Cannot access admin on WAMP on local machine

Have installed the latest wamp from e-novations on my local machine. Did a fresh install of zc 1.3.7.1, then copied all server (live) files to the new local install - minus the configuration files.

Then imported a backup of the live database.

The cart shows up perfectly - just like on the live site (which is working a treat). Obviously the local cart can access the db without problems.

When I type http://localhost/zencart/admin/ into various browsers I get this:

Internet Explorer

http://localhost/zencart/admin/

only shows Cannot find server or DNS Error - The page cannot be displayed

Firefox

http://localhost/zencart/admin/login.php

The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because it uses an invalid or unsupported form of compression.

Netscape

http://localhost/zencart/admin/login.php

produces a blank page

A check in phpMyAdmin shows local db tables identical to the live ones, encoding etc etc.

Emptied the cache(s) and cleared cookies on all 3 browsers - same stuff keeps happening.

Checked the forum for this issue - to no avail.

What could be wrong? :unsure:

Thanks / Frank

https://www.frnt.org/zencart

Is this perhaps related? https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=81

Thanks DrByte, changed it to "off" but same result in all 3 browsers.

Also temporarily replaced admin/index.php with a copy of wamp/index.php - this works fine. Putting admin/index.php back in place gives same errors again.

Was able to access admin before importing copy of live db.

Frank

https://www.frnt.org/zencart

Another FAQ about test servers vs live servers. Process is the same, regardless which direction you're going. https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=99

Thanks DrByte - read the tutorial and ran the query

UPDATE configuration set configuration_value='c:/wamp/www/zencart/cache' WHERE configuration_key='SESSION_WRITE_DIRECTORY';

it returns

Error
SQL query:
UPDATE configuration SET configuration_value = 'c:/wamp/www/zencart/cache' WHERE configuration_key = 'SESSION_WRITE_DIRECTORY'

MySQL said:
#1146 - Table 'zc1.configuration' doesn't exist

zc1 is the name of the database and the table "configuration" does exist with the prefix "zen_" thus reading "zen_configuration" - could the query be re-written accordingly to reflect the correct prefix?

Also downloaded, installed and ran "fix_cache_key.php" - it returns "page not found" in IE and a blank page in Netscape.

Next downloaded a fresh copy of the live database and imported same.

Result is same old: front end displays all ok, all links working, can login to my account, add stuff to the shopping cart etc

Trying to access backend (admin) produces same errors as described in my original post.

I am stumped - time to go to bed and have another go tomorrow with a hopefully clear mind.

Frank

https://www.frnt.org/zencart

Yes, you can add the "zen_" prefix to the query in order to suit the actual names of tables in your database.

Thanks again DrByte,

Ran the query:

UPDATE zen_configuration set configuration_value='c:/wamp/www/zencart/cache' WHERE configuration_key='SESSION_WRITE_DIRECTORY';

MySQL responded with:

Affected rows: 1 (Query took 0.0011 sec)
SQL query:
UPDATE zen_configuration SET configuration_value = 'c:/wamp/www/zencart/cache' WHERE configuration_key = 'SESSION_WRITE_DIRECTORY'

Then emptied cache of all 3 browsers and gave it another try. Result is the same:

IE says: cannot find server - the page cannot be displayed
Netscape: blank page
Firefox: Content Encoding Error - The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because it uses an invalid or unsupported form of compression.

Called http://localhost/zencart/ logged in, placed stuff into the cart, logged out, checked cache for file entries which are shown perfectly.

What else could be done?

Thanks for your help and time with this problem

Frank

Frank Riegel Natural Therapies
https://www.frnt.org
https://www.frnt.org/zencart

Well - this got me buggered !

Deleted the local install and started from scratch. Followed all the hints and instructions (thanks again to DrByte - much appreciated indeed), all to no avail.

If anyone has any ideas (not mentioned above) - it would be much appreciated.

Frank

https://www.frnt.org/zencart

Maybe you've got something set up for your admin .htaccess that's confusing your WAMP?
Maybe your WAMP error logs may reveal more.

Thank you Chris

(bought the book, so knowing the real name of DrByte makes things a bit more personal .... GREAT BOOK btw)

Should add here that everyone running a ZC shop would be well advised to invest $29.95 in a copy of the book -- no kidding folks, it is worth every cent (no commission earned here).

--

Neither admin/.htaccess nor the WAMP error log has shed any light on this mystery.

My next plan of attack is this:

1. delete the lot
2. fresh install of ZC
3. test access to admin
4. if OK (and it should be) then import copy of live database
5. test access to admin
   • if OK then the DB is not the problem --- >> go to 6.
   • if not OK then the DB has a bug --- >> check local vs remote DB
     compatability - may have to get a different version of WAMP or even
     replace WAMP with XAMPP (version as per book) --->> go to 8.
6. copy live admin files into test install
7. test access to admin
   • if OK then GOOD! (but why all of a sudden I could not explain - EOF)
   • if not OK replace WAMP with XAMPP (version as per book) --->> go to 8.
8. fresh install of ZC

etc

Talk about being totally zenned ! :laugh:

It's like treating a difficult patient still trying to find the cause of the disease..

I will keep you all posted

Frank

https://www.frnt.org/zencart

Referring to my last post above, I got to step 7. and ..... I can access the admin.

I have no idea why it worked after the umpteenth install but not first up. Maybe the sequence of steps played a role. In my initial attempts I copied the live files first (using the fresh DB) and then imported the live DB.

This time I imported the live DB first and then copied the live files.

To some extent that would make sense....

Anyway, problem solved after 5 days of testing and pondering.

Thanks again for all your help.

Frank

https://www.frnt.org/zencart

For anyone else with this issue:

Edit php.ini and change the line

zlib.output_compression = Off

to

zlib.output_compression = On

Thanks Doug! I know this is an old thread but I have been tearing my hair over this for weeks - I just hadn't given the php.ini a thought. So if anyone else using xampp on Win 7 64bit has this problem, change your php.ini. :cool: