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upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

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22 Dec 2025, 2:46 PM
#1
delia avatar

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upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

I'm doing this in a subdomain as so to have the php level correct. But when I try to upgrade, I am not given the upgrade button. The screen says this could be due to an incrorrect db prefix. It is not. I've checked against the original config files. dbI've gone over everything I can think of. Since moving and editing a config file when using a subdomain can be tricky, I've truly been very careful. the only weirdness I see is that in cpanel the new db copied over database shows 37 mg and the old one is 287 which is the correct size. I downloaded the 'new' and the size does show correctly.

The only other thing I can think of is this dang server. When I uploaded the zip file of the 210 version, hosting said the file permissions were all wrong (666) and I had to get hosting to run a script. All are now 644. Since I've not had a problem with file permissions before, I'm not sure what that is about.

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24 Dec 2025, 1:51 PM
#2
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

Sigh. figured it out and no I'm not saying. But what I did to figure it out is important. I created a new database for the domain. Then ran the install for new cart. Then compared the created config files to what I had. Immediately became evident what the mistake was.

Oh, and I also deleted an un used database user......

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16 Feb 2026, 3:13 AM
#3
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

I'm doing a Clean install to 2.1.0 from an older 1.58e and hope to use my old data base. I backed up "my site and data base" and I'm doing a install in a sub-folder. I created the new data base (name, PW, etc) then imported the old data into the new data base and when I go to the do the zc_install I don't get the UPGRADE button. I have double checked the configure.php and the dist-configure.php file and the new data base name and the prefixes are right. IT SAYS---- in the configure.php file "These must be the SAME as you're using in your admin copy of configure.php" I'm only seeing a configuration.php file in there and there is noting about data base names in there. Am I looking in the wrong place?

16 Feb 2026, 4:04 AM
#4
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

The two configure.php files are in ../YOUR_ADMIN/includes/ and in ../includes/ folders (replacing YOUR_ADMIN by the actual admin folder name).

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16 Feb 2026, 10:41 AM
#5
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

And if you don't get an "Upgrade" button, it's almost always DB_PREFIX or DB_DATABASE that's wrong.

https://docs.zen-cart.com/user/upgrading/installer_no_upgrade/

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16 Feb 2026, 12:15 PM
#6
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

This has not changed, correct????
define('DB_SERVER', 'localhost'); // address of your db server

16 Feb 2026, 12:34 PM
#7
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

Dan4store:

This has not changed, correct????
define('DB_SERVER', 'localhost'); // address of your db server
Whether or not the value has changed depends on your webhost and their required settings.

I'n your initial posting you said:

I'm doing a Clean install to 2.1.0 from an older 1.58e and hope to use my old data base.

I'll note that there was no such version of Zen Cart released. There was a 1.5.5e and a 1.5.8a, but no 1.5.8e.

16 Feb 2026, 2:20 PM
#8
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

lat9:

Whether or not the value has changed depends on your webhost and their required settings.

I'n your initial posting you said:

I'll note that there was no such version of Zen Cart released. There was a 1.5.5e and a 1.5.8a, but no 1.5.8e.

You are correct , it was v1.5.5e and I checked with the hosting company, and ('DB_SERVER', 'localhost'); is correct. I have file permissions and all good there.
I exported the old data (I want to use) and imported into the new data base via phpMyadmin. The admin info inside the new data base should be OK and will work itself out when I get further down the process of the install. Correct???? I used the control panel mysql wizard to make the new data base.

My hosting company highest php is 8.1 and this site is set to that. Good there!
The two configure.php files are in ../YOUR_ADMIN/includes/ and in ../includes/ have the (Database name, user and PW) with prefixes correct and in place.
Can anyone think of something I'm missing? or that I have done wrong?

16 Feb 2026, 2:22 PM
#9
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

You are correct , it was v1.5.5e and I checked with the hosting company, and ('DB_SERVER', 'localhost'); is correct. I have file permissions and all good there.
I exported the old data (I want to use) and imported into the new data base via phpMyadmin. The admin info inside the new data base should be OK and will work itself out when I get further down the process of the install. Correct???? I used the control panel mysql wizard to make the new data base.

My hosting company highest php is 8.1 and this site is set to that. Good there!
The two configure.php files are in ../YOUR_ADMIN/includes/ and in ../includes/ have the (Database name, user and PW) with prefixes correct and in place.
Can anyone think of something I'm missing? or that I have done wrong?

16 Feb 2026, 4:21 PM
#10
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

Dan4store:

You are correct , it was v1.5.5e and I checked with the hosting company, and ('DB_SERVER', 'localhost'); is correct. I have file permissions and all good there.
I exported the old data (I want to use) and imported into the new data base via phpMyadmin. The admin info inside the new data base should be OK and will work itself out when I get further down the process of the install. Correct???? I used the control panel mysql wizard to make the new data base.

My hosting company highest php is 8.1 and this site is set to that. Good there!
The two configure.php files are in ../YOUR_ADMIN/includes/ and in ../includes/ have the (Database name, user and PW) with prefixes correct and in place.
Can anyone think of something I'm missing? or that I have done wrong?

My hosting company did let me go to php8.3 but still can't get the update button. If anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears. Thx in advance

16 Feb 2026, 7:23 PM
#11
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

upgrading from 1.5.5e to 2.10

16 Feb 2026, 8:06 PM
#12
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

You say that you used the database mysql wizard. Did it assign a privileged user to your database? Go to cPanel -> Manage My Databases and see if there's a user assigned to your new database. If not, assign it and give it all privileges.

Only the frontend configure.php file is relevant for the upgrade, but it's a good idea to keep them in sync.

Check your includes/configure.php and make sure your database user and password are valid and allowed to access the database to which you imported the old one. So, you had to create the new database, then create a user, then assign the user to that database and set its privileges. That user and that password must be in your includes/configure.php file. If not, you don't get the upgrade button and will be prompted to enter database user/password for a fresh install.

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17 Feb 2026, 2:05 AM
#13
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

balihr:

You say that you used the database mysql wizard. Did it assign a privileged user to your database? Go to cPanel -> Manage My Databases and see if there's a user assigned to your new database. If not, assign it and give it all privileges.

Only the frontend configure.php file is relevant for the upgrade, but it's a good idea to keep them in sync.

Check your includes/configure.php and make sure your database user and password are valid and allowed to access the database to which you imported the old one. So, you had to create the new database, then create a user, then assign the user to that database and set its privileges. That user and that password must be in your includes/configure.php file. If not, you don't get the upgrade button and will be prompted to enter database user/password for a fresh install.

Yes the Database user set up user with full privileges. The user, database, and password are in both configure.php files.

When I go to install it the page comes up with a clean install only. And says..............
An existing configure.php file was found, indicating a pre-existing installation. You may upgrade using the button below (if there is no Upgrade button, perhaps your DB_PREFIX does not match the database?

The DB_PREFIX is blank but I have tried to put my account name 'mydomain_' as the prefix. That did not work. The old ZC files (1.5.5e) were blank and worked for years that way.

'mydomain_DB'
'mydomain_UserName'
'PW'
Is all like it is suppose to be. The user has been created with full privileges assigned to the database.

17 Feb 2026, 4:31 PM
#14
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

Post the 155e includes/configure.php file but blank out DB_PASSWORD.

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17 Feb 2026, 4:46 PM
#15
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

Dan4store:

Yes the Database user set up user with full privileges. The user, database, and password are in both configure.php files.

When I go to install it the page comes up with a clean install only. And says..............
An existing configure.php file was found, indicating a pre-existing installation. You may upgrade using the button below (if there is no Upgrade button, perhaps your DB_PREFIX does not match the database?

The DB_PREFIX is blank but I have tried to put my account name 'mydomain_' as the prefix. That did not work. The old ZC files (1.5.5e) were blank and worked for years that way.

'mydomain_DB'
'mydomain_UserName'
'PW'
Is all like it is suppose to be. The user has been created with full privileges assigned to the database.

if the existing configure has a blank prefix and that works, then it should remain as a blank prefix.

do you have a file here:

includes/local/configure.php;

if so, that could be your problem.

i would also examine your configure file. check that it has:

define('SESSION_STORAGE', 'temporary value added by zc_install');

somewhere inside of it. if that is not there, that could also be the cause of your distress...

best.

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17 Feb 2026, 7:50 PM
#16
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

swguy:

Post the 155e includes/configure.php file but blank out DB_PASSWORD.

<?php /** * @copyright Copyright 2003-2024 Zen Cart Development Team * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce * @license <http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt> GNU Public License V2.0 * File Built by Zen Cart Installer on Sun Feb 15 2026 21:27:39 */ /*************** NOTE: This file is VERY similar to, but DIFFERENT from the "store" version of configure.php. ***********/ /*************** The 2 files should be kept separate and not used to overwrite each other. ***********/ /** * Enter the domain for your Admin URL. If you have SSL, enter the correct https address in the HTTP_SERVER setting, instead of just an http address. */ define('HTTP_SERVER', 'https://led4rv.com'); /** * Note about HTTPS_SERVER: * There is no longer an HTTPS_SERVER setting for the Admin. Instead, put your SSL URL in the HTTP_SERVER setting above. */ /** * Note about DIR_WS_ADMIN * The DIR_WS_ADMIN value is now auto-detected. * In the rare case where it cannot be detected properly, you can add your own DIR_WS_ADMIN definition below. */ /** * Enter the domain for your storefront URL. * Enter a separate SSL URL in HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER if your store supports SSL. */ define('HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER', 'https://led4rv.com'); define('HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER', 'https://led4rv.com'); /** * Do you use SSL for your customers login/checkout on the storefront? If so, enter 'true'. Else 'false'. */ define('ENABLE_SSL_CATALOG', 'true'); /** * These DIR_WS_xxxx values refer to the name of any subdirectory in which your store is located. * These values get added to the HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER and HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER values to form the complete URLs to your storefront. * They should always start and end with a slash ... ie: '/' or '/foldername/' */ define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/catalog2/'); define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/catalog2/'); /** * This is the complete physical path to your store's files. eg: /var/www/vhost/accountname/public_html/store/ * Should have a closing / on it. */ define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/home3/ledfourv/public_html/catalog2/'); /** * NOTE about DIR_FS_ADMIN * The value for DIR_FS_ADMIN is now auto-detected. * In the very rare case where there is a need to override the autodetection, simply add your own definition for it below. */ /** * The following settings define your database connection. * These must be the SAME as you're using in your non-admin copy of configure.php */ define('DB_TYPE', 'mysql'); // always 'mysql' define('DB_PREFIX', ' '); // prefix for database table names -- preferred to be left empty define('DB_CHARSET', 'utf8mb4'); // 'utf8mb4' required. If using older 'utf8' or 'latin1', convert your database to utf8mb4. See conversion util in docs site. define('DB_SERVER', 'localhost'); // address of your db server define('DB_SERVER_USERNAME', 'ledfourv_flow5'); define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD', 'PWXXXXX'); define('DB_DATABASE', 'ledfourv_z2105'); /** * This is an advanced setting to determine whether you want to cache SQL queries. * Options are 'none' (which is the default) and 'file' and 'database'. */ define('SQL_CACHE_METHOD', 'none'); /** * Reserved for future use */ define('SESSION_STORAGE', 'reserved for future use'); /** * Advanced use only: * The following are OPTIONAL, and should NOT be set unless you intend to change their normal use. Most sites will leave these untouched. * To use them, uncomment AND add a proper defined value to them. */ // define('DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE' ... // define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD' ... // define('DIR_FS_LOGS' ... // End Of File
17 Feb 2026, 8:00 PM
#17
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

carlwhat:

if the existing configure has a blank prefix and that works, then it should remain as a blank prefix.

do you have a file here:

includes/local/configure.php;

if so, that could be your problem.

i would also examine your configure file. check that it has:

define('SESSION_STORAGE', 'temporary value added by zc_install');

> 
> somewhere inside of it.  if that is not there, that could also be the cause of your distress...
> 
> best.

There is no local dir under includes but there is one in the admin under includes. All that is in there is a file "skip_version_check.ini"

It says define('SESSION_STORAGE', 'reserved for future use'); in both of the configure files
17 Feb 2026, 8:18 PM
#18
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

Dan4store:

define('DB_PREFIX', ' '); // prefix for database table names -- preferred to be left empty
DB_PREFIX is a space?! Would that really create tables with a space prefix? For example ' address_book'?

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17 Feb 2026, 8:40 PM
#19
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

Agreed - this looks odd. Please change to

define('DB_PREFIX', '');

No space - just one quote and then the next quote.

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17 Feb 2026, 8:45 PM
#20
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Re: upgrading from 1.5.8a to 2.10

If you open ledfourv_flow5 in phpMyAdmin, do you see "address_book" as the first table?

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