How to clone a site to mess with changes and upgrades

I just learned a huge lesson about not working on a live site with Imange Handler 2. None of my pop up images worked for some reason. Luckily I had a back up ready to go.

Anyways, I'm familiar with backing up my database with the available contribution and I have downloaded all my files in all folders. What I want to do is clone the site on the same server and try to get image handler to work. How do I go about this? I can't imagine ssl still working if I just copied into a new folder. If only SSL won't work that's fine.

I'm going through the process myself. A quick search returned these threads that speak to your question:

http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/LocalCopySite

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64632&highlight=copy+site

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61069&highlight=xampp

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64218&highlight=copy+site

In how to do it I can’t help you . as some one did it for me
But I know the SSL is working on my clone site,
I am sure there is a way to remove it

Thanks for the links. I should have been more clear. I want to clone the site on the same webserver my site is on. I don't have the software required to run a site on my computer.

Do you actually want the clone on the remote server, or just think you need it there?

It is perfectly practical (and pretty easy) to install a server package on a pc and work on your site locally. My computer is six years old and does it fine.

I want it on the server. This is because I don't know what my webhost has installed. Small things like the GD thing for image handler I would have no idea how to install or enable. It would be easier to just clone it on my webhost. Furthermore, I am very new at this stuff and installing a server on my computer is likely beyond my scope.

The directions for copying are pretty much the same no matter where you are copying to. You just need to be careful to keep the new database and files separate when on the same server.

There may be good reasons to use the same server if your host has unusual settings for important things, but a single packaged server download will have everything you need to set up Zen Cart. I did it knowing nothing about servers, and had no instruction articles to follow. It took me a bit of trial & error, but there are now good guides that you can follow step by step.

Working locally for development makes everything more convenient and quicker.