osCommerce installation in Windows

[daniaw]

Now, it may be that you guys are just smarter than I am, or I am just not smart enough to figure this out. :blink:

 

I like to obtain directions on how to install the osCommerce solution on a Windows XP or Windows 2003 IIS, as I am definitely not smart enough to install this under Linux (have tried to download and install under Mandrake 9.0 already).

 

I would prefer to install it under Mandrake Linux 9.0, but I can't seem to get that running right - either... :(

 

Anyone out there that would be polite, kind and patient to explain how I go about getting this up and running?

 

Thank you!!! :P

[detsouvalas]

Well, for Win XP without ISS, download a 'local apache+php+mysql server pack' like easyphp or xampp, install it, load it, unzip oscommerce in a folder inside the root web directory, point your browser to that directory and enjoy! :-)

[daniaw]

<_<

So - I located one XAMPP site, from which in order to install, I had to select at least 4 files each being several megabytes. The installation of it appeared to be fine, however, I am still not benefitting anything from this, unless counting wasted time downloading, as I succeeded in wasting time. The end-result is still the same: osCommerce doesn't run, Apache runs, and I can see the content of the php-file, which Internet Explorer doesn't interpret into a web page.

 

Windows XP does have IIS as this is the Pro-edition... any other "fine" suggestions?

 

:blink:

[detsouvalas]

The end-result is still the same: osCommerce doesn't run, Apache runs, and I can see the content of the php-file, which Internet Explorer doesn't interpret into a web page.

 

PHP is interpreted on server's side and not on client's side, I would rather say that Apache is not running as it should!! I would try and install it again ... make sure you have read the installation and user's instructions ... you can't loose anything, you already have waisted, as you said, your time in downloading the package ... oh, and be prepared to waste (or invest) some more time in configuring/modifying the osC script! :ph34r:

[daniaw]

The end-result is still the same: osCommerce doesn't run, Apache runs, and I can see the content of the php-file, which Internet Explorer doesn't interpret into a web page.

 

PHP is interpreted on server's side and not on client's side, I would rather say that Apache is not running as it should!! I would try and install it again ... make sure you have read the installation and user's instructions ... you can't loose anything, you already have waisted, as you said, your time in downloading the package ... oh, and be prepared to waste (or invest) some more time in configuring/modifying the osC script! :ph34r:

No simple solutions to install osCommerce? No "setup.exe", and that's it? No "Install Guide" or alike?

 

Everything has to be complex and complicated???

 

When installing IIS on either a Windows XP Pro or Windows 2003 Server, everything runs fine. When wanting something like this solution everything has to be hacked up in little pieces and unless you know where which piece has to go PRIOR to installing it, it won't work.

 

The scenario is the same under Linux - cool program, but complicated to gather all the packages and get it "all right".

 

Someone out there should be able to gather the info needed to install osCommerce from scratch on either Windows and/or Linux. Not just with little hints like those given me here. They are all useless, and waste of time!!!

 

Sorry!!!

[detsouvalas]

No simple solutions to install osCommerce? No "setup.exe", and that's it? No "Install Guide" or alike?

Everything has to be complex and complicated??? [...]

The scenario is the same under Linux - cool program, but complicated to gather all the packages and get it "all right".

 

osCommerce is not a program, but a PHP script! You don't install a PHP script like you would do with a windows application!!

 

If you have a running web server with PHP and MySQL support, in most cases you get the script to run easily, without having to tweak anything! Instructions and indications to configure the script are given in the WiKi site.

 

A bit of good will is also needed!!

[rangermouse]

daniaw/peter,

I've been trying to get osCommerce working on my platform too - for over 3 days.

No success. My problem appears though to be isolated to being unable to edit the default products included with osCommerce - dvd movies, hardware, software, etc.

I've complained very publicly in the forums about the lack of clear, concise support for people wanting to install on Windows with Apache. The developer doesn't appear to care. Search posts under "rangermouse" and you can see my complaints. I'm using Win98SE, but I'm trying Win Xp Pro next week.

Otherwise - I'll try a fresh Lindows 4.5 or something build and see what works and what doesn't. So far, I'm very displeased.

:angry:

[Guest]

i think you should take a step back and read your post. evidently you have no idea how an operating system works nor how a database or web server works. there are lots here who help. installing into a windows environment takes about 20 minutes at most. if you are so displeased perhaps it best be to look elsewhere.

there are many contributions relating to how to install apache, mysql, php and oscommerce onto windows. in fact there are many who install it onto W2K/2K3 servers with no problem. I use WinXP for development prior to uploading to *nix servers so it ports across piece of cake.

it is all a matter of reading the installation procedures of apache. get that configured first, before anything else. make sure it works properly and you understand what the httpd.conf file is, what it does, etc.

then install php onto the system. pretty much a matter of downloading php, putting it into a folder then copying the php.ini to your windows system folder and modifying it to point to php, following the instructions provided by the php site. mysql is the same, you follow the instructions they have.

then oscommerce is a script detailed out in the oscommerce documentation.

this forum really is not geared towards teaching you how to program, how to install apache, mysql or php. it is assumed that you already know how to do these things. we are all volunteers here, so if you want support, be nice to everyone and they will in turn be nice to you.

 

again, if youare very displeased, personally i think you should move on.

[jimwh]

I'm running Windoze XP Professional and installed EasyPHP so that I could run my osCommerce developement site on it.

 

Although EasyPHP is created (compiled, combined or otherwise lumped together) by someone whose primary language is French, I referred to the EasyPHP 1.7 Install Guide page and was able to have my installation running in less than an 90 minutes including downloading (over a dialup line, to boot!).

 

I then downloaded the osCommerce package and while waiting (remember that I have dialup!) read throught the Wiki documents. There is also the Knowledge Base which has re-arranged the Wiki information into easier to follow steps. After fixing a couple of my own mistakes (in regards to PHP & Apache configuration files), I had my store in place and functioning.

 

Total time...about 3 hours (including downloads). As far as a bit of advice: stay cool; read, read, read; and follow the instructions step by step. If you need to deviate from the instructions, make sure that you follow the logic of what the program is trying to do. I was even able to add a reporting contribution to the site before fully understanding how osCommerce works. It's not hard, it just takes some patience and sometimes some detective work to find the correct answer for your specific issue.

 

osCommerce is more like gourmet cooking at home than going to a restaurant. You have to read the recipe first and then prep the ingredients, and so on.

 

The people here are extremely helpful considering that they do not get "paid" in the traditional sense. If you want to see how much support is offered every day, click on the "View New Posts" link at the top of the page and see how many posts are made in a 24 hour day. It looks like a full time job to me! (Are you guys hiring!?!?)

[rangermouse]

this forum really is not geared towards teaching you how to program, how to install apache, mysql or php.  it is assumed that you already know how to do these things. 

Mibble,

 

Quote from www.oscommerce.com homepage

Its feature packed out-of-the-box installation allows store owners to setup, run, and maintain their online stores with minimum effort and with absolutely no costs or license fees involved.

 

There is no where in "minimum requirements" or anywhere on the www.oscommerce.com site where it says, "prior knowledge to installing apache, mysql and php is assumed".

 

Infact, on the homepage it says,

With no restrictions or special requirements

 

I'll be frank, I'm really surprised a simple installation like this has me this frustrated. In reference to your suggestion,

 

it is all a matter of reading the installation procedures of apache. get that configured first, before anything else. make sure it works properly and you understand what the httpd.conf file is, what it does, etc.

 

You're going ahead of yourself. Installing Apache and getting that to run right, was not a piece of cake. Not in my part of the woods.

 

I read the installation procedures, and if you've followed my forum posts the first issue that came up was an inability to parse xml. I don't know why. I installed an apache2 build (build 2.0.49 to be exact) and IE responded with an XML error.

I installed a previous build (1.3.31 to be exact) and a mySQL access error was the response. This was probably a response that could have been addressed if I had applied myself opting instead to install Merlin. I was not interested in the mod_ssl, getting all the versions to cooperate, etc. I installed Merlin. Merlin made it possible as a platform to get osCommerce functional. From there, it's been mainly an "array_map" error in the category folder in the catalog menu from configuration. I stopped swimming in circles and re-installed slowly using forums, wiki and docs as a step by step guide. If there is any area I have confusion about it would be the use of phpMyadmin, MySQL administrator to create a table that will work, and stuff like that, which wiki to my knowledge doesn't address clearly.

Do I depend on the "installation wizard" that is 4-5 pages or do I use a program like phpMyadmin? Which?

 

People are referring to starting a database *while* or *before* the installation wizard from oscommerce using phpMyadmin or a tool with Mysql and this is an area I would need more help in since the wiki docs don' t help.

 

Let's take it step by step and isolate the problem. Something I've been trying to do for a while.

 

it is all a matter of reading the installation procedures of apache.

 

Let's start here. What do I need to know and where? You may remember, I downloaded mod_ssl, php, zend optimizer, apache, etc., at the very beginning as I was instructed.

 

So far all the instructions I've seen to help a Windows user install osCommerce are totally written with a UNIX framework. If you can refer me to step by step instructions for a Windows user I would appreciate it.

 

be nice to everyone and they will in turn be nice to you.

 

<lol> Infact, the link to your site you gave me a couple days ago, it's still unclear and confused. That hasn't improved. Just a note. I'm trying to help you, so you know.

 

this forum really is not geared towards teaching you how to program, how to install apache, mysql or php. it is assumed that you already know how to do these things

 

I suggest you go to the www.oscommerce.com/forums and go to the Installation and Configuration forum and ask yourself why there are more then 20,000 posts in that forum then in any other forum with people trying to do simple installations or simple changes to their stores or other things. That is, if you're referring to the "forum" option in general.

 

But if you're referring to where our discussion is taking place, in the wiki documentation collaborative effort I agree with you. This is not appropriate in this forum. If anyone can move our posts to the appropriate forum I would appreciate that.

 

As a sidenote, there are many posts in other forums where people end their complaint with, "I went to the wiki docs and it didn't help".

 

It was like I mentioned previously - a collbarative effort started in March 2000 with no real documentation up to June 2004 for Windows users is not explainable other then as a seriously flawed effort.

 

Furthermore, your attitude which is - "If you're not one of us leave us alone you're not good enough to use osCommerce as a php script" is something that sounds elitist and reminiscent of people who have complained as I have - people like Mark Keith Evans, daniaw, millypop and many others.

 

Please post a step by step installation process for a user like myself. This would be the best way to contribute to the wiki doc site. Step by step. Every step. That means every time the user has to click the mouse or enter one line of text or press enter - that's another step. If you can write that in clear english and if I follow that and still have a problem with the installation, we can deal with that. Not something vague and nondescriptive like, "get apache to work properly....then get mysql to work properly...then install osCommerce" That helps no one.

 

 

Quote from the www.oscommerce.com website

The success of osCommerce is secured by a great and active community where members help one another

 

It's funny, but "if you don't like it leave us alone" doesn't seem like a 'great and active community where members help one another.'

 

For interested audience members, hi. I'm going to implement a xampp server to try and get this solved, and if it doesn't work EasyPHP. I'll try it out.

 

Put your pistol back in it's holster and remind yourself that we're on the same side.

 

 

 

 

:blink: :blink: :blink:

[Guest]

This software is designed to work on a web server, which is not included at all with osCommerce.

You are the one who said you were displeased, you need to RTFM and understand what a web server is, etc.

Any software you get for ecommerce is geared for a web server. Someone who thinks otherwise well they are a bit lost and should not be doing this.

osCommerce is for someone who wants to develop or have someone who knows what they are doing develop their store. It is not something which can be picked up overnight if you do not know how to use Apache, MySQL or PHP.

Again I reiterate, this forum is not to teach you how to use MySQL, PHPMyAdmin, etc. There are other sites out there devoted specifically to them. This site is for supporting osCommerce after you have the other items working properly.

The documentation here states clearly what is needed for installation:

http://www.oscommerce.info/kb/osCommerce/I...g_osCommerce/46

The documentation installation procedures are clearly laid out:

http://www.oscommerce.info/kb/osCommerce/I...g_osCommerce/41

The documentation shows the Web Based Configuration Procedure clearly:

http://www.oscommerce.info/kb/osCommerce/I...g_osCommerce/16

The guys here have put together a great package, what must happen is you have to help yourself first before others can help you.

 

Read, learn, learn some more and read some more. Dont knock them because of failure to read.

[detsouvalas]

we're on the same side

 

Are we? :unsure:

[cayenne]

dude, i just wanted (as a newbie) to apologize for what just occured up there. I've never in my life touched a Linux computer, and my experience with Unix comes from Jurassic Park. I've never installed apache (I had it in my head it had something to do with planes) and I don't even know what SQL stands for, much less what to do with it. Before I began, I posted on message asking if it was even worth me trying. I received several responses saying 'yes - i'm new and it's working out fine.' I finally bought myself a SD card and installed XAMPP. One minor issue - it said not to try the batch file on a USB stick - I took a chance and did it anyways. it worked. I downloaded oscommerce, extracted it, and took a quick look at the knowledge base. it said to copy the catalog folder in. I copied it to the folder xampp said to copy it to. i opened that folder. it led me through installation with little help boxes that told me what to choose on ones I didnt understand. it got done and I clicked on the admin tool. I added my (granted, v. small total of 10) products, complete with pictures and manufacturers and categories. I got all my basic settings done. I've done all this without knowing anything about anything - granted, i havent done any contributions or even changed the look of the site, but i've not run into any problems. even without asking the unpaid users of this site to sit down and make a step by step guide on how to do things i should have been able to handle myself.. <end rant> sorry. I came to ask a question and got really offended all of a sudden. back to something constructive.

[torp]

OK, just for the record .... here's my story..

 

I'm certainly no computer Einstein - I run my Microsoft IIS on my Microsoft NT 4.0 and can't even spell 'UNIX' or 'Apache' ....

 

I just downloaded PHP version 4.3.4 (the Win32 zip-file), read the 'install.txt' file and installed the thing. Checked the config file to make sure the folder paths were correct.

 

Then I downloaded MySQL 4.0.17 win-zip file and ran the 'setup.exe' to install the thing.

 

Then I downloaded the osCommerce 2.2ms2.zip file, read the 'readme' file, and installed the thing.

 

I checked the configuration file, corrected some path settings and *poof* - the shop was on-line !!

 

Whatcha think about that?

 

Sorry, I don't know too much of wot I'm doing here, so I can't help users with complicated probs, but I wanted to share my experience on Win32.

 

Good luck fellas - hey and don't spill too much blood out here ok?

Greetz, Peteman.

[chrisb009]

I'd have to agree.....installing oscommerce is not working for me either. I am trying to install it on windows 2003 IIS 6.0 w/php 5.0. All I receive when trying to "find" the admin tool is a "page not found" 400 error. Can anyone shed some light on installing oscommerce on windows 2003 iis 6.0? Should I use a "lower" version of PHP?

[chrisb009]

A little headway......PHP is the issue at this moment....I have to figure out what the issue is with IIS 6.0 and PHP 5.0

[chrisb009]

More headway.....PHP is running.....however I am getting errors when trying to load a "index.php" test script. The errors are as follows:

 

 

Warning: main(includes/application_top.php) [function.main]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in E:\CS_Web_Site\index.php on line 13

 

Fatal error: main() [function.require]: Failed opening required 'includes/application_top.php' (include_path='.;C:\php5\pear') in E:\CS_Web_Site\index.php on line 13

PHP has encountered an Access Violation at 017373CD

 

 

 

Any ideas??

 

Thanks!!

[♥ecartz]

osCommerce is not PHP5 compatible at the moment (PHP5 was only just released in gamma on Tuesday). There are a couple bug reports with suggestions if you want to look through the bug reporter and change the scripts. The changes look to be incompatible with PHP4 though. Does E:\CS_Web_Site\includes\application_top.php exist? Can the web server read it (proper permissions)?

 

Hth,

Matt

[chrisb009]

Yes...the server can read all the files in the directory....I am starting to find out PHP 5.0 may be the cause of al the issues I have had during installation. What I now receive is:

 

 

No input file specified. PHP has encountered an Access Violation at 017373CD

 

 

 

after doing a little tweeking in the php.ini file. Other have complained and have to revert back to RC2 to resolve the issue. I think I am going to remove PHP 5.0 and install the 4.x version. Should clear up all the issues.

[billwerth]

I tend to agree with rangermouse. osCommerce is not the simple install that most Windows users are accustomed to.

 

I don't think that there is any intention to mislead, but it is likelty that what is considered a simple install on Linux is very different to what is considered simple on Windows.

 

I managed to get it working on my Windows XP Pro box, but only after reading some forum posts that explain what files need to have their permissions set to write.

 

I probably had more trouble than I should have, since I only used the installation instructions included in the download. I only located the wiki documentation just today, by accident while reading the forums.

 

Why is there no link the wiki documenation from the main osCommerce site?

 

Even this documenation only has detailed instructions for a Unix server, with no detailed instructions for a Windows server. Although I do find this reasonable since this is open source. If I was paying for the software, then I would expect detailed instructions.

 

I actually have a degree in Computers and Software Systems. I expect to be able to get this software working considering my background. I do think it is unreasonable to expect people without this background to be able to use this software without more documentation.

 

Just my two cents.

[iainshaw]

Unreasonable of whom?

 

This thread does have a theme running through it that implies this is all too hard for Windows users - much harder than they are used to. It seems to miss the point to me. This isn't a question of Windows easy - Linux hard, it's more a question of the difference between desktop application install and the install and configuration of serious database driven web server application.

 

Do people think this would become magically simple if the osC looked like this:

Windows 2000 Server, IIS, SQL Server, ASP? Don't compare setting up osC with setting up Excel, try comparing it with setting up something like Siebel

 

If people don't read documentation, don't do their research and plunge in without realising that it's all a bit more involved than double-clicking on setup.exe then they are going to get into trouble - and there's no excuse for starting without doing some research on the installation . And a lot people then get themselves out of trouble using the documentation, the wiki and the support forums

 

 

I suggest you go to the www.oscommerce.com/forums and go to the Installation and Configuration forum and ask yourself why there are more then 20,000 posts in that forum then in any other forum with people trying to do simple installations or simple changes to their stores or other things.  That is, if you're referring to the "forum" option in general.

 

Mayb there would be less bulk in the Install and Configuration if the "I can write to /includes/configure.php........HELP!!!!!" etc. messages were culled. How many of those posts are actually the result of people not reading simple directions covered in the documentation

 

The more unusual problems like the PHP5 issues discussed elsewhere in this thread are totally different.

 

Yes the documentation could be improved and the links to the wiki made more obvious but this is a fantastic project overall and it does have a very helpful community. osC is immensley powerful, I think it is reasonable, to use that word again, to expect that all that power and a zero price tag may have a cost somewhere

 

I'm an English graduate btw rather than a Computer Sciences graduate. Whilst we may not have had the same educational background I'll bet we were both challenged to read and make sense of stuff that seemed impenetrable at first.

 

No offence meant in this post, and certainly no offence intended to the last poster. I just feel this project should be defended. :)

[iainshaw]

for an English graduate my spelling certainly goes AWOL when I'm ratty

 

apologies for that :P

[graylion]

I agree that a linux or windows server install is a lot more challenging than doubleclicking setup. and yes folks, if you can't be arsed to read documentation you have no business runing a server. it's a darwininian process.

[phreaks]

i think you should take a step back and read your post. evidently you have no idea how an operating system works nor how a database or web server works. there are lots here who help. installing into a windows environment takes about 20 minutes at most. if you are so displeased perhaps it best be to look elsewhere.

there are many contributions relating to how to install apache, mysql, php and oscommerce onto windows. in fact there are many who install it onto W2K/2K3 servers with no problem. I use WinXP for development prior to uploading to *nix servers so it ports across piece of cake.

it is all a matter of reading the installation procedures of apache. get that configured first, before anything else. make sure it works properly and you understand what the httpd.conf file is, what it does, etc.

then install php onto the system. pretty much a matter of downloading php, putting it into a folder then copying the php.ini to your windows system folder and modifying it to point to php, following the instructions provided by the php site. mysql is the same, you follow the instructions they have.

then oscommerce is a script detailed out in the oscommerce documentation.

this forum really is not geared towards teaching you how to program, how to install apache, mysql or php. it is assumed that you already know how to do these things. we are all volunteers here, so if you want support, be nice to everyone and they will in turn be nice to you.

 

again, if youare very displeased, personally i think you should move on.

 

Wow attitude.

I searched the forums for the same topic, since I am having a similar issue, and there is NO Solution.

 

We paid for the damn product, yet it doesn't work, that is the god damn issue.

 

 

There are about 200 posts regarding the "No Input File" message and yet no solutions.

So give me my money back and I will happily "Move along"

 

It has been 3 weeks since I first started tring to fix this issue. I could have written my own cart in C# in that time, seriously.

 

So instead of copping a mighty attitude when frustrated users voice their frustration, how about you get off your ass and actually help the situation, dick.

[Cathi]

We paid for the damn product, yet it doesn't work, that is the g** d*** issue.

So give me my money back and I will happily "Move along"

I'm pretty new here, so maybe I shouldn't even be jumping in, but...

 

Who did you "pay" for this product? It's free software. Maybe you should ask the person who profited from you if they will give you some support.

 

I have ZERO computer experience. When I started, and it looked like I was in over my head, instead of whining, I read, read, read on the forum, and bought two books from Amazon so that I might understand how php, mySQL, and a server all relate to one another, and how php code works.

 

I still don't claim to understand a lot, but I have a live store up and working, I've added contributions, and made my own modifications. And I learn a little more each day.

 

Yes, it took me many hours, but I didn't expect to have a beautiful store in 5 minutes. Most times that I have asked a question on the forums, it has been answered quickly, competently, and kindly.

 

Cathi