Need help to do an upgrade from 1.5.0 to 1.5.5

I think i don't want to have to deal with aDB with a different name, different user, etc. so i proceeded to clone the DB as i was shown. But it is not working so i had to get in touch with the host... again :( Another waiting game.

CaroleAs:

I didn't want to mess up anything and i was not 100% sure how to clone the live site database into this storetest one, so i called my host. Not only he didn't SHOW me how to do it, he created a new db called zencartclone2 instead of cloning into the zencartclone one that i had.

In light of that, do i only have to change the db info in the configure.php files or is there somewhere else? (i know this will not be a step in the live site upgrade, at least!) And when the database is "reverted" to the un-upgraded version, will that show on the top right of the admin side? I just want to make sure i will proceed with an "upgrade" on an "upgradable" db.
Good, so hopefully though (and it was stated earlier that you had learned how to do a database "transfer") you now know how to do that because the database is your "life-line" the files can be easily put back/found, reconstructed, but the data is your business.

Anyways, yes the only place(s) your database is referenced is in the two configure.php files.

As for the admin... if you notice in any/all upgrade instructions login to the admin does not occur until the end of the update. There's actually reason for that which may or may not be an issue with ZC 1.5.5, but has been in previous versions. Attempting to login will update the password "complexity" which may or may not be equivalently compared when providing credentials during the upgrade. I haven't recently tested this aspect because of previously being bit. :P

Additionally, if you think about it, until it was suggested to try to login to this recent upgrade, you hadn't. So, why do something different unless you want to either redo this database move or run the "I forgot my password" script?

CaroleAs:

So how do i get this GZip enabled?

It's an actual option right there in the configuration menu of the admin.

Admin >> Configuration >> GZip Compression >> 1

Been there since some hosts went to different method of compression. If installation says you don't have it, just turn it on in ZC.

dbltoe:

It's an actual option right there in the configuration menu of the admin.

Admin >> Configuration >> GZip Compression >> 1

Been there since some hosts went to different method of compression. If installation says you don't have it, just turn it on in ZC.

Sweet... something easy I can do when this is set up.

I am going to pull my hair out here! (and nothing to do with your help which i so greatly appreciate)

I tried to clone the DB through phpMyAdmin and I was getting errors. I contacted my host, and the tech said: "sure I can help". Then comes back saying "I created another DB called zencartclone2 with the same permissions". As i check, it is a different size, has different user, and changing that is NOT working.

So i tell him i want to CLONE the zencart DB into the existing zencartclone one. Oh... he can't do it. He will create a ticket for it.

I just got an email "I've manually copied data from your database creat419_zencart to the new database: creat419_zencartclone3" GRRRR. Another DB, and NO user (who knows about the pw now?).

Taking a deep breath. I'll be back.

CaroleAs:

I am going to pull my hair out here! (and nothing to do with your help which i so greatly appreciate)

I tried to clone the DB through phpMyAdmin and I was getting errors. I contacted my host, and the tech said: "sure I can help". Then comes back saying "I created another DB called zencartclone2 with the same permissions". As i check, it is a different size, has different user, and changing that is NOT working.

So i tell him i want to CLONE the zencart DB into the existing zencartclone one. Oh... he can't do it. He will create a ticket for it.

I just got an email "I've manually copied data from your database creat419_zencart to the new database: creat419_zencartclone3" GRRRR. Another DB, and NO user (who knows about the pw now?).

Taking a deep breath. I'll be back.
User and password is something that can/should be able to be assigned through cPanel and one of the database tools made available to you where such can be applied. You could use the same user and credentials as one of the other databases at least for now or get creative and assign something else. Yes, I know "trouble", but...

Don't forget to ask about the php version change method suggested by your host in your next communication with them. :)

mc12345678:

User and password is something that can/should be able to be assigned through cPanel and one of the database tools made available to you where such can be applied. You could use the same user and credentials as one of the other databases at least for now or get creative and assign something else. Yes, I know "trouble", but...

Don't forget to ask about the php version change method suggested by your host in your next communication with them. :)

Good point. Done.
As i checked though, the databases are not identical in size. The original is 107.17MB and the duplicate is 98.08MB.
Does that make sense?

I still changed the configure.php file, and the store loaded. Front end: back to the default zencart template (i think that is good).
In the admin, it shows: (You are presently using: v1.5.5e) but if i go to Server Information, i get this:
Zen Cart 1.5.5e
Database Patch Level: 1.5.0

Do i understand correctly that the STORE is at 1.5.5e but the DB is the "live store" one, which is for 1.5.0?
If so, running the zc-install will patch/upgrade the DB, correct?
Is that all there would be to do to "upgrade" this cloned store?
and when i do it on the LIVE store, the DB will be 1.5.0 but the store will also show as 1.5.0 (it does now) and then running the zc_install will do the DB upgrade (like this) but might just upgrade the store to 1.5.5e almost silently like it did for this first storetest upgrade?

CaroleAs:

Good point. Done.
As i checked though, the databases are not identical in size. The original is 107.17MB and the duplicate is 98.08MB.
Does that make sense?

I still changed the configure.php file, and the store loaded. Front end: back to the default zencart template (i think that is good).
In the admin, it shows: (You are presently using: v1.5.5e) but if i go to Server Information, i get this:
Zen Cart 1.5.5e
Database Patch Level: 1.5.0

Do i understand correctly that the STORE is at 1.5.5e but the DB is the "live store" one, which is for 1.5.0?
If so, running the zc-install will patch/upgrade the DB, correct?
Is that all there would be to do to "upgrade" this cloned store?
and when i do it on the LIVE store, the DB will be 1.5.0 but the store will also show as 1.5.0 (it does now) and then running the zc_install will do the DB upgrade (like this) but might just upgrade the store to 1.5.5e almost silently like it did for this first storetest upgrade?
Having less data, can make sense as the database upgrade has not been performed which would take up more space likely by the addition of fields, increasing field length, plugins, etc...

Okay to your final "paragraph"? Hold on there buckaroo...

An upgrade of a site is two parts. The files and the database. With that is an associated upgrade "package" (zc_install) that is supposed to be from the version associated with the fileset... ie. fileset expects database to "look" a certain way, zc_install expects to make the database "right" if it isn't. If it is "right" then let's you "start-over" if that's what you really want to do. So, regarding your live site, you would need to place the ZC files for the version to which you're upgrading (1.5.5e has been discussed and hopefully the latest rendition of that as well). And then use zc_install to do the database upgrade (which will also involve updating the configure.php files). As to what you expect to see during that? That's why you're doing this "step" again. It "happened" before, but you didn't understand/expect it. Time to try again and KNOW what to expect...

mc12345678:

As to what you expect to see during that? That's why you're doing this "step" again. It "happened" before, but you didn't understand/expect it. Time to try again and KNOW what to expect...
I agree, and that is why i am doing this.
The question about expectation is that now, with the "zencartclone2" DB, when I go in the back end of that store (that i didn't "re-upgrade" yet), it already shows that it is the correct version (1.5.5e) and THAT is what i don't understand. The only thing i did was have a clone of the live site DB (and i can see customer orders from today in the backend of the storetest, so i know it is the correct DB). Or maybe i was supposed to backtrack even more? put back the ADMIN and the INCLUDES files as they were in addition to the "downgraded" DB?

CaroleAs:

I agree, and that is why i am doing this.
The question about expectation is that now, with the "zencartclone2" DB, when I go in the back end of that store (that i didn't "re-upgrade" yet), it already shows that it is the correct version (1.5.5e) and THAT is what i don't understand. The only thing i did was have a clone of the live site DB (and i can see customer orders from today in the backend of the storetest, so i know it is the correct DB). Or maybe i was supposed to backtrack even more? put back the ADMIN and the INCLUDES files as they were in addition to the "downgraded" DB?
Ahh, so may not have actually completed the zc_install process. Apologies I didn't guide/question further.

Top right corner: software version.
In the version link: both software version and then history of database regarding upgrades... ie. complete version info.

So... may still actually be at the first step not the "surprise" we're done with the upgrade to do again step...

mc12345678:

Ahh, so may not have actually completed the zc_install process. Apologies I didn't guide/question further.

Top right corner: software version.
In the version link: both software version and then history of database regarding upgrades... ie. complete version info.

So... may still actually be at the first step not the "surprise" we're done with the upgrade to do again step...

Hum.... I have this:
Zen Cart 1.5.5e
Database Patch Level: 1.5.0
v1.5.0 [2012-02-23 07:42:30] (Version Update 1.3.9->1.5.0)
v1.3.9h [2011-01-27 15:29:47] (Version Update 1.3.8->1.3.9h)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)

So what is upgraded? the zc_install? obviously not the DB as i can read it is at level 1.5.0

So, now, where do i go? Do i run the zc_install again? just for the DB or the store itself (noticing that it is currently displaying the default zencart template)?

CaroleAs:

Hum.... I have this:
Zen Cart 1.5.5e
Database Patch Level: 1.5.0
v1.5.0 [2012-02-23 07:42:30] (Version Update 1.3.9->1.5.0)
v1.3.9h [2011-01-27 15:29:47] (Version Update 1.3.8->1.3.9h)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)

So what is upgraded? the zc_install? obviously not the DB as i can read it is at level 1.5.0

So, now, where do i go? Do i run the zc_install again? just for the DB or the store itself (noticing that it is currently displaying the default zencart template)?
The files have been upgraded (ZC 1.5.5e), the database has not. The zc_install should have been from the same set of files as the ZC 1.5.5e store files.

My suggestion right now would be to use the ZC 1.5.5e zc_install that came with the files put on the server (way back when) and the database that has been cloned from your current live site (afterall, that's basically the database that has to be updated right? Not some other database that may/may not have issues) and do the database upgrade using the zc_install.

Watch for options, choices, etc... this part has to be completed in order to do the same thing to your live site. Hopefully also as was pointed out before (I thought by frank18), the latest version of ZC 1.5.5e was used.

On my way to do that, and to be sure, i'll record my steps!!!
(so you can tell me what i am doing wrong if i mess up ;) )

SUCCESS...

It updated and i saw the several steps go through. Now, the version history shows this:

Zen Cart 1.5.5e
Database Patch Level: 1.5.5
v1.5.5e [2017-09-01 16:12:38] (Version Update 1.5.4->1.5.5e)
v1.5.4 [2017-09-01 16:12:37] (Version Update 1.5.3->1.5.4)
v1.5.3 [2017-09-01 16:12:37] (Version Update 1.5.2->1.5.3)
v1.5.2 [2017-09-01 16:12:36] (Version Update 1.5.1->1.5.2)
v1.5.1 [2017-09-01 16:12:36] (Version Update 1.5.0->1.5.1)
v1.5.0 [2012-02-23 07:42:30] (Version Update 1.3.9->1.5.0)
v1.3.9h [2011-01-27 15:29:47] (Version Update 1.3.8->1.3.9h)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)

The front end is the default zencart image. Changing template to mine, it looks good (still have to reset the sideboxes, but that is simple enough).

So is that what should be happening? Is it supposed to be "that simple" in the end? (after 2 weeks of struggling)
Is there another test needed for this before... gulp... going to the live store?

CaroleAs:

SUCCESS...

It updated and i saw the several steps go through. Now, the version history shows this:

Zen Cart 1.5.5e
Database Patch Level: 1.5.5
v1.5.5e [2017-09-01 16:12:38] (Version Update 1.5.4->1.5.5e)
v1.5.4 [2017-09-01 16:12:37] (Version Update 1.5.3->1.5.4)
v1.5.3 [2017-09-01 16:12:37] (Version Update 1.5.2->1.5.3)
v1.5.2 [2017-09-01 16:12:36] (Version Update 1.5.1->1.5.2)
v1.5.1 [2017-09-01 16:12:36] (Version Update 1.5.0->1.5.1)
v1.5.0 [2012-02-23 07:42:30] (Version Update 1.3.9->1.5.0)
v1.3.9h [2011-01-27 15:29:47] (Version Update 1.3.8->1.3.9h)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)
v1.3.8 [2009-02-13 04:51:56] (Fresh Installation)

The front end is the default zencart image. Changing template to mine, it looks good (still have to reset the sideboxes, but that is simple enough).

So is that what should be happening? Is it supposed to be "that simple" in the end? (after 2 weeks of struggling)
Is there another test needed for this before... gulp... going to the live store?
There are all sorts of "POSSIBLE" tests, but I would recommend thinking about what test(s) you believe you need...

Starting with this first "self-help" thought: what is the purpose of your store and is it possible to accomplish?

Also, as far as: is it that easy? Well, you want to look through the logs directory to see what error(s) if any were or are being generated. Including the install files. Messages like can't add this because it already exists or can't remove this because it is already missing can be ignored. (duplicate action just means something/someone took care of some of the necessary changes early).

Now something about the sideboxes and you said you'd have to go reset them and all. Understand that such options/resetting are all related to the database and you could generate a sql file that would do all of those settings in a snap.

Two weeks, yup, you've been thrown under the waterfall with information, done a lot of trial and error to figure things out, but in the end? An operational site doesn't take that long once have overcome some knowledge gaps. :)

Another way to look at the "is there another test" aspect, how comfortable do you feel in doing this? Do you have the backups needed to restore/recover? Have you tried "creating" a backup site that operates using the old files and a copy of the old database and run through the entire process of replacing it and upgrading it?
Have you set aside a date/time to attempt the upgrade leaving yourself some time afterwards to address any issues that prevent meeting your goal identified above?

Don't forget as mentioned much earlier, the applicable, payment, shipping, and order total modules that have changed may require removing and reinstalling (done within the admin panel).

Also, as far as: is it that easy? Well, you want to look through the logs directory to see what error(s) if any were or are being generated. Including the install files. Messages like can't add this because it already exists or can't remove this because it is already missing can be ignored. (duplicate action just means something/someone took care of some of the necessary changes early).
I didn't know about that. Thanks.

Two weeks, yup, you've been thrown under the waterfall with information, done a lot of trial and error to figure things out, but in the end? An operational site doesn't take that long once have overcome some knowledge gaps. :)
Yeah, that is what i meant. I learned a lot though!

Another way to look at the "is there another test" aspect, how comfortable do you feel in doing this? Do you have the backups needed to restore/recover? Have you tried "creating" a backup site that operates using the old files and a copy of the old database and run through the entire process of replacing it and upgrading it?
Probably what i'll do. Now that i "understand" more about database, I can see that i can make a copy of my live site (on a subdomain), clone the database (to not touch the live one), adjust the configure.php files, and then, go through the upgrade process again. Is that what you are talking about?

Super simple additional question. I am searching but turning in circles.
When i get to upgrade, do i copy only the zc_install folder to my site or all the other folders?
My guess is that all the other folders are for new install, while the zc_install alone is enough for an UPGRADE. Is that correct?

(still not working on the live store but testing again)

CaroleAs:

Super simple additional question. I am searching but turning in circles.
When i get to upgrade, do i copy only the zc_install folder to my site or all the other folders?
My guess is that all the other folders are for new install, while the zc_install alone is enough for an UPGRADE. Is that correct?

(still not working on the live store but testing again)

No no. The zc_install folder is used only temporarily to perform the database-content upgrade step. All the other folders are the actual Zen Cart application software. So in essence everything gets copied over.

DrByte:

No no. The zc_install folder is used only temporarily to perform the database-content upgrade step. All the other folders are the actual Zen Cart application software. So in essence everything gets copied over.

So i am expecting lots of overwrites then, correct?

CaroleAs:

So i am expecting lots of overwrites then, correct?
Yes and no.

You can do overwrites, but then you need to also go and delete any files that need to be removed, too.

What I usually do is copy each directory over as a new name, then once all the files are ready I rename the directories to what they're supposed to be.

ie: you already have an /includes/ directory.
I usually copy the new one in as includes_new
and then once it's all uploaded, I rename /includes to /includes_old, and then /includes_new to /includes
Wash, rinse, repeat for all directories.

Then when finally finished I remove all the xxxxxxx_old directories.