Need a far simpler set of instructions please

Hi,

I just added my second Zen-Cart shop to my server. I used the Fantastico automated function which loaded/installed ZC 1.3.7.1 and created the database for me. The day after doing this, I see that there is the new ZC 1.3.8a version. My servers Fantastico does not yet have this version and since I haven't done anything to the shop other than uploaded a new theme, can someone please tell me:

What is the absolute most simple way to upgrade to the newest version? I have no products loaded, no custom pages no nothin'... It's as raw an upload as it gets, but since I didn't actually install the software (Fantastico did) I simply don't get the whole creating a database and so on and so on... I just want to upgrade. I don't even have the boxes turned on yet. So again, what would you suggest I do? I read the wiki and the tutoral which says there are 3 easy steps to upgrading and for me, there is nothing easy about what it is saying. Creating demo sites, using programs to compare differences, backing up the system to my comp and so on is just too much at the moment... It took me forever to get my other shop close to being right and now I fear I will have to upgrade that one as well and I will more than likely loose that info. Lots of products and such on that one but it's not live yet... Well it was, but then I put it in maintenance mode to make some changes.

Anyone???

Thank you... Most appreciated.

Stop relying on Fantastico to do this for you. It's simple enough to do it yourself and you'll always get the latest version.

Download the latest version of Zen Cart (1.3.8a) using the links on this site.

Unzip the file on your local drive.

FTP the folders and files to your website.

Using your browser go to http://www.yoursite.com/yournewZCfolder/zc_install/ and follow the instructions.

You'll probably only have to run the database upgrade, but since you've made no changes to that cart, you don't have to worry about testing the upgrade or comparing files, so you could run the install if you want.

Thank you for the response... First though, I need some clarification. When you say FTP the files to my server, are you saying that I should take the newest 1.3.8a Zen Cart folder and OVERWRITE my current ZC folder?

For example: My current 1.3.7.1 ZC is at https://www.mysite.com/zcshop/

Are you saying take the folder I downloaded and unzipped from here with the 1.3.8a content and FTP into the same directory and then go to:

https://www.mysite.com/zcshop/zc_install/ ???

Or are you suggesting that I create a whole new directory:

https://www.mysite.com/zcshop2/

And upload the contents there? This is where I am confused. I want to keep the directory name I currently have.

Thanks again...

Your first statement is correct. Since you have no content to protect, just overwrite the existing files, and run zc_install.

You will need to know your database name, db username and password, though. They will be in /includes/configure.php. Copy them to somewhere safe, or just write them down, before overwriting. The installer will most likely ask you for the information, so you will be able to re-enter it if needed.

Okay, so I tried what was suggested. I uploaded the newest version and ran the install/upgrade. It did something strange but then when I logged in to the admin area, it appeared as if it worked. I started to make some changes. The first thing I wanted to do was change the Zen Cart/Powered By text in the Browser. I did what the FAQ said to do. Since I was using a custom template, I edited the meta_tags.php file and put it in the includes/languages/english/mycustomtemplate/ directory and my site vanished. I removed the file and it reappeared. I put it back and it vanished again. I didn't know what was going on and thought maybe that weirdness in the install had something to do with it so I completely deleted the zen cart directory and decided to go ahead and attempt a fresh upload/install.

I created a new DB and uploaded the zen cart folder. I did the install and all seemed right. I uploaded my "mycustomtemplate" into the includes/templates/ directory. I logged in to the admin area, when to template selection and the only thing it showed there was two version so my custom template. Every time I try to choose my custom template the site dissappears. I just don't get it. Now it won't even show the classic or default templates as choices... Just two versions of my custom one. I am loosing it. I have been trying to get this to work for two hours now and I can't even get past the custom template portion... ugh.

Any suggestions???

STFlats:

The first thing I wanted to do was change the Zen Cart/Powered By text in the Browser. I did what the FAQ said to do. Since I was using a custom template, I edited the meta_tags.php file and put it in the includes/languages/english/mycustomtemplate/ directory and my site vanished. I removed the file and it reappeared. I put it back and it vanished again.That's a classic symptom of making an error in the PHP syntax when customizing the file. I've done that. It usually happens to me when I insert a single-quote incorrectly.

Can you post here exactly what you changed, both "from" and "to", including what line number it was on?
What editor did you use?
What FTP program are you using?
What operating system is your server using? (linux vs windows)

In response to afo's instructions - I've found it's a lot better to upload the Zencart .zip file to the server and extract files there (if you have CPanel or something similar). Seems I always have trouble ftping a large number of files, no matter which client I use.

That's a classic symptom of making an error in the PHP syntax when customizing the file. I've done that. It usually happens to me when I insert a single-quote incorrectly.

Can you post here exactly what you changed, both "from" and "to", including what line number it was on?
What editor did you use?
What FTP program are you using?
What operating system is your server using? (linux vs windows)

Okay, well, I didn't actually customize anything. Here's the deal. I bought a ZC template. I put it in the includes/template/ folder on my server. I went to the admin area in my shop and went to tools/template selection as I did before in my other shop. I went to select my new template and the drop down menu only shows the new template. It doesn't even show the 'classic' template choice it used to show. So, I selected the new template and clicked update. I then look at my shop and it wont show up. Just a blank white page.

The change to the meta-tag page was on the installation before this one. Afo suggested I stop using Fantastico to add ZC so that's what I did. The first installation was using Fantastico but it didn't load 1.3.8a, it loaded 1.3.7.1. I upgraded and even though there seemed to be some unexplainable weirdness in that upgrade, it seemed like it worked. I then wanted to change this line that appeared in my browser:

"Zen Cart, The Art of E-Commerce"

So I followed the instructions according the info found in the FAQ. It said to change the "// page title define" and the "// Site Tagline define" as well in the "meta_tags.php" file. So I did that. This file is found here:

includes/languages/english/meta_tags.php

According to the override system, I am supposed to place the edited php file here:

includes/languages/english/CUSTOM/meta_tags.php

As soon as I did this, my site disappeared. And again, this was on my first upgrade attempt. Needless to say I got frustrated and decided to take Afo's advice and try to do the whole installation myself. So I deleted the upgraded version of my Fantastico installation. I created a new database and uploaded the ZC 1.3.8a folder. I followed the installation instructions in the FAQ section, renamed the configure.php files and ran the install function.

All seemed to go well until the very end when I had to change back the permissions for these two files to read only. One worked no problem, but the other didn't seem to take. After I logged in to the new Admin area, I kept getting the warning message that the file needed to be set back to read-only even though I had already done it. It took 7 attempts before it took and the warning vanished.

So, now I think all is well, right? I go to the template selection area and NOTHING IS LISTED THERE. I didn't even upload the custom template yet. It doesn't even show the default templates. I take a chance and upload the custom template, find it in the selection area, select it, hit upgrade, and the site vanishes again. I am so frustrated right now. The custom template worked before and now it doesn't with the new version of ZC.

I am at a loss and am ready to scrap the whole thing. My other shop is just fine but I haven't upgrade it to 1.3.8a and as of right now, I am not going to. It is currently running 1.3.7.1.

I believe my server runs Linux
I use Fillzilla
I use Notepad (which is what I used for my other shop with absolutely no problems)

Should I just removed it all one more time and start over?!?!?

Okay.

Blank screens, as mentioned earlier, are a result of PHP syntax errors. This can be caused by making typos while editing. But it can also happen when files fail to upload completely. And it can also happen if files are uploaded to the wrong folders by mistake.
I'm not sure which of these is the case for your issues.

You mentioned several things.

1. the meta_tags file edit:> STFlats:

I then wanted to change this line that appeared in my browser:

"Zen Cart, The Art of E-Commerce"

So I followed the instructions according the info found in the FAQ. It said to change the "// page title define" and the "// Site Tagline define" as well in the "meta_tags.php" file. So I did that. This file is found here:

includes/languages/english/meta_tags.php

According to the override system, I am supposed to place the edited php file here:

includes/languages/english/CUSTOM/meta_tags.php

As soon as I did this, my site disappeared.

What exactly did you change? what did the edited lines say before and after your changes?
I suspect that something in how you're making the edits is causing an error, and therefore also the blank screen. But without seeing it, it's hard to suggest alternates if that's not the case.
Also make sure there are no extra blank lines at the top or bottom of the file.

2. Missing templates from pulldown list.
   This is usually a result of template files not uploading to the right folders or incomplete uploads.
   Sometimes it's because a template isn't packaged properly and is missing the template_info.php file ... which is used to identify it in the admin pulldown menu for selection, etc.

3. Reinstalling

STFlats:

Should I just removed it all one more time and start over?!?!?

Maybe. But I'd be inclined to do significant testing to be sure things are working right before trying to customize.
Maybe something's wrong with your hosting account ?
If it doesn't work right before you customize things, then there's no point trying to customize.
I can tell you that Zen Cart works great on thousands of sites on a large variety of hosting servers. But there are some servers that are just not tuned well or not properly configured, etc. And there are some that corrupt files consistently during uploads etc. It's a mixed bag.
Our recommended hosts don't usually seem to report upload/install problems.

What is the URL where you're doing this?

Where id you BUY the template?

Maybe. But I'd be inclined to do significant testing to be sure things are working right before trying to customize.
Maybe something's wrong with your hosting account ?
If it doesn't work right before you customize things, then there's no point trying to customize.
I can tell you that Zen Cart works great on thousands of sites on a large variety of hosting servers. But there are some servers that are just not tuned well or not properly configured, etc. And there are some that corrupt files consistently during uploads etc. It's a mixed bag.
Our recommended hosts don't usually seem to report upload/install problems.

It works fine on my server. I know this because I have another shop using ZC on my server at a different domain. That one is currently running 1.3.7.1 but it was installed using my control panel's Fantastico system. I didn't do anything other than add a CUSTOM template and then customized that using the override system listed here.

Where id you BUY the template?
I bought the template for this shop from the same person who sold me the template for my first shop which as already mentioned, worked and works just fine.

What exactly did you change? what did the edited lines say before and after your changes?
In the original meta_tags.php file it reads:

**// page title
define('TITLE', 'Zen Cart!');

// Site Tagline
define('SITE_TAGLINE', 'The Art of E-commerce');
**
I only changed the following:

// page title
define('TITLE', 'MY SHOP NAME');

// Site Tagline
define('SITE_TAGLINE', 'MY SHOP TAGLINE);

Just like the instructions in the FAQ said to do. Nothing more, nothing less. I found the file here:

includes/languages/english/meta_tags.php

and I put the revised file here:

includes/languages/english/custom/meta_tags.php

According to the override system, it was supposed to override the original and put the new Title and Tag Line into the browser header. All it did was make my shop vanish. I deleted it and removed the whole ZC directory planning on starting over completely.

I uploaded ZC 1.3.8a - created a new DB - followed the installation instructions - renamed the 2 configure.php files - changed their permissions - and presto, the shop appeared to be there... Then I uploaded the custom template, when to use it and the drop down menu only showed the custom template name -twice- but not the original templates. When I selected the new one, the shop vanished again. I think what I will do is just delete the whole thing again...:censored: And start over. I dont know what else to do. I am using Filezilla to upload the folders and it is saying that the upload was successful so I don't know what else it could be. Maybe I will download the new ZC again just in case there was something wrong with the first download and see if that makes a difference... IDK

Thanks for the suggestions... I appreciate it.

Then I uploaded the custom template, when to use it and the drop down menu only showed the custom template name -twice- but not the original templates. When I selected the new one, the shop vanished again.

Your template has a problem, not Zen Cart. You need to contact the template builder.

"I only changed the following:

// page title
define('TITLE', 'MY SHOP NAME');

// Site Tagline
define('SITE_TAGLINE', 'MY SHOP TAGLINE);"

What you posted is missing a closing quote ' - was that just a typo in your post, or is it missing from your file?

What you posted is missing a closing quote ' - was that just a typo in your post, or is it missing from your file?

No, I added the quotes here... They are not actually in the file.

Your template has a problem, not Zen Cart. You need to contact the template builder.

I actually think the problem lies in the ZC download. In the last installation I tried, even before I uploaded the custom template, I went into the admin/template selection area and it didn't even show the 'classic' template in the drop-down menu to begin with.

I am just going to remove everything again, re-download ZC and unzip another version of the custom template, but first I am going to delete them from my comp. I will attempt to reinstall everything from the ground up: new ZC, new custom, new DB - everything. Maybe I will get lucky.

Thanks everyone... I'll let you know what happens.

The define statements must have quotes around both the constant name and its definition. If not, it won't work.

// page title
define('TITLE', 'MY SHOP NAME');

// Site Tagline
define('SITE_TAGLINE', 'MY SHOP TAGLINE');

Does your file look like this?

Thanks gjh... I will check the new file.

Okay, I did a completely new upload and install. I downloaded ZC 1.3.8a from a different mirror site and uploaded it. I think that was it because I have a slow connection and it took a whole lot longer uploading the new folder so I am thinking the first download may have become corrupted during it's download.

As of right now, the shop seems to be working and the custom template seems right now. I haven't turned the boxes on or added any products yet, I just wanted to get to the basics. GJH, I will check that file now and make sure it looks as you have put it here and if it doesn't, I will make it so.

Thank you all for your help and I hope this is the final attempt necessary.

gjh42:

The define statements must have quotes around both the constant name and its definition. If not, it won't work.

// page title
define('TITLE', 'MY SHOP NAME');

// Site Tagline
define('SITE_TAGLINE', 'MY SHOP TAGLINE');

Does your file look like this?

Okay... Ugh. This meta-tag thing still isn't working. GJH, this is what the file says:

// page title
define('TITLE', 'Zen Cart!');

// Site Tagline
define('SITE_TAGLINE', 'The Art of E-commerce');

Its the same as what you showed. Heres what I did: I changed 'Zen Cart!' to 'My Shop' and 'The Art of E-commercie' to 'My Tagline' --- I then saved it in a folder called MY_CUSTOM.

The original file is found here:

includes/languages/english/meta_tags.php

According to the override system, I saved the changed file here:

includes/languages/english/MY_CUSTOM/meta_tags.php

When I did this the shop vanished. So I deleted it and the shop reappeared. So, to check and see if it was my template, I put the edited meta_tags.php file here:

includes/languages/english/meta_tags.php, replacing the original thinking it shouldn't make a difference since I only changed the names, but it did. The shop vanished again. Something isn't right with the meta_tags.php file I think.

Any thoughts? Everything else seems fine so far...

You said earlier that you used Notepad for file editing. That can sometimes do funny things to files if you have a setting wrong. If you meant exactly what you wrote, I suggest you download Notepad++ from https://www.sourceforge.net. It is infinitely better than Notepad for file editing, and won't mess up a file by accident.

It may even show you what is wrong with your file copy.

Suddenly I realized that in my configure.php files the code line are not ended with '?>', but just '// End of File'. Is it ok, which version it became this way, I didn't realize it.

That sounds very bad. Is it just the very last line that does this, or all of them? What program did you use to edit the file?

You should compare your copy with a copy from a fresh download and see what's different and what might be missing (aside from the personalized details).