Website keeps disappearing

[Guest]

I recently decided to try out osCommerce because it seemed like a good affordable option. But now I'm getting really frustrated. My website keeps disappearing.

First I actually downloaded v. 3.0 but I couldn't find out how to sell downloads with that version so I downgraded to v. 2.2.

 

First, everything was working fine. But I installed a template for the site and then the website disappeared. I tried again, installed the whole thing and everything was working fine. Installed a new template and it was working fine. Until I added a product to the cart. Then the website disappeared.

I then found out that one of the files was causing problems (includes/application_top.php), whenever I uploaded an older file (not from the new template) the website was showing again, slightly distorted.

 

I thought this was maybe just a bad template. So I installed the third template from addons.oscommerce.com, a template called green bubble.

Of course this was working fine first off... pretty decent looking and everything was working fine. But of course the website disappeared again and this time, it seems, for no apparent reason. Not only that, but now the admin section has also disappeared and all I get is a white screen.

 

My website is intended for my business and may not be so unstable. Is anybody familiar eith this problem? Is there anything I can do to keep my website from disappearing?

[burt]

First I actually downloaded v. 3.0

 

Mistake #1

 

But I installed a template for the site

 

Mistake #2

 

Installed a new template

 

Mistake #3

 

 

I installed the third template

 

Mistake #4

 

 

My website is intended for my business and may not be so unstable

 

Do not use a template until you are satisfied that you know enough about osCommerce to actually be able to rectify any faults yourself. Unless, of course, the template provider provides support, but that is as rare as rocking-horse shite.

 

So start over and this time, do not install a template. Get used to how osCommerce works, then, when you are ready to add an extra layer of complexity, find yourself a decent provider and buy a design.

[Guest]

So osCommerce is only for computer programmers, not for people like me, who just want a decent looking shop that works?

[martinstan]

Hi Andri

Sorry to hear about your problems. Oscommerce is a good system but you certainly need to have a certain level of experience in order to get the best out of it. It's not really an 'Out of the box' solution and you'd be surprised how the smallest coding error can bring your site to it's knees. A " ; or } in the wrong place and yes, your site will probably not function.

 

If I were you I would pay for someone to build the site for you. I doubt it would cost you very much for an experienced developer to do this for you.

 

Just one piece of advice. Always back up your original working install including the database. That way you can always revert back should anything you try go wrong. This has bailed me out on many ocassions.

 

Good Luck

Martinstan

[burt]

So osCommerce is only for computer programmers, not for people like me, who just want a decent looking shop that works?

 

I would not say this - I would say that you should walk before you run.

 

Or, in other words, get used to osCommerce, then when you are happy that it can function as you require it to, add on extra layers of complexity such as a template, contributions and so on.

[Guest]

Hi Andri

Sorry to hear about your problems. Oscommerce is a good system but you certainly need to have a certain level of experience in order to get the best out of it. It's not really an 'Out of the box' solution and you'd be surprised how the smallest coding error can bring your site to it's knees. A " ; or } in the wrong place and yes, your site will probably not function.

 

If I were you I would pay for someone to build the site for you. I doubt it would cost you very much for an experienced developer to do this for you.

 

Just one piece of advice. Always back up your original working install including the database. That way you can always revert back should anything you try go wrong. This has bailed me out on many ocassions.

 

Good Luck

Martinstan

 

I am 100% agree with Martin and burt. oscommerce is good and even easy to handle , but first you shoud know , what are the functions/facilities are available in oscommerce and how they work. And ofcourse unless you knao this how would you find what extra things you needed.

 

Infact, installing a template would be an easy task, but must know php and oscommecr coding flow etc... if you don't know the code flow than it might going to be difficult.

 

Thanks

[Guest]

Ok, thank you guys very much for your response. I'm still not sure whether I'll keep using osCommerce. I need a working store within two weeks.

 

Best regards,

Andri