Moving working oscommerce store to another domain

[newbieman]

I've found a lot of questions here and on other help forums about moving a working oscommerce store to another domain (or similar situation). All the responses seem similar.... basically backup original MySQL database, restore on new server, copy oscommerce to new server, and edit the two configure.php files. But that isn't all... because... for instance, there are some sections of the configure.php file that are not so straight forward.

 

In all this time, it seems that no one has bothered to create a document that explicitly details every step involved in moving a oscommerce store. Since I write technical documents for a living, I decided (so long as I'm not "re-inventing the wheel") to create a comprehensive document. Not only will this help me but I will also give this back to the community.

 

I need some expert help though...

 

This is a very terse set of text instructions but only partially completed and without all the pictures. I plan to video this as a course with Camtasia as well:

 

1. Backup database to a folder on current working webserver;

2. Copy entire website (via FTP) to local computer;

3. Make any necessary changes in your two configure.php files

root\includes\configure.php

root\admin\includes\configure.php

4. On new server, create a location (folder) to copy the entire website to new server;

5. Log into PHPMyAdmin (on new site);

6. Create new database....

 

1. Login to phpMyAdmin

2. Click on the tab labeled SQL

3. Unclick the 'show query here again' box

4. Choose your backup file

 

Getting back to configure.php (either copy), there are parts that are not so straightforward. Is there a document available that explains each line?

 

For instance:

If your working oscommerce store WAS in the root of the working server, but you move it to a sub-folder on new server/domain.... is this correct:

 

(just a sample section of the configure.php)

 

BEFORE:

define('HTTP_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'www.workingstore.com');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_DOMAIN', '/');

define('HTTP_COOKIE_PATH', '/');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_PATH', '/');

 

AFTER:

define('HTTP_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'www.new-server.com');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'www.new-server.com');

define('HTTP_COOKIE_PATH', '/ecomm');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_PATH', '/ecomm');

 

...and what do I do with this line?

 

define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/hsphere/local/home/workingserver/workingserver.com/');

 

On the working server, I do not see the /hsphere folder. Clearly this is hidden from my view. But does this folder path need to be SO specific? Do I need to contact my new service provider in order to find out the specific server path to my web pages?

 

What about this section?

 

// define our database connection

define('DB_SERVER', 'mysql6.currenthostingsite.net'); // eg, localhost - should not be empty for productive servers

 

Again, do I need to contact my new service provider? What specific question do I need to ask?

 

 

Your help is appreciated.

[newbieman]

Clearly, it seems difficult to get help here... especially for free.

 

Can anyone point me to another place to get help for free or pay?

 

I've found a lot of questions here and on other help forums about moving a working oscommerce store to another domain (or similar situation). All the responses seem similar.... basically backup original MySQL database, restore on new server, copy oscommerce to new server, and edit the two configure.php files. But that isn't all... because... for instance, there are some sections of the configure.php file that are not so straight forward.

 

In all this time, it seems that no one has bothered to create a document that explicitly details every step involved in moving a oscommerce store. Since I write technical documents for a living, I decided (so long as I'm not "re-inventing the wheel") to create a comprehensive document. Not only will this help me but I will also give this back to the community.

 

I need some expert help though...

 

This is a very terse set of text instructions but only partially completed and without all the pictures. I plan to video this as a course with Camtasia as well:

 

1. Backup database to a folder on current working webserver;

2. Copy entire website (via FTP) to local computer;

3. Make any necessary changes in your two configure.php files

root\includes\configure.php

root\admin\includes\configure.php

4. On new server, create a location (folder) to copy the entire website to new server;

5. Log into PHPMyAdmin (on new site);

6. Create new database....

 

1. Login to phpMyAdmin

2. Click on the tab labeled SQL

3. Unclick the 'show query here again' box

4. Choose your backup file

 

Getting back to configure.php (either copy), there are parts that are not so straightforward. Is there a document available that explains each line?

 

For instance:

If your working oscommerce store WAS in the root of the working server, but you move it to a sub-folder on new server/domain.... is this correct:

 

(just a sample section of the configure.php)

 

BEFORE:

define('HTTP_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'www.workingstore.com');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_DOMAIN', '/');

define('HTTP_COOKIE_PATH', '/');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_PATH', '/');

 

AFTER:

define('HTTP_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'www.new-server.com');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'www.new-server.com');

define('HTTP_COOKIE_PATH', '/ecomm');

define('HTTPS_COOKIE_PATH', '/ecomm');

 

...and what do I do with this line?

 

define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/hsphere/local/home/workingserver/workingserver.com/');

 

On the working server, I do not see the /hsphere folder. Clearly this is hidden from my view. But does this folder path need to be SO specific? Do I need to contact my new service provider in order to find out the specific server path to my web pages?

 

What about this section?

 

// define our database connection

define('DB_SERVER', 'mysql6.currenthostingsite.net'); // eg, localhost - should not be empty for productive servers

 

Again, do I need to contact my new service provider? What specific question do I need to ask?

Your help is appreciated.