[SOLVED] Transferring from Opencart v4.0.2.2 from Localhost to Online Server

Having just had two days of trying to sort out the complexities of this process (which is actually as straightforward as claimed, once one knows how); I thought it might help other "newbies" if I wrote some notes about it.

Prepare domain on Online webserver. This installation was via cPanel. Install Opencart via Softaculous (should make updates easier).
1. Then copy Online config.php files (home and admin directories) and save copies for review.
Use these saved copies to:
2. make sure DB_DATABASE has same name in Online Databases>phpMyAdmin.
3. ensure DB_PREFIX has same name in Online Databases>phpMyAdmin>Database Tables.
4. Ensure DB-PASSWORD has the same name in Online Databases > MySQL Databases (under Databases section). If cannot view password (as in cPanel), just change to match the config.php files.

Then Export Local Opencart database files (check 'all' in list box) to sql file.
Then go to Online phpMyAdmin; click on Database to open (viewing tables); then click on Import. In import window, able to choose local sql file. After import, leave phpMyAdmin, then logout.
Then Use FileZilla to transfer Opencart Files, except config.php files from localhost home and admin directories. If the local php files are copied over the Online ones, problems will ensue.

Errors encountered:

Problem 1.
Attempting to install via Softaculous almost impossible due to being constantly logged out before completing the installation.
Solution 1.
This was due to some error in the Chrome browser; changing to another browser stopped the problem.

Problem 2.
Installation of Opencart via Softaculous;
then attempting to login to admin produced "Error 404" and attempting to login to website produced "PHP 8+ required".
Solution 2.
Changing php version solved it. cPanel has a MultiPHP Manager icon in the Software section to do this.

Problem 3.
Exception: Error: Could not make a database link using *********_**oc@localhost!
Message: Access denied for user '*******_**oc'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in /home/********/********.nz/system/library/db/mysqli.php on line 32
Solution 3.
Password in CPanel MySql Database did not match password in Online config.php files (see above).

Problem 4.
Error: Table '*****_**oc.**oc_store' doesn't exist.
Solution 4.
Database prefix was not the same as in the online database table (see above).

Now online!

Thanks for sharing this here.

Personally, I wouldn't use Softaculous.

Don't know enough to comment about Softaculous. Had used previously for another package with no issues. However, really doesn't matter when checking the php files with the installed files? Thanks for commenting.

JNeuhoff wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:37 pm

Personally, I wouldn't use Softaculous.

Indeed.

Why not simply:

1. Copy files from local to live.
2. Copy db from local to live.
3. Adjust both config.php files on live.

Job done.

Your answer is precisely why I wrote the notes. Without wanting to insult your expertise or be provocative. I am a thinking, very much older female without much experience in this arena of developing a website for a small operation. It has taken me a month of solid work to learn, from the offerings available, to decide to use and then learn about Opencart sufficiently enough to even contemplate placing it online. As I said in my notes, it's easy when one knows how; but please have some empathy for those just beginning. I am grateful for help such as this forum; if what I have written helps even one in return, then that's OK.

FemmesoleNZ wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 09, 2023 11:32 am

Your answer is precisely why I wrote the notes. Without wanting to insult your expertise or be provocative. I am a thinking, very much older female without much experience in this arena of developing a website for a small operation. It has taken me a month of solid work to learn, from the offerings available, to decide to use and then learn about Opencart sufficiently enough to even contemplate placing it online. As I said in my notes, it's easy when one knows how; but please have some empathy for those just beginning. I am grateful for help such as this forum; if what I have written helps even one in return, then that's OK.

Glad to hear you chose OpenCart and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for posting your notes as well.

Generally the simpler method I posted is the way to go to avoid various problems, so hopefully it helps!

paulfeakins wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 08, 2023 7:05 pm

Indeed.

Why not simply:

1. Copy files from local to live.
2. Copy db from local to live.
3. Adjust both config.php files on live.

Job done.

Is vice versa true?

I mean;

1. Copy files from live to local.
2. Copy db from live to local.
3. Adjust both config.php files on local.

Job done??
Thank you!

OpenCustomer wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2024 4:26 am

Is vice versa true?

Of course.

paulfeakins wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2024 6:26 pm

OpenCustomer wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2024 4:26 am

Is vice versa true?

Of course.

I am afraid there seems to be an expired SSL Certificate data came along with the files downloaded from the live site. It requires 'https' connection and I receive the following error when I tried to open the localhost site:

----------------------
Your connection is not private
net::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
Subject: localhost
Issuer: localhost
Expires on: Nov 9, 2019
Current date: Oct 10, 2024
----------------------

Any suggestions?
Thanks

OpenCustomer wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:36 pm

I am afraid there seems to be an expired SSL Certificate data
...
Any suggestions?

Change all links in the 2 config.php files to be http rather than https.

paulfeakins wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:18 pm

Change all links in the 2 config.php files to be http rather than https.

My both config file read as follows:

// HTTP
define('HTTP_SERVER', 'http://localhost/SiteName/');

// HTTPS
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'http://localhost/SiteName/');

I am getting https warning in Chrome only. Site works fine on Edge.

OpenCustomer wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2024 7:03 pm

I am getting https warning in Chrome only. Site works fine on Edge.

Well somewhere in your code you must have an HTTPS.

If you only have 'http://' in your config.php files, then it should be fine using your 'http://localhost'. Chrome might complain, for testing I always use FireFox.

Problem 1 and Problem 2, Softaculous is not recommended, you had better download and install opencart all by yourself.
Problem 3 is wrong password.
Problem 4 is due to opencart 4.0+ uses InnoDB engine, so you need to backup your database before moving to online server.
you cannot direct copy your database files from local to online sever.
InnoDB engine is very different from MyISAM engine.
you can use phpmyadmin to backup and restore your database.

paulfeakins wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2024 7:27 pm

Well somewhere in your code you must have an HTTPS.

You know what? Deleting the Chrome cookies fixed the problem! Now, localhost site loads just fine.

Thank you for your suggestions so far. I appreciate.

OpenCustomer wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 12, 2024 5:18 pm

You know what? Deleting the Chrome cookies fixed the problem! Now, localhost site loads just fine.

Great stuff, so please add [SOLVED] to the start of this topic title.

paulfeakins wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 14, 2024 6:04 pm

Great stuff, so please add [SOLVED] to the start of this topic title.

I am not the starter of this topic. How do I do that?

OpenCustomer wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 14, 2024 7:50 pm

paulfeakins wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 14, 2024 6:04 pm

Great stuff, so please add [SOLVED] to the start of this topic title.

I am not the starter of this topic. How do I do that?

No worries, I'll do it now.