Missing Upgrade Button - Problem sessions issue.

I am trying to upgrade from ZC v1.5.6c to v2.1.0. I was recommended to me in another post to attempt the Database-Only Upgrade method so I am following those instructions.

Steps taken: I uploaded a clean files installation of ZC v2.1.0 into a folder, and am attempting to attach my existing database to the new site files. Per the instructions of Database-Only Upgrade. I have ported over the 2 config files, matching my database name, user, and password same as was working before the upgrade, I merged the new data. Now I am running the zc_install or upgrade script.

Issue: The first step of the upgrade on the install page, does not have an upgrade button. I am sure the DB_PREFIX is correct as there is no prefix in my existing installation database. I also see this error: Some problems that need fixing before we continue. Problems with session support. I have also tried changing this setting in config files: define('SQL_CACHE_METHOD', ''); to define('SQL_CACHE_METHOD', 'database'); to see if that helps with the sessions notice.

I cannot get to the "Upgrade" option since the upgrade button is not showing. Not sure what to try next.

I found these lines in my error log. not sure what laravel is but there is no folder with that name.

[22-Mar-2025 13:50:01 America/Chicago] PHP Fatal error:  Uncaught PDOException: SQLSTATE[42S02]: Base table or view not found: 1146 Table 'coolster_cart.plugin_control' doesn't exist in /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Connection.php:414
Stack trace:
#0 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Connection.php(414): PDO->prepare('select * from `...')
#1 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Connection.php(753): Illuminate\Database\Connection->Illuminate\Database\{closure}('select * from `...', Array)
#2 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Connection.php(720): Illuminate\Database\Connection->runQueryCallback('select * from `...', Array, Object(Closure))
#3 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Connection.php(405): Illuminate\Database\Connection->run('select * from `...', Array, Object(Closure))
#4 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Query/Builder.php(2705): Illuminate\Database\Connection->select('select * from `...', Array, true)
#5 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Query/Builder.php(2694): Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder->runSelect()
#6 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Query/Builder.php(3230): Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder->Illuminate\Database\Query\{closure}()
#7 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Query/Builder.php(2693): Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder->onceWithColumns(Array, Object(Closure))
#8 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Eloquent/Builder.php(710): Illuminate\Database\Query\Builder->get(Array)
#9 /MyPath/public_html/laravel/vendor/illuminate/database/Eloquent/Builder.php(694): Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Builder->getModels(Array)
#10 /MyPath/public_html/includes/classes/PluginManager.php(31): Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Builder->get()
#11 /MyPath/public_html/includes/application_top.php(298): Zencart\PluginManager\PluginManager->getInstalledPlugins()
#12 /MyPath/public_html/index.php(25): require('/MyPath/...')
#13 {main}

OK,problem solved! I re-installed all files and then lowered PHP from 8.3 to 8.2. Solve the problem.

I apologize in not reading the current database only upgrade method or I would have advised differently.

Everyone has their own way of doing things but I prefer to let the files do the work instead of my hitting an errant key or having accidently set capS LOCK to on.:P

I will do an entire new install on the test site. This does all the config file settings for you. And, yes, it creates the new database.

After installing, I delete the new database and add the old.

The only remaining step is to run zc_install again to update the database.

IMHO, this way eliminates human and ftp error.

dbltoe:

I apologize in not reading the current database only upgrade method or I would have advised differently.

Everyone has their own way of doing things but I prefer to let the files do the work instead of my hitting an errant key or having accidently set capS LOCK to on.:P

I will do an entire new install on the test site. This does all the config file settings for you. And, yes, it creates the new database.

After installing, I delete the new database and add the old.

The only remaining step is to run zc_install again to update the database.

IMHO, this way eliminates human and ftp error.

Either way, the newer site file installation pointed me in that direction, was the better way to go versus standard upgrade. I would have just did the more normal update method before your advice. This way cleaned up many years of older plugins and template modifications that would have just been left dormant in the older site files. Great suggestion!

dbltoe:

I apologize in not reading the current database only upgrade method or I would have advised differently.

Everyone has their own way of doing things but I prefer to let the files do the work instead of my hitting an errant key or having accidently set capS LOCK to on.:P

I will do an entire new install on the test site. This does all the config file settings for you. And, yes, it creates the new database.

After installing, I delete the new database and add the old.

The only remaining step is to run zc_install again to update the database.

IMHO, this way eliminates human and ftp error.

I have tried this hack and I do not get the update button.

My old database is 5.7.23 and supports ZC 1.5.5e
In a test folder, I did a complete install of the new 2.1.0 and , everything worked fine
I went in phpmyAdmin and dropped all the tables and imported all the tables from the old 1.5.5e Data base
I still do not get a update button, only a clean install button
I tried switching to php8.1, the php8.2, and then php8.3 - no update button

Any ideas of what I might be doing wrong. I only want the products with description and customers.

Also when I get to the database button on the install I can see that the install program is seeing the DB Name, user , and password--and they are correct.

@Dan4store, there is something you did not mentioned, on what version of MySQL server are you trying to do the install?

pilou2:

@Dan4store, there is something you did not mentioned, on what version of MySQL server are you trying to do the install?

The server is mySql 5.7.23-23 and the old zc is1.5.5e I had the old store running on php5xx and when I switched to 8.3 the old store was broken.

MySQL 5.7.23 should work with ZC 2.1.0, although I would recommend using MySQL v8.x.x.
There is most probably a problem with you old database import.
Did you backup your database before upgrading PHP? If so and you used phpMyAdmin 4.9.11, your backup should be OK. I you used phpMyAdmin 5.x.x with php 8, I am not sure you backup would be good. In other words, the database backup should be done when the old site is still working by exporting database to an sql file.
Then you can change php and/or MySQL versions and do ZC v2.1.0 install.
After that you can import your old database. You should have 96 tables if no plugins added more. Checks that tables like products, customers, addres_book, ... have data.
The table project_version's column 'project_version_major' should read 1 and column 'project_version_minor' should read 5.5e or 5.5.
If a problem occurs during import, there should be a mysql log file in MySQL sever.

My hosting company loads the PHP and now that I went to 8 I can not go back to anything that is less than 8.1 mySql is all preset as well as the PHP. I did down load the database before went to php8.1 I have down loaded the database again, after I went to PHP8 and I have tried both. Neither has worked.

Hi Dan4store
Sorry to hear that you are having issues upgrading your site. I recall having a similar issue when I upgraded to 2.1.0. Unfortunately, I don’t have detailed notes on how I fixed this issue. Do you know what setting you had for your old sites 'DB_CHARSET' in the configure files (e.g. utf8 or utf8mb4)?

I would consider trying the following:

1. Make sure you have a backup.
2. My notes suggest it was necessary to switch to PHP 8.0 to upgrade (higher versions 8.1 and 8.2 did not work for me).
3. If the upgrade button appears – continue the process.
4. If this works you may need to then run the database conversion tool to convert to utf8mb4 (if your old site used utf8).
   I believe the database conversion tool may not be compatible with php 8.3. (my notes show that I switched to PHP 8 before converting).
5. In my case, it was then necessary to change the database server connection collation to utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci (this can be changed in PHPmyadmin).

In my opinion, your host should not have denied you the ability to change back the PHP version. I would strongly recommend you look at switching to another website host.

Some hosts offer the following features which make upgrading much easier:

Host 2 or more websites (you only need to pay for one domain and use the other site as a staging or test site).

Backup or copy/move databases in one click.

Ability to switch to older PHP versions.

I hope this helps you complete your upgrade. If you are looking to move host, I would suggest looking at 20i – I have been using them for several years and they seem well ahead of the competition.
Richard

I finally got the update button. I was playing with the database files trying to see if I could import my old data and got an error code. I tried the install software one more time and there it was. I then deleted the new database and imported the old 1.5.5.e and in a few minutes there it was. All my data. Thx guys for all your help