the new copy of Zen Cart on my live site?
I currently has Zen Cart 1.3.8a on my live site, and planing to install 1.5.0 to my demo site.
I went through all the file comparison and update the differences, template Override system, and make a copy live site db to demo site,
and someone said that if I install the new version of Zen Cart on my demo site after done all above, it will be a "Upgrade" not "Install" and Yet, when I try to install it on my demo site, it says "Ready to Install? (This will wipe any existing data. You are NOT in Upgrade mode!!!"

so my process is incorrect?

As long as you point your demo site to the demo database, it will not affect your live site. The demo db can be empty before you run zc_install; after installation is complete, then wipe the demo db, import your real db content into the demo db, run zc_install and "upgrade".

Remember that this will reset admin usernames and passwords to match your live site. It will be easiest if you set up the demo site with matching user/pw. After all upgrading is complete, then go into the demo admin and change the admin user/pw so you won't accidentally log into one site thinking that it is the other.

How do I find out what additional modules are installed?

Thanks

Paul

There is not a central repository for that information; you will need to compare your fileset with a fresh fileset of the same ZC version, note the files thare different, and investigate each of them to see if they belong to your current template or to a separate mod. Some files will note the mod they relate to in the comments at the top. If you don't find any identification for some files, you can look in Plugins for mods that affect the same area as your file.

Did you build the site, or inherit it?

paul-h:

How do I find out what additional modules are installed?

Thanks

Paul

I usually forget what I have installed - what's new?? (Senior's mental blanks.....)

So, to find what mods have been added I check my admin for anything that is not stock, be that in admin > configuration, admin > tools, admin > extras, wherever.

I take note of the additions (compared to a stock ZC install) and then refer to my (local) downloaded modules and read the instructions re version / compatability / upgrading. Then I am making changes accordingly - or kick them out if I have never or rarely used the mods.

This method never let me down.