Total beginner, totally confused!

Hi,

My name's Guy, this is my first post. I was tired of having issues with Java when updating my site, so I decided to splash out and spend $50 on the domain for a proper site, and make use of Zen Cart. I've been using Fedora Core for a few years, but this is the first time I've had a go at building a site, and I can't seem to get past the initial stages.

I've followed the instructions at https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=107, using Filezilla to attempt to upload ZC, but when I go to my site (https://www.hodistro.com) as suggested I get a 404 message.

Please ask any questions that you think would give you the info to be able to help me out here.

Thanks,

Guy

What is the full path name on the server to your Zen Cart's index.php file?

I think it's zencart/index.php

OK. But to help you I need to know what the full path name actually is, not how you think it might end.

Just to clarify, it's the part of the path that shows your zencart code's position relative to your account's root directory that I'm interested in, rather than your account's position relative to the server root.

I'm not totally sure what you're asking me for- do you mean where the file is on the computer that I have downloaded ZC onto? Sorry if this is a bit basic, but I really am a complete novice! Thanks!

No. I assume that you downloaded Zen Cart and unzipped it following the advice given on the FAQ entry you cited. And then that you used FileZilla to upload the resulting files to your web host. It's the location of those files on your web host that I'm trying to ascertain.

(P.S. No need to apologize for being new at this, we've all been there :yes:)

Yup, followed all the instructions as per the how-to; downloaded ZC, and then uploaded the files to the domain I've got. The location that I gave above is where I think the index file is- I'm reading that from the 'Remote Location' window on the right side of Filezilla.

Unfortunately that's only telling us where the files are relative to this ftp account's allowed folder, not relative to the hosting account root.

Are there any other folders at the same level as zencart. In particular public_html, htdocs or www?

Does your hosting account have a File Manager facility that would allow you see your whole account's structure and not just the ftp-permissible bit?

There are 2 other folders at that level- 'logs' & 'tmp'.

Not sure about the file manager facility- I'm using plzhost, and the guy whose email I have for supprt help hasn't replied. I contacted him 4 days ago now! Here's the package I went for- http://www.plzhost.com/zenpack.html

PLZ Host are a certified Zen Cart Host which means that they have given undertakings that include superior service and a free Zen Cart installation. Sounds like they're not living up to that, which I am sure will come to the Zen Cart team's attention.

In the meantime, do you have any form of control panel for logging into and managing your account?

Ok, I've found the control panel thing for plzhost, and I've run through the 'getting started' wizard, although it's not helpful at this point. What am I looking for again?

You host claims to offer customers CPanel access to their accounts, so you are looking for File Manager, which should up in the root of your hosting account. From there you need to work out the path to the location where you Zen Cart files have been uploaded.

Ok, found the File Manager! Here's what I have-

At the moment your zencart files are sitting outside of the path available to web. You need to move either the zencart folder into public_html (using that move file icon 4th from the left) in which case your store will be located at https://www.hodistro.com/zencart or move the files and folders inside the zencart folder directly to public_html in which case your store will be installed in your site's root and have address https://www.hodistro.com.

I like the sound of the second option better, so here's what I have now-

That's the right structure, but, unless you did an installation of Zen Cart on your local machine before uploading the resulting files, it's rather looking as though not all the files made it to the right locations. To be safe, I'd recommend deleting the Zen Cart files that you have there and re-uploading the lot to try to get a complete set, but this time directly to public_html. That's a bit of a pain, but you are motoring in the right direction now.

Alright! Got the installation underway, but it's late and it's going to have to wait until the weekend before I have another stab at it. Thanks again for the help.

The guy got back to me yesterday, and he has been very helpful thus far, responding very quickly each time I make an enquiry. I have used Fantastico, and now I have ZC set up! It was very fast and easy, next I need to work out how to edit everything. I expect there are tutorials for that sort of stuff so I'll get searching. Thanks again for the help.

kuroi:

PLZ Host are a certified Zen Cart Host which means that they have given undertakings that include superior service and a free Zen Cart installation. Sounds like they're not living up to that, which I am sure will come to the Zen Cart team's attention.

In the meantime, do you have any form of control panel for logging into and managing your account?

My name is Jonathan I own PLZhost.com the company in question above. Just so everyone is aware this issue has been closed we have gotten him off and running, and we do not install zen cart right out of the box cause some people want it in a sub folder some people want it to be the first thing you see, some people want to do everything them selves. We wait until asked and then install it.

His site is up and around and we are happy to have him as a client.