How to install a Zen Cart Template

You should have the Zen Cart software installed on your server. Download it from the www.zen-cart.com website if you don't have it.

Minimum/suggested server requirements: PHP 4.1.x or higher (PHP 4.3.x for optimal performance), Apache 1.3.x and MySQL 3.2.x or higher.
Register Globals may be on or off, safe mode off recommended.

Note: There are known problems on servers running php v4.1.2. Most problems have an available solution.
Note: Many of the shipping and payment modules require URL to be "installed/compiled" with php.
Note: Support for HTTPS may be required depending on the payment methods being accepted. The use of an SSL during account creation and checkout is recommended.
PHP5 is not officially supported by Zen Cart at the present time; however, many shop owners are successfully running their shops on servers using PHP5.
MySQL 4.1.x uses an encryption scheme that is not 100% supported by PHP4, so it may not work with Zen Cart unless you are using PHP5.

The installation process is quite simple. To start off, you should extract the Zen Cart ZIP file. Once extracted, you will have a directory containing the Zen Cart scripts.  The contents of this directory needs to be moved to your web server, either by copying the directory or by using an FTP program. You will then need to run the install script. To do this you need to open the browser and type in the URL. If you are running it on your own computer, this will be "http://localhost/{zen-cart-directory}/zc_install" or if on a live server: "http://{www.mydomain.com}/zc_install". You then only need to follow the prompts to install Zen Cart. For more detailed installation instructions, please see the "/docs/1.Readme-installation.html" document in the Zen Cart distribution.

When you have the Zen Cart software installed, unpack the template package that you got from our website. Also unpack the "Sources_XXXXXXXX" directory.
Note: For security reasons the directory ("Sources_XXXXXXXX") containing all the source files of the template is in a compressed (zipped) file and is password protected.
As soon as the zip file begins to uncompress, you will be prompted to type in the password. The password is the ID number of your order.

There will be a folder named "themeXXX" (where "XXX" is a three digit number) inside the unpacked ZIP file. Place the files in their own directory ("themeXXX") in the "/includes/templates/" directory inside your Zen Cart installation. This will copy the theme files of the ZenCart template to your installation.

Finally update the tables of your Zen Cart installation database using a mysql dump file located at "\sources\dumps\zencart_short.sql" inside the unzipped template package. Contact your webhosting company for assistance. Note: This will not affect the configuration of your ZenCart installation, just overwrite MySQL rows (tables) that define the style of your ZenCart store.

Once you have done this go to "http://localhost/{zen-cart-directory}"(if you are running it on your own computer) or if on a live server - "http://{www.mydomain.com}". Make sure the template is installed correctly.

The following procedure for a ZenCart template installation is not recommended, so you may use it at your own risk because it may result in all data loss.
If you wish to install an exact copy of our demo ZenCart store (including all the settings like information on categories, products, manufacturers, prices, etc.) you need to use "\sources\dumps\zencart_full.sql" dump file to update tables of your Zen Cart installation database.
Note: This will affect the configuration of your ZenCart installation and will overwrite all the data of your MySQL database. So make sure to back up all the data. Contact your webhosting company for assistance.
Also, copy the files from the folder "\sources\images" to the "/images" directory inside your Zen Cart installation. This will copy product images that are used in a ZenCart template to your installation.
Once you have done this go to your administration control panel. You will be prompted to enter a username and password. Use "admin" for username, and "1" for password. We recommend you to change your password once you log in (you can set your new password under "Tools > Admin Settings > Reset PWD"). Now go to "http://localhost/{zen-cart-directory}" (if you are running on your own computer) or if on a live server - "http://{www.mydomain.com}". Make sure the template is installed correctly.

If you can't find an answer to your question regarding configuration of your Zen Cart installation and/or managing categories and products you need to refer to the Zen Cart official website for assistance: http://www.zen-cart.com/