Why are my categories looping back to the index page?

[bbraven]

I recently changed servers and re-installed my old store onto a new server. Most of the store seems to be working, except for a few oddities, which I cannot for the life of me figure out. The biggest problem at the moment is that whenever you click on a category in the menu, instead of going to the subcategory page or the items, it just loops back to the index page. I have no idea why this is happening, or where to begin looking to solve the problem. I know that my config pages are set properly, I have had them looked at in another post I made here. Does anyone know why the links would be looping back to the index and how to fix it? I also have a problem that the store cannot find any of my products. I tried creating a new category, new subcategory, and a new test product, but it's not working. I can get the item to show up in the new items box, but when you click on it, it says Product Not Found. I think if I can figure out what's looping the categories, it might also lead me to fixing this other problem.

I would be incredibly grateful if someone could help me fix these problems so I can get my store working again. I have been trying to get it back up and running for over a month now with no success. Help is greatly appreciated.

Briana

My store is located at Blue Dragon Creations Online

[bbraven]

I am still looking for a fix on this. It would really mean a lot to me if someone could lead me in the right direction. I really can't take the idea of a total re-install from scratch. Any tips or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Briana

[usernamenone]

The answer is probably in your configure.php files, did you update them when you moved your shop?

[bbraven]

The answer is probably in your configure.php files, did you update them when you moved your shop?

 

Yes. When I first moved the shop I was getting blank pages instead of my store, so I posted the config files in another post and had them looked at. I got them fixed so that the store was showing. Do you think there is still some problem? I could repost them if it might help me get this figured out.

[usernamenone]

Post lines 21 to 30 of configure.php

 

Also when you mouse over your catagories link, report what url links you see in the left side bottom of the browser. (this is where you watch a site resolve and then see the "Done"

 

Double check the admin configure.php file for errors

[bbraven]

P.S.

I don't know if this will help in tracking down the problem, but here's what the links are doing:

 

Let's say you want to go to the "Jewelry" category. Mousing over the link shows you'll go to: http://bluedragoncreations.com/shop/index.php?cPath=47, but when you click you end up at: http://bluedragoncreations.com/shop/index.php?shop=index.php

 

Or, if you do a search for "necklace" and get brought to the results page and see my Burgundy Dragonfly Necklace and Earring Set, the link should go to: http://bluedragoncreations.com/shop/produc...products_id=224 but when clicked goes to: http://bluedragoncreations.com/shop/produc...roduct_info.php and shows "Product not found!"

 

The reviews page is looping back on itself too.

 

Thanks for any help,

Briana

[bbraven]

Post lines 21 to 30 of configure.php

 

  define('DIR_WS_HTTP_CATALOG', '/shop/');
 define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/shop/');
 define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', 'images/');
 define('DIR_WS_ICONS', DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'icons/');
 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/');

 

Also when you mouse over your catagories link, report what url links you see in the left side bottom of the browser. (this is where you watch a site resolve and then see the "Done"

 

Double check the admin configure.php file for errors

 

See previous post, and as far as I can tell, both files match in the places they should. Of course, that doesn't man I'm not missing something. Thanks for trying to help me, hopefully we can get this figured out and I can have my store back :)

[usernamenone]

Ok, the problem is not the configure.php files it is in the categories itself.

 

OsCommerce is configured in a way that when a page or link can not be found it will not give you a 404 error but direct you to the index page.

 

It isn't enough to copy your catalog over to the new server, you have to restore the database. Hopefull backuped before the move. If you did you must restore. If you did not backup before the move you will need to add products back into the catalog.

[bbraven]

Ok, the problem is not the configure.php files it is in the categories itself.

 

OsCommerce is configured in a way that when a page or link can not be found it will not give you a 404 error but direct you to the index page.

 

It isn't enough to copy your catalog over to the new server, you have to restore the database. Hopefull backuped before the move. If you did you must restore. If you did not backup before the move you will need to add products back into the catalog.

 

I did restore the database. I looked up how to move the store to a new server, and followed the instructions. I had a db backup from just 2 days before I moved the shop. I created the db, moved the files, did everything I was supposed to as far as I understood. I don't know anything about messing with the database files in the myPHP admin, but if there's a place where I might be able to find and rectify the problem, I'll be happy to learn. I figure there's got to be a way to get the store back in working order rather than doing a whole new install and trying to remember how to add all the upgrades and do the layout over etc., etc.

Also, I tried adding a new category, subcategory and test product, from the admin area, but they're not working either. That truly baffles me. I'd figure that at least new entries would work, but they don't.

I really appreciate any and all help you provide.

[usernamenone]

And you loged in to admin and did the restore from your last backup of the old store?

[bbraven]

And you loged in to admin and did the restore from your last backup of the old store?

 

I'm pretty sure I did, but I did it again just now to be sure. (I had imported straight into the db from the myPHP admin before) It doesn't seem to have made any difference at all.

So what's next?

(And more thanks for your continued help)

[usernamenone]

Ok then, There are 2 things I would try:

 

1: log into admin and delete all products and then the categories those products were in. Then do your restore. Note, It is importaint that you delete products first and not just the categories they are in as you will get fantom products.

 

2: If the above does not work............ Put the installer back in the catalog. Using your .sql and rename it and replace the oscommerce.sql with you backup.sql that your renamed oscommerce.sql. Run the install.

 

And of course back up.

 

I am out the door for the rest of the day....... Hope something works for you!

[bbraven]

Well, I tried both of your suggestions. #1 caused the store to break completely, and #2 brought the store back the the same not-properly-functioning state it was in when I started. So I'm no worse off, but no better either. So, are there any other options, or am I now at the point where I either rebuild a whole new store or just give it up? I'm beginning to get that "I'm skrewd" feeling. :(

[usernamenone]

Did you delete all products and then categories?

 

Did you then try to add a new categorie and then a product to it.

[bbraven]

Did you delete all products and then categories?

 

Did you then try to add a new categorie and then a product to it.

Yup. Still didn't work. I even deleted the reviews and the manufacturers to see if that made a difference. Still nada.

[usernamenone]

Check your configure.php file once again. You have links like this

 

http://bluedragoncreations.com/shop/index.php?shop=index.php

 

And should be link this

 

http://bluedragoncreations.com/shop/index.php

 

Line 32 should be the direct path.

 

define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', 'C:/apache2triad/htdocs/catalog/shop/'); Something like this.

 

You have checked your admin/includes/configure.php file also?

[bbraven]

Here are my files. I think they're right, but I may have missed something...

configure.php

<?php
/*
 osCommerce, Open Source E-Commerce Solutions
 [url="http://www.oscommerce.com"]http://www.oscommerce.com[/url]

 Copyright © 2003 osCommerce

 Released under the GNU General Public License
*/

// Define the webserver and path parameters
// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)
// * DIR_WS_* = Webserver directories (virtual/URL)
 define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://bluedragoncreations.com'); // eg, [url="http://localhost"]http://localhost[/url] - should not be empty for productive servers
 define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://bluedragoncreations.com'); // eg, [url="https://localhost"]https://localhost[/url] - should not be empty for productive servers
 define('ENABLE_SSL', true); // secure webserver for checkout procedure?
 define('HTTP_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'bluedragoncreations.com');
 define('HTTPS_COOKIE_DOMAIN', 'bluedragoncreations.com');
 define('HTTP_COOKIE_PATH', '/shop/');
 define('HTTPS_COOKIE_PATH', '/shop/');
 define('DIR_WS_HTTP_CATALOG', '/shop/');
 define('DIR_WS_HTTPS_CATALOG', '/shop/');
 define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', 'images/');
 define('DIR_WS_ICONS', DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'icons/');
 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_DOWNLOAD_PUBLIC', 'pub/');
 define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/home/content/b/l/u/username/html/shop/');
 define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'download/');
 define('DIR_FS_DOWNLOAD_PUBLIC', DIR_FS_CATALOG . 'pub/');

// define our database connection
 define('DB_SERVER', 'namehere.secureserver.net'); // eg, localhost - should not be empty for productive servers
 define('DB_SERVER_USERNAME', 'username');
 define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD', 'password');
 define('DB_DATABASE', 'database');
 define('USE_PCONNECT', 'false'); // use persistent connections?
 define('STORE_SESSIONS', 'mysql'); // leave empty '' for default handler or set to 'mysql'
?>

 

admin/configure.php

<?php
/*
 osCommerce, Open Source E-Commerce Solutions
 [url="http://www.oscommerce.com"]http://www.oscommerce.com[/url]

 Copyright © 2003 osCommerce

 Released under the GNU General Public License
*/

// Define the webserver and path parameters
// * DIR_FS_* = Filesystem directories (local/physical)
// * DIR_WS_* = Webserver directories (virtual/URL)
 define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://bluedragoncreations.com'); // eg, [url="http://localhost"]http://localhost[/url] - should not be empty for productive servers
 define('HTTP_CATALOG_SERVER', 'http://bluedragoncreations.com');
 define('HTTPS_CATALOG_SERVER', 'https://bluedragoncreations.com');
 define('ENABLE_SSL_CATALOG', 'true'); // secure webserver for catalog module
 define('DIR_FS_DOCUMENT_ROOT', '/home/content/b/l/u/username/html/shop/'); // where the pages are located on the server
 define('DIR_WS_ADMIN', '/shop/admin/'); // absolute path required
 define('DIR_FS_ADMIN', '/home/content/b/l/u/username/html/shop/admin/'); // absolute path required
 define('DIR_WS_CATALOG', '/shop/'); // absolute path required
 define('DIR_FS_CATALOG', '/home/content/b/l/u/username/html/shop/'); // absolute path required
 define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', 'images/');
 define('DIR_WS_ICONS', DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'icons/');
 define('DIR_WS_CATALOG_IMAGES', DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'images/');
 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', DIR_WS_CATALOG . 'includes/languages/');
 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_BACKUP', DIR_FS_ADMIN . 'backups/');

// define our database connection
 define('DB_SERVER', 'namehere.secureserver.net'); // eg, localhost - should not be empty for productive servers
 define('DB_SERVER_USERNAME', 'username');
 define('DB_SERVER_PASSWORD', 'password');
 define('DB_DATABASE', 'database');
 define('USE_PCONNECT', 'false'); // use persisstent connections?
 define('STORE_SESSIONS', 'mysql'); // leave empty '' for default handler or set to 'mysql'
?>

[usernamenone]

Might have something to do with your free hosting.

 

Did you upload a new cataglog in a new folder with a new database to see if the new catalog functioned?