Can't Login to Admin

I too, am unable to login the the admin area after a successful install. I can see the demo cart and can register a user account there with no issue.

When I enter my admin login info, I can see (in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window) that it "finds" the index.php, but I am still shot back to the login page.

I have read most of the posts regarding the same issue and nothing seems to work. Do I need to reinstall?

here is my admin config.php :

<?php // /** * * @package Configuration Settings * @copyright Copyright 2003-2006 Zen Cart Development Team * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce * @license <http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt> GNU Public License V2.0 */ /*************** NOTE: This file is similar, but DIFFERENT from the "store" version of configure.php. ***********/ /*************** The 2 files should be kept separate and not used to overwrite each other. ***********/ // Define the webserver and path parameters // Main webserver: eg, <http://localhost> - should not be empty for productive servers // HTTP_SERVER is your Main webserver: eg, <http://www.yourdomain.com> // HTTPS_SERVER is your Secure webserver: eg, <https://www.yourdomain.com> // HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER is your Main webserver: eg, <http://www.yourdomain.com> // HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER is your Secure webserver: eg, <https://www.yourdomain.com> /* * URLs for your site will be built via: * HTTP_SERVER plus DIR_WS_ADMIN or * HTTPS_SERVER plus DIR_WS_HTTPS_ADMIN or * HTTP_SERVER plus DIR_WS_CATALOG or * HTTPS_SERVER plus DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG * ...depending on your system configuration settings */ define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://www.miss-crow.com'); define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://www.miss-crow.com'); define('HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER', 'http://www.miss-crow.com'); define('HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER', 'https://www.miss-crow.com'); // Use secure webserver for catalog module and/or admin areas? define('ENABLE_SSL_CATALOG', 'false'); define('ENABLE_SSL_ADMIN', 'false'); // NOTE: be sure to leave the trailing '/' at the end of these lines if you make changes! // * DIR_WS_* = Webserver directories (virtual/URL) // these paths are relative to top of your webspace ... (ie: under the public_html or httpdocs folder) define('DIR_WS_ADMIN', '/shop/admin/'); define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/shop/'); define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_ADMIN', '/shop/admin/'); define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/shop/'); define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', 'images/'); define('DIR_WS_ICONS', DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'icons/'); define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_IMAGES', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'images/'); define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_TEMPLATE', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'includes/templates/'); define('DIR_WS_INCLUDES', 'includes/'); define('DIR_WS_BOXES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'boxes/'); define('DIR_WS_FUNCTIONS', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'functions/'); define('DIR_WS_CLASSES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'classes/'); define('DIR_WS_MODULES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'modules/'); define('DIR_WS_LANGUAGES', DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'languages/'); define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_LANGUAGES', HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER . DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'includes/languages/'); // * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical) //the following path is a COMPLETE path to your Zen Cart files. eg: /var/www/vhost/accountname/public_html/store/ define('DIR_FS_ADMIN', '/home/cust2/user1439479/html/shop/admin/'); define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/home/cust2/user1439479/html/shop/'); define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_LANGUAGES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/languages/'); define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_IMAGES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'images/'); define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_MODULES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/modules/'); define('DIR_FS_CATALOG_TEMPLATES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'includes/templates/'); define('DIR_FS_BACKUP', DIR_FS_ADMIN . 'backups/'); define('DIR_FS_EMAIL_TEMPLATES', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'email/'); define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'download/'); // define our database connection define('DB_TYPE', 'mysql'); define('DB_PREFIX', 'mc_'); define('DB_SERVER', '216.247.255.142'); define('DB_SERVER_USERNAME', 'xxxxxxx'); define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD', 'xxxxxxx'); define('DB_DATABASE', 'miss_crowcom'); define('USE_PCONNECT', 'false'); // use persistent connections? define('STORE_SESSIONS', 'db'); // use 'db' for best support, or '' for file-based storage // The next 2 "defines" are for SQL cache support. // For SQL_CACHE_METHOD, you can select from: none, database, or file // If you choose "file", then you need to set the DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE to a directory where your apache // or webserver user has write privileges (chmod 666 or 777). We recommend using the "cache" folder inside the Zen Cart folder // ie: /path/to/your/webspace/public_html/zen/cache -- leave no trailing slash define('SQL_CACHE_METHOD', 'database'); define('DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE', '/home/cust2/user1439479/html/shop/cache'); ?>

How did you do the install?
Were there any warnings on the zc_install "system inspection" page?
What version of PHP are you using?
Can you re-upload your zc_install/techsupp.php file to your "shop" folder, and post a link to it?

DrByte:

How did you do the install?
Were there any warnings on the zc_install "system inspection" page?
What version of PHP are you using?
Can you re-upload your zc_install/techsupp.php file to your "shop" folder, and post a link to it?

I followed the instructions listed in 1.readme_installation.html to the letter.

I had Yellow Exclaimation Points for:
PHP API Mode = cgi Click here for more info
PHP Max Execution Time per page = 30

and

PHP Output Buffering (gzip) = OFF

I had no red x's

I am using PHP version 4.3.2 (according to my PHPinfo.php)

Here is the link you requested

In addition, I have just tried to log in to the shop, as the user I successfully created, and cannot do so.

Since you mentioned that the installer didn't give you warnings about PHP and sessions, I suspect maybe you have some sort of privacy software on your computer that's blocking session cookies or other normal handshaking from happening properly.

What browser are you using?
Do you have any firewall software installed?
Does this happen from other computers as well? esp in other locations?

On second thought, I'm pretty sure it's your PHP configuration that's the problem.

It's operating as if the PHP sessions aren't getting established or maintained consistently.

Creating an account ... doesn't. it's as if it just lost all the data entered.
And subsequent logins don't seem to be working.

Plus your server's painfully slow.

This is a long shot, and the answer is likely no, but can you get your host to convert from running PHP as CGI to running it as an Apache module ?

Or it might be the Apache2 that's running on it, esp when running with the very old PHP 4.3.2.
Or it could be the myriad of additional PHP compile-time switches that have been configured.

Can they move you to another server by any chance ?

I am using firefox for a browser (I am on a Mac G5)

I do not have any firewall software installed.

I CAN login on my husbands, PC (I just tried). I cannot login on my old Mac G4.

At least some progress is being made!

Thanks for your continued help.

DrByte running php as CGI wont cause this issue, we do it on several servers and upgrading more and more that way as we go

we do know that apache2 and php4 dont play nice together,
at least not according to apache and php

I would see about getting your host to upgrade to at least php 4.4.7 if not 5.2.3

I tried to create an account on your site and it dosnt even seem to have input the information INTO the db let alone tracked the session

I managed to log in on my mac.

After Dr. Byte helped me realize that I might be dealing with a Mac issue and not a Zen-Cart or database issue, I delved more deeply into my browser settings and (a few other things.)

I cleared my browser cache and cookie (Flock browser), I deselected use SSL 2.0, and I repaired a few permissions on the Mac . However, I cannot login yet through Safari or Firefox.

In addition, I still cannot login as the user I created. (I can see the user in the new customers section. Merlinpa1969, I can see you listed under new customers, as well.

I am seriously considering switching host providers.

I tried to login in IE7 and in FF
I had a no go eitherway

I am in the process of switching host providers. The company I was using was bought out a year ago or so, I really haven't been happy with them since.

I will post when everything is transferred and up and running.

Does your Hosting account provide you with Error logs? They can be especially helpful in these type situations. At least, any type of error msg. would give you something to go on.

It does seem that even if you fix the problem you will probably lose potential business because the pages load so slow.

I am late in reporting, but I switched host providers and everything is now working fine!

Thanks for all your help.

Thank you for the update.