Installation Joomla Ecommerce

1. Requirements

1.1. Server Requirements

As VirtueMart is only a plugin for Joomla!, it has the same System Requirements, which are:
• Joomla! 1.0.x or Mambo (>= 4.5.1) recommended: Joomla! 1.0.x
• PHP 4.2.x or above - http://www.php.net recommended: PHP 4.4.x
• MySQL 3.23.x or above - http://www.mysql.com recommended: MySQL 4.0.x
• Apache 1.13.19 or above - http://www.apache.org recommended: Apache 2.x
You must ensure that you have MySQL-, XML- and Zlib-Support built into your PHP. Support for https (openSSL) and cURL is recommended!

1.2. Client Requirements
VirtueMart can be used with most major browsers including: Internet Explorer (version 5.5+), Firefox,
Opera, Safari and Konqueror. Javascript doesn't need to be enabled when shopping and checking out.
The administration section requires Javascript to be enabled.
The browser needs to be capable of accepting Cookies.

2. Installation and Upgrade
New Installation
When having met all the requirements and when you are running Joomla! or Mambo you have two choices:

1. The automatic installation with Joomla's / Mambo's Element (Component-, Module-, Mambot-)
Installer.
2. The manual installation.

Some users can't use the automatic Installer because of the PHP setting 'safe_mode' being set to 'On'.
In case you're running into trouble with the automatic Installer try the manual installation instead.

Upgrade from mambo-phpShop

You want to upgrade to VirtueMart from mambo-phpShop? This is easy.
All you need to do is install VirtueMart! It will convert your installation of mambo-phpShop, rename
the tables and copy all customer information into its own table #__vm_user_info.
So just follow the instructions for the automatic installation (or if you have difficulties with it: the
manual installation).
Note
It is recommended to uninstall the old mambo-phpShop modules after you have installed the
VirtueMart component and then install the new VirtueMart modules.
Caution
It is absolutely necessary to make a backup of your whole site before you upgrade your
shop! An upgrade failure can always happen! So please: BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP!
Upgrade from VirtueMart 1.0.0-1.0.5
We have fixed a lot of bugs! An upgrade is highly recommended. Just get the "Patch Package" for
your current VirtueMart version and overwrite your exising files with the ones from that package.
The are two small changes to the database, so you must run the following SQL queries on your database
to update it.
Just open phpMyAdmin and run those queries:

#############################################
# SQL update script for upgrading
# from VirtueMart 1.0.x to VirtueMart 1.0.5
#
#############################################
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_product_mf_xref` CHANGE `product_id` `product_id` INT( 11 ) ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_orders` ADD `order_tax_details` TEXT NOT NULL AFTER `order_tax`;
# Allow Shopper group discounts up to 100.00%
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_shopper_group` CHANGE `shopper_group_discount` `shopper_group_# Allow bigger discounts than 999.99
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_product_discount` CHANGE `amount` `amount` DECIMAL( 12, 2 ) # Allow prices up to 9 999 999 999.99
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_product_price` CHANGE `product_price` `product_price` DECIMAL( # Adjust order item price
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_order_item` CHANGE `product_item_price` `product_item_price
# Adjust order item final price
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_order_item` CHANGE `product_final_price` `product_final_price` # Adjust order total, allowing totals up to 9 999 999 999 999.99
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_orders` CHANGE `order_total` `order_total` DECIMAL( 15, 5 ) ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_orders` CHANGE `order_subtotal` `order_subtotal` DECIMAL( 15, # Allow larger coupon amounts
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_orders` CHANGE `coupon_discount` `coupon_discount` DECIMAL( ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_coupons` CHANGE `coupon_value` `coupon_value` DECIMAL( 12, 2 # Allow larger payment discounts
ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_orders` CHANGE `order_discount` `order_discount` DECIMAL( 12, ALTER TABLE `jos_vm_payment_method` CHANGE `payment_method_discount` `payment_method_UPDATE `jos_components` SET `params` = 'RELEASE=1.0.5\nDEV_STATUS=stable' WHERE If you have another database prefix than "jos_" you must change the "jos_" to your prefix (mostly
'mos_' then).
The queries can be found in the file /sql/UPDATE-SCRIPT_VirtueMart_1.0.xto-
VirtueMart_1.0.3.sql and /sql/UPDATE-SCRIPT_VirtueMart_1.0.3-to-
VirtueMart_1.0.5.sql.

3. Automatic Installation

VirtueMart is a complex script. It's not component-only, but also requires a Module. So it comes to
you in a file called 'VirtueMart_x.x_COMPLETE_PACKAGE.zip'. This file contains various
Elements for VirtueMart.
Important
This file is not installable! Its contents are, but they must be unpacked first.
Package Contents:
• 1 Component (com_virtuemart_x.x.tar.gz)
• 1 Main VirtueMart module (mod_virtuemart_x.x.tar.gz)
• 10 additional Modules
• 2 Mambots (1 Search, 1 Content Mambot)

1. Unpack the file 'VirtueMart_x.x_COMPLETE_PACKAGE.zip' to a local directory.
2. Log in into Mambo's Backend (using the URL ' http://joomla_url/administrator') to
access the administrative interface.

You need to have the priviliges of an Administrator / Superadministrator to install Elements.

3. Click 'Installers' => 'Components' (or 'Components' => 'Install/Uninstall' when using an older
Mambo version) in the Top Menu.

Caution
You must check if the directories listed above the component list are writable! If the
directories are not writable, use ftp or JoomlaXplorer to change the permissions. For
proper installation, the directories should be set to 777, after that you can change back
to 755.

In the part 'Upload new component' select the file 'com_virtuemart_x.x.tar.gz'. This is
the package file which contains all files for the VirtueMart Component, located on your computer
(see Step 1).
Now click on 'Upload File & Install'. Since the tar.gz file is about 1 MB in size, you will have to
wait a moment while the file is being uploaded to your server and unpacked.
If the upload takes too long, try Step 4 or do the Manual Installation.

4. Alternative: You can unpack the contents of 'com_virtuemart_x.x.tar.gz' and upload
those files to a remote directory using a ftp connection. Now specify the directory on the server
from where you want to install the files and click 'Install'.
Note
Package Files are mostly a ZIP or tar.gz compressed file directory, which includes all
information for the installation. The main file is an XML document which describes the
installation process. In order to use this function for your installation, your web server
must support the zlib extension. You can check this in the Admin Section Menu
item, System > System Info > System Information.

5. The VirtueMart Component should be installed now. You'll see the Welcome Message Screen with
some options for the next steps:

You can now choose whether you want to install Sample Data (18 products, with attributes, in 5
categories) to see how things have to be set up.
Or you can 'go directly to the Shop >>' without installing Sample Data.

Caution
This step again takes some time & the VirtueMart installer is running a lot of Database
Queries now. So please be patient!

6. Click 'Installers' => 'Modules' (or 'Modules' -> 'Install/Uninstall' if you're using an older Mambo
version) in the Top Menu to proceed to the installation of the VirtueMart Main module.
Choose the file 'mod_virtuemart_x.x.tar.gz' in the File Dialog and click 'Upload File &
Install'.
Repeating this step you can install the additional modules for VirtueMart.
Publishing the Module:
Click 'Modules' -> 'Site Modules' in the Top Menu. Now browse through the list of installed
modules and find the one with the name 'VirtueMart Module'. Select it (click on the name) and
modify its settings/details. You can now choose where to put the Module on your Joomla! site.
For more information about modules please refer to the Joomla! documentation (help.joomla.org
[http://help.joomla.org]).
Important
Anywhere you place the module on your site, IT MUST BE PUBLISHED. If it is not, you
can't access or browse your shop.
Additional modules
mod_product_categories "Product Categories Module"
It can display the product categories you have set up.
mod_productscroller "Product Scroller Module"
It can scroll certain products somewhere on your site using a
marquee tag.
mod_virtuemart_allinone "All-in-one module"
Can display the latest, featured, top-ten or random products in
one module using tabs.
mod_virtuemart_cart "Mini-Cart Module"
Displays the mini-cart for the customer with a link to the cart
page.
mod_virtuemart_featuredprod "Featured Products Module"
Can display featured products in your store. Featured products
are those which are "on special".
mod_virtuemart_latestprod "Latest Products Module"
Displays the newest products in your store.
mod_virtuemart_manufacturers "Manufacturer Module"
Shows all manufacturers from your store with a link to find all
products of the selected manufacturer.

Installation Troubleshooting Oscommerce

Stylesheet: All images are broken

If a page shows everything right except the graphics and formatting are missing then go
to that page and change the link of your stylesheet in whatever file is not displaying
correctly:



All you have to do is find that line in and correct the path to point to your actual
stylesheet.css.

Installation Oscommerce

osCommerce's feature packed out-of-the-box installation allows store owners to setup,
run, and maintain their online stores with minimum effort and with no costs involved.
osCommerce combines open source solutions to provide a free and open development
platform, which includes the powerful PHP web scripting language, the stable Apache
web server, and the fast MySQL database server.
With no restrictions or special requirements, osCommerce can be installed on any PHP3
or PHP4 enabled web server, on any environment that PHP and MySQL supports, which
includes Linux, Solaris, BSD, and Microsoft Windows environments.

New Installation

First, you must download this software in http://oscommerce.com
Then,
Upload the catalog directory to your server using FTP.
All PHP files must be uploaded in ASCII mode, not binary mode.
The structure of osCommerce is:

catalog
catalog/admin
extras

Upload the catalog folder which includes the admin folder to your document root
(public_html, www, htdocs) using FTP.

Using phpMyAdmin or another tool, create your database and user, and assign that user
to the database. Write down the name of the database, username, and password for this
database for the database installation procedure.

Open your web browser and go to http://yourserver/catalog/install/ and click on the
Install button.

The following instructions will guide you to configuring the online store for your server.

Step 1
Please customize your new installation with the following options:

Import Catalog Database - Install the database and add the sample data - leave this box
checked Checking this box will import the database structure, required data, and some sample
data. (required for first time installations)

Automatic Configuration - Save configuration values - leave this box checked
Checking this box will save all entered data during the installation procedure to the
appropriate configuration files on the server.
Click the "Continue" button.

Step 2
Please enter the database server information:
Database Server – localhost
The database server can be in the form of a hostname, such as db1.myserver.com, or as
an IP-address, such as 192.168.0.1.

Username – username
The username used to connect to the database server. An example username is
'mysql_10'.

Note: Create and Drop permissions are required at this point of the installation procedure. This first user should have CREATE privileges on the database

Password – password
The password is used together with the username, which forms the database user account.

Database Name – database name
The database used to hold the data. An example database name is 'osCommerce'.
Persistent Connections:
Enable persistent database connections.
Note: Persistent connections should be disabled for shared servers.

Session Storage:
Files
Database (choose Database)
Store user session data as files on the server, or in the database.

Note: Due to security related issues, database session storage is recommended for
shared servers.

Click the "Continue" button.

Step 3
Database Import

A test connection made to the database was successful.
Please continue the installation process to execute the database import procedure.
It is important this procedure is not interrupted, otherwise the database may end up
corrupt.

The file to import must be located and named at:

/home/username/public_html/catalog/install/oscommerce.sql

Click the "Continue" button.

Database Import

The database import was successful!

Click the "Continue" button.

Step 4
Please enter the web server information:

WWW Address - http://www.your-server.com/catalog/
The full website address to the online store

Webserver Root Directory - /home/username/public_html/catalog/

The server path to the online store

HTTP Cookie Domain - .your-server.com

The domain to store cookies in

HTTP Cookie Path - /catalog/

The path to store cookies under

Enable SSL Connections - if you have ssl enable this

Enable secure SSL/HTTPS connections (requires a secure certificate installed on the web
server)

Click the "Continue" button.

Step 5

Note: This second user only needs SELECT, UPDATE and INSERT privileges if
you are using a second user. Most of times, both mysql users will be the same, but it leaves the door open for added security if wanted.

Database Server - localhost

The database server can be in the form of a hostname, such as db1.myserver.com, or as
an IP address, such as 192.168.0.1

Username – username

The username is used to connect to the database server. An example username is
mysql_10.

Note: If the catalog is to be imported (selected above), the account used to connect to
the database server needs to have Create and Drop permissions.

Password – password

The password is used together with the username, which forms the database user account

Database Name – database name

The database used to hold the catalog data. An example database name is catalog
Persistent Connections:
Enable persistent database connections.
Note: Persistent connections should be disabled for shared servers.

Session Storage:
Files
Database (choose Database)

Store user session data as files on the server, or in the database.

Note: Due to security related issues, database session storage is recommended for
shared servers.

Click the "Continue" button.

You are nearly finished!

Rename the catalog/install folder or delete it.

Reset the permissions on /catalog/includes/configure.php to 644 (if you are still getting
the warning message at the top set configure.php to 444 which is read only - this happens
on some servers that have been updated for security reasons).

Set the permissions on /catalog/images directory to 777.

Reset the permissions on /catalog/admin/includes/configure.php to 644.

Create the dir /catalog/admin/backups and set the permissions to 777.

Set the permissions on /catalog/admin/images/graphs directory to 777.

You need to .htaccess your /catalog/admin directory so that it is password protected. You
can use the password manager in your server admin area like cpanel.

Congratulations! Now you are really done!

Proctecting Shopping Cart

Please carefully read information below if your installation of Shop-Script FREE is
available for 3rd parties, i.e. if you have installed Shop-Script FREE to a remote server
and/or your shopping cart is accessible in the Internet or a Local Area Network.

Once Shop-Script FREE is installed, first thing you need to do is properly configure and protect
your installation (and information).

At first,
Make sure you have deleted install.php file.
You have to do it manually with the FTP manager (e.g. CuteFTP, ftpzilla).

Second,
Make sure that HTTP access (i.e. access through a web browser) to following folders is
prohibited:
• cfg
• includes
• templates_c

These folders contain secure and sensitive information, which should not be available for 3rd
parties.

If you are using Apache HTTP server, these folders are already protected by .htaccess files
(they are included in the package). For other web servers (e.g. IIS) please refer to your
operating system manual and support resources.

To make sure you properly protected folders mentioned above, please try to point your
browser to these folders, e.g. http://www.mywebsite.com/shop/cfg/,
http://www.mywebsite.com/shop/cfg/connect.inc.php.
Pointing your browser to any of these folders or files inside these folders should bring up
“Forbidden” error message.
Do not protect products_pictures/ folder from public HTTP access. Otherwise product images
will not be displayed.
Third (UNIX/FreeBSD/Linux/MacOSX users only),
Verify proper access permissions for the certain folders and files (chmod):
In the installation guide you were told to set:

• chmod 777 for the following folders:
o products_pictures/ folder
o templates_c/ folder
• chmod 666 for all files in the cfg/ folder (i.e. connect.inc.php, tables.inc.php and
others).

By specifying such access permissions you will enable (re)write permissions for these
files/folders. Shop-Script should be able to create new files inside products_pictures,
templates_c folders (e.g. upload product picture files) and rewrite existing files inside cfg
folder (e.g. save database settings).
Depending on server configuration proper chmod value may differ – for example, this
depends on the user group to which Apache HTTP server (and PHP) belongs.
Recommended chmod values - 777 for folders and 666 for the files - will work on all
systems.
However, on some systems setting chmod 777 for the listed folders may be
insecure!
To get to know which chmod value should be set on your server please contact your
hosting provider - simply ask them such a question: “Which access permissions value
(chmod) should I set for the folder to make my PHP scripts be able to create files in this
folder? Will setting chmod 777 for the folder be insecure? What chmod value would you
suggest to set?”.
After your hosting provider suggests you a proper chmod value, please set it for the folders
listed above.

Forth,
Finally, please follow to ‘Settings’ section of Shop-Script FREE administrative mode to
configure your shopping cart settings (e.g. define email address, shopping cart URL, name
and other information).

Installating Zip Version Free Shop Script for Remote Server

In this section you will find instructions on how to install Zip Version of Shop-Script FREE on a
remote server.
At first you have to make sure that a remote server meets system requirements listed in the
‘System requirements’ section of this document. Please contact your hosting provider to verify
server configuration.
Installation instructions:
1. Unpack Shop-Script FREE zip archive into a separate folder on your computer.
2. Upload all unpacked files to the remote server into a separate folder.
Files can be uploaded with your FTP manager (e.g. CuteFTP, ftpzilla). FTP connection
settings can be obtained from your hosting provider.
It is highly recommended to install Shop-Script FREE (upload files) into an empty directory
on the remote server!
Please make sure to upload ALL files. Otherwise Shop-Script FREE may function
improperly.
3. Create a new database that will be used for Shop-Script FREE.
However, if you already have an empty database you may use it as well.
4. Enable write permissions for the following files and folders:
• all files inside cfg/ folder (e.g. connect.inc.php, tables.inc.php and all other files)
• products_pictures/ folder
• templates_c/ folder
How to enable write permissions?
• Windows IIS servers (Windows hosting):
IIS runs as the IUSER_[machine name] local user, thus to enable write permissions
on folders and files specified above please grant IUSER_[machine name] rights to
rewrite these files and folders. Please contact your hosting provider to learn how to
change files and folders permissions on the remote server.
• UNIX/Linux/FreeBSD/Mac OS servers:
File permissions are defined using chmod command.
Please set chmod 666 for the files listed above (i.e. all files in the cfg/ folder), and
chmod 777 for the listed folders (i.e. products_pictures, templates_c).
* See “Protecting your shopping cart” section of this User Guide for more information about file
permissions.
You will not be able to continue with the installation until permissions are not properly set.
5. Run install.php
Simply point your browser to
http: // / install.php

(e.g. http://www.mywebsite.com/shop/install.php)
Install.php script should appear in your web browser as follows:

If this page does not appear as presented on the screenshot above, please refer to ‘Troubleshooting’ section of
this User Guide.
Specify database connection settings (this information can be obtained from your hosting
provider) and administrator’s login/password:

Using login and password you provide here you will be able to access your store backend
(administrative mode). After installation is complete you will be able to change
administrator’s login and password at anytime.
After you finish specifying installation preferences, click Install!
6. Congratulations! Shop-Script FREE has been successfully installed.
You should be shown a screen with "Installation successful" message and a link to Shop-
Script FREE storefront (shopping cart public interface):

If this page does not appear as presented on the screenshot above, please refer to ‘Troubleshooting’ section of
this User Guide.
After the installation is complete, please carefully read instructions in the “Protecting
your shopping cart” section of this User Guide!

Manual Installation For Free Shop Script

Please follow instructions provided below only if you already have:
• HTTP server installed (e.g. Apache, IIS);
• Your system meets system requirements provided in ‘System requirements’ section of
this document.

Shop-Script Zip Version installation procedure:

1. Create a separate folder or a virtual server where all Shop-Script FREE files will be
stored (Shop-Script root folder).
2. Unpack Shop-Script FREE archive to this folder.
Please make sure to unpack all content of the archive. Otherwise Shop-Script may
function improperly.
3. Create a new database that will be used for your shopping cart system (if you
already have an empty database, you may use it as well).
4. Enable write permissions for following files and folders:
o all files inside cfg/ folder (e.g. connect.inc.php, tables.inc.php and others)
o products_pictures/ folder
o templates_c/ folder

How to enable write permissions?
• Windows Apache users:
Please skip this step. You do not need to enable write permissions since they are
already enabled.
• Windows IIS users:
IIS runs as the IUSER_[machine name] local user, thus to enable write
permissions on folders and files specified above please grant IUSER_[machine
name] rights to rewrite these files and folders.
You will not be able to continue with the installation until permissions are not
properly set.
• UNIX/Linux/FreeBSD/Mac OS users:
File permissions are defined using chmod command.
Please set chmod 666 for the files listed above (i.e. all files in the cfg/ folder),
and chmod 777 for the listed folders (i.e. products_pictures, templates_c).

* See “Protecting your shopping cart” section of this User Guide for more information about file
permissions.

You will not be able to continue with the installation until permissions are set
properly.
5. Run install.php
Simply point your browser to:
http:///install.php
e.g. http://localhost/shop/install.php
Install.php script should appear in your web browser as follows:

If this page does not appear as presented on the screenshot above, please refer to ‘Troubleshooting’ section of this User Guide.

Specify database connection settings and administrator’s login/password:
Using login and password you provide here you will be able to access your store
backend (administrative mode). After installation is complete you will be able to change
administrator’s login and password at anytime.
After you finish specifying installation preferences, click Install!

6. Congratulations! Shop-Script FREE has been successfully installed.
You will be shown a screen with "Installation successful" message and a link to Shop-
Script FREE storefront (shopping cart public interface):
If this page does not appear as presented on the screenshot above, please refer to ‘Troubleshooting’ section
of this User Guide.

Installating Zip Version for local computer

Installation to your local computer

In this section you will find instructions on how to install Zip Version of Shop-Script FREE on your
computer.
At first you have to make sure that you have required software installed on your computer (HTTP
server, PHP, MySQL) - see ‘System requirements’ section for details.
If you are familiar with such terms as PHP, MySQL and already have all required software installed
please refer to ‘Manual installation (advanced)’ paragraph under this section.
If you are not quite sure regarding what software is already installed on your machine, please
refer to the instructions under ‘Installation with EasyPHP’ paragraph below.

Installation with EasyPHP (recommended)
Following instructions are recommended for users who are not familiar with web technologies and
for those who do not have required software installed on their computers (see ‘System
requirements’ section for details).
Installation instructions:
1. Download the latest version of EasyPHP from www.easyphp.org.
EasyPHP is a complete software package allowing to use all the power and the flexibility
that offers the dynamic language PHP and the efficient use of databases under Windows.
Package includes an Apache server, a MySQL database, a fully PHP execution, as well as
easy development tools for your website or your applications.
After download is complete, run the EasyPHP executable file and follow the instructions
provided by the installation wizard. In the installation options we recommend changing
Install Folder to "C:/EasyPHP" because a shorter directory name is easier to remember.
2. Run EasyPHP on your computer after you finish its installation.
3. Create a new database that will be used for your shopping cart system.
To do this you need to create an empty shop_data folder in the
"C:/EasyPHP/MySQL/Data" directory.
After you create this folder you should have an empty folder
C:/EasyPHP/MySQL/Data/shop_data, where MySQL database files will be stored.
By creating this folder you will create a new database named shop_data.
4. Unpack Shop-Script FREE archive into an EasyPHP home folder - "C:/EasyPHP/www".
If you do not have compression software installed, we suggest you to download WinZip
software from www.winzip.com and unpack Shop-Script FREE archive using this software.
Please make sure to unpack and copy all content of Shop-Script FREE archive
(else you will not be able to install the software).
5. Run install.php
To do this simply point your browser to http://localhost/install.php.
Install.php script should appear in your web browser as follows:

Install.php offers you to input database connection settings:

Please input database connection settings according to the screenshot above:
Database host: localhost
Database username: root
Database password: [leave blank]
Database name: shop_data
Below the database connection settings form, there is a form to input administrator’s login
and password:
Using login and password you provide here you will be able to access your store backend
(administrative mode). After installation is complete you will be able to change
administrator’s login and password at anytime.
After you finish specifying installation preferences, click Install!
6. Congratulations! Shop-Script FREE has been successfully installed.
You will be shown a screen with "Installation successful" message and a link to Shop-Script
FREE storefront (shopping cart public interface):