oscommerce installation from scratch

[bokachoda]

i'm a complete noob and i want to learn how to operate oscommerce
so if anybody could kindly outline the procedures to install os commerce to begin with then it would be really helpful and i prefer using WAMP5 rather than fantastico or sth like that so base your reply on that please.
Thanx in advance.

[michael_s]

I recommend starting with osCMax instead of osCommerce. The learning curve is about the same, but you get so much more for your efforts in terms of features included.

There is a free install guide in the osCMax User Manual. Download it from here:
The osCMax Store.

[bokachoda]

ok man will do but still want to know how to use oscommerce with WAMP and not any other applications because i gotta help a friend out so, help me out.

[michael_s]

The install guide shows how to install it from scratch.

Install your favorite WAMP solution.
Download the osCMax package.
Follow the install guide.

No other apps involved.

[bokachoda]

in the install guide, i don't get how am i suppose to follow the rules from Install Step:3 because it asks for Web Hosting control panel and sth else
i know i'm bothering u but plz help a brother out till the end.

[michael_s]

Time to think a little. You are running WAMP on your local computer, so obviously you skip the steps that are related to uploading to a web host. Just put the shop in a subfolder of the html folder on your WAMP install.

Same goes for creating the datbase. You are running mysql locally, so create the DB locally with whatever tool you like (command line, phpmyadmin, whatever).

[bokachoda]

i got it!
i have to put the catalog folder only to the wamp/www folder and then run that from wamp.......that is how i got oscommerce working not oscmax actually but they should be same.Thanx for your help regarding oscmax so far.
now lets get back to the topic, since i was successful to install oscommerce now i want to learn about it like to begin with:

1. how i find login for admin after i restart oscommerce?

2.how do i replace the default template with one of my own?

i'll base all my work according to your replies so help me

[jpf]

Once install is complete - it gives you two links - one is the ADMIN the other is your Catalog.

For WAMP - your URL directory are the same as your live site - replace the 'http://www.whatever.com' to 'localhost'

Thus -
Install is normally: localhost/catalog/install
Catalog is normally: localhost/catalog
Admin is normally: localhost/catalog/admin


Your "host" cPanel is now the WAMP interface or administration menu etc...

Good Luck!

[bokachoda]

Once install is complete - it gives you two links - one is the ADMIN the other is your Catalog.

For WAMP - your URL directory are the same as your live site - replace the 'http://www.whatever.com' to 'localhost'

Thus -
Install is normally: localhost/catalog/install
Catalog is normally: localhost/catalog
Admin is normally: localhost/catalog/admin


Your "host" cPanel is now the WAMP interface or administration menu etc...

Good Luck!

Okay that answers my first question but what about the 2nd question?
how am i suppose to replace the default template to one of my own or do i have to edit that template to look like i want it to be?

[michael_s]

Make a new directory in the templates folder, name it whatever you like - newtemplate for instance.

Then copy the contents of the fallback directory to it, including the subfolders. Then set the template directory in the admin, under My Store to the name of your template folder, in my example it would be newtemplate.

That will set your site to use your new template. Now edit the stylesheet.css and the main_page.tpl.php that are in your newtemplate directory in your favorite html editor.