Error encountered while writing /includes/configure.php

My FTP client keeps changing the CHMOD back to 644, after I repeatedly change it to 777. I've tried renaming the file, doing the CHMOD, then naming it back, and same result. My filespace cap is not maxed out or even close.

I have checked the file since this error, and all of my configuration input from the installer has been added so far (including the database information).

Why won't it let me move on?

This seems to be some setting at the server end
Your host can help you with this

well obviously the config files are complete.

is there a .sql file i can import to the database to get the ball rolling and move past this step?

On some hosting sites ... you are not given full control over your site and cannot do what you need to do to run php, MySQL, e-commerce, etc. etc.

As you cannot control permissions via your FTP, you can:

1 attempt to do this through your Control Panel

2 contact your hosting site and see why you don't have control over the site you are paying for

3 ask your host to make these changes and wait for them to respond sometime

4 get a real hosting site that knows what your needs are for php, MySQL, e-commerce, other software beyond an HTML file, etc.

Peek at the Zen Cart Certified Hosting sites if you cannot get things fixed with your hosting site ...

That's just the thing though. I've never had any troubles adjusting the CHMOD properties of any other files before. Ever.

Abe Froman:

That's just the thing though. I've never had any troubles adjusting the CHMOD properties of any other files before. Ever.
Is this the same server, with the same operating system, with the same settings as you were accessing all those other times?

Red Hat / Fedora and others have added a standard feature in the last couple years that's being embraced more and more, called se_linux. This is a security watchdog that keeps a very close eye on any files/folders marked with 777 permissions, and snaps them back to defaults. It can be very handy for a webmaster, but can be intensely frustrating for a developer unless you know how to disable it.

You might want to raise the issue with your host, since you will encounter additional difficulties when uploading file images via the Zen Cart Admin interface, as well as some file-customization that is driven by the admin, thus requiring 777 permissions on some items.

You might point your host to this article, after reviewing it yourself, for a list of things to secure once installation and customization is largely complete. You host will likely be happy to know that you do all of these post-installation:
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Important_Site_Security_Recommendations