Problem with migration and db type

[cvrak]

Hi,

I've tried to upgrade VM 3.0.14 to the latest version and I've got the following error "To ensure seemless working with Virtuemart please use MySQLi as database type in Joomla configuration".
I've changed the db type, tried again and after modifing a lot of db tables the update was done.
But I got a serious problem: VM links are not working, I've got Error 404 Category not found.


Pls advice
Thanks

Joomla version: 3.8.3
PHP: 5.6.35

[jenkinhill]

Badly configured server? Were you using MySQLi before the update?

http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=139904

[cvrak]

Before the update I used MySQL.
Is this causing the problem?

Now, I've upgraded PHP to 7.0.29
Tried again to upgrade VM to latest version, I got notices and messages about DB tables (you can see at the end of my post) and  the message that the update was successfull
The problem remains, when i try to load a VM link I get the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS message

FYI in system information I see that Db type is myswql, eventhough I've set it in Global configuration as My SQLi
Database Type   mysql
Database Version   5.5.5-10.2.14-MariaDB
Database Collation   utf8_general_ci
Database Connection Collation   utf8mb4_general_ci


Pls advice
Thanks

===========================
Notice
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_calcs.calc_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_categories.category_template
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_categories.category_layout
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_categories.category_product_layout
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_categories.products_per_row
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_categories.limit_list_step
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_categories.cat_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_categories.metarobot
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_categories.metaauthor
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_countries.country_name
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_coupons.coupon_code
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_coupons.coupon_start_date
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_coupons.coupon_expiry_date
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_name
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_exchange_rate
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_symbol
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_decimal_place
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_decimal_symbol
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_thousands
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_positive_style
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_currencies.currency_negative_style
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_customs.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_customs.custom_value
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_customs.custom_desc
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_invoices.inv_hash
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.file_title
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.file_description
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.file_meta
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.file_class
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.file_mimetype
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.file_type
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_medias.file_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_modules.module_description
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orders.order_tax
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orders.order_shipment
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orders.order_payment
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orders.coupon_code
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orders.user_currency_rate
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_orders.user_shoppergroups
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orders.payment_currency_rate
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_orders.o_hash
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_order_histories.comments
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_order_histories.o_hash
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_order_items.virtuemart_order_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_order_items.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_order_items.oi_hash
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_order_calc_rules.virtuemart_calc_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_order_calc_rules.virtuemart_order_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_order_calc_rules.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_order_calc_rules.calc_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orderstates.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_orderstates.order_status_color
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_orderstates.order_status_description
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_paymentmethods.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_paymentmethods.payment_element
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_paymentmethods.payment_params
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_products.product_stockhandle
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_products.product_availability
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_products.product_special
alterTable ADD jos_virtuemart_products.product_discontinued
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_products.product_sales
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_products.product_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_products.intnotes
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_products.layout
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_products.published
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_product_customfields.customfield_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_product_customfields.product_sku
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_product_customfields.product_gtin
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_product_customfields.product_mpn
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_rating_reviews.comment
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_shipmentmethods.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_shipmentmethods.shipment_element
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_shipmentmethods.shipment_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_shoppergroups.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_shoppergroups.shopper_group_name
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_shoppergroups.shopper_group_desc
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_states.state_name
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfields.name
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfields.title
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfields.type
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfields.value
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfields.default
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfields.userfield_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfield_values.fieldtitle
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_userfield_values.fieldvalue
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_vendors.vendor_name
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_vendors.vendor_params
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_vendors.metarobot
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_vendors.metaauthor
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_vmusers.customer_number
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_waitingusers.notify_email
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_waitingusers.notify_date
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_worldzones.virtuemart_vendor_id
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_worldzones.zone_name
alterTable CHANGE jos_virtuemart_worldzones.zone_description
Before updating ensure that the update is compatible with your Joomla! installation.


Message
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_calcs dropped: 0 altered: 1 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_categories dropped: 0 altered: 7 added: 1
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_countries dropped: 0 altered: 1 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_coupons dropped: 0 altered: 3 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_currencies dropped: 0 altered: 8 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_customs dropped: 0 altered: 3 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_invoices dropped: 0 altered: 0 added: 1
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_medias dropped: 0 altered: 8 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_modules dropped: 0 altered: 1 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_orders dropped: 0 altered: 6 added: 2
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_order_histories dropped: 0 altered: 1 added: 1
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_order_items dropped: 0 altered: 2 added: 1
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_order_calc_rules dropped: 0 altered: 4 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_orderstates dropped: 0 altered: 2 added: 1
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_paymentmethods dropped: 0 altered: 3 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_products dropped: 0 altered: 7 added: 2
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_product_customfields dropped: 0 altered: 4 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_rating_reviews dropped: 0 altered: 1 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_shipmentmethods dropped: 0 altered: 3 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_shoppergroups dropped: 0 altered: 3 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_states dropped: 0 altered: 1 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_userfields dropped: 0 altered: 6 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_userfield_values dropped: 0 altered: 2 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_vendors dropped: 0 altered: 4 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_vmusers dropped: 0 altered: 1 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_waitingusers dropped: 0 altered: 2 added: 0
Table updated: Tablename jos_virtuemart_worldzones dropped: 0 altered: 3 added: 0
Updating component was successful.
===================================================

[jenkinhill]

The table update reports look fine.

ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS is Joomla generated. Possible causes are issues with .htaccess or forcing https in Joomla/VM when SSL is best enabled for the whole site using .htaccess. Also could be an issue with the menu configuration.

The PHP MySQL plugin was deprecated as from PHP5.5 and removed from PHP7.0 onwards in favour of the MySQLi plugin - and yes, Joomla does report MySQLi simply as mysql

[cvrak]

Can you elaborate what you mean? Do I have to make some correction in the .htaccess file? See at the end of the post
Thanks

===============
##
# @package    Joomla
# @copyright  Copyright (C) 2005 - 2016 Open Source Matters. All rights reserved.
# @license    GNU General Public License version 2 or later; see LICENSE.txt
##

##
# READ THIS COMPLETELY IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE THIS FILE!
#
# The line just below this section: 'Options +FollowSymLinks' may cause problems
# with some server configurations.  It is required for use of mod_rewrite, but may already
# be set by your server administrator in a way that disallows changing it in
# your .htaccess file.  If using it causes your server to error out, comment it out (add # to
# beginning of line), reload your site in your browser and test your sef url's.  If they work,
# it has been set by your server administrator and you do not need it set here.
##

## No directory listings
IndexIgnore *

## Can be commented out if causes errors, see notes above.
Options +FollowSymlinks
Options -Indexes

## Mod_rewrite in use.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R,L]

## Begin - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits.
# If you experience problems on your site block out the operations listed below
# This attempts to block the most common type of exploit `attempts` to Joomla!
#
# Block out any script trying to base64_encode data within the URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} base64_encode[^(]*\([^)]*\) [OR]
# Block out any script that includes a <script> tag in URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (<|%3C)([^s]*s)+cript.*(>|%3E) [NC,OR]
# Block out any script trying to set a PHP GLOBALS variable via URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} GLOBALS(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2}) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to modify a _REQUEST variable via URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} _REQUEST(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2})
# Return 403 Forbidden header and show the content of the root homepage
RewriteRule .* index.php [F]
#
## End - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits.

## Begin - Custom redirects
#
# If you need to redirect some pages, or set a canonical non-www to
# www redirect (or vice versa), place that code here. Ensure those
# redirects use the correct RewriteRule syntax and the [R=301,L] flags.
#
## End - Custom redirects

##
# Uncomment following line if your webserver's URL
# is not directly related to physical file paths.
# Update Your Joomla! Directory (just / for root).
##

# RewriteBase /

## Begin - Joomla! core SEF Section.
#
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]
#
# If the requested path and file is not /index.php and the request
# has not already been internally rewritten to the index.php script
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index\.php
# and the requested path and file doesn't directly match a physical file
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
# and the requested path and file doesn't directly match a physical folder
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
# internally rewrite the request to the index.php script
RewriteRule .* index.php [L]
#
## End - Joomla! core SEF Section.
========

[jenkinhill]

That is just the default .htaccess except for

RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R,L]

which is usually OK as long as it is compatible with your server.

I use the following as I prefer the www. to be dropped from urls.

# match any URL with www and rewrite it to https without the www
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^(www\.)(.*) [NC]
RewriteRule (.*) https://%2%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

# match urls that are non https (without the www)
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^(www\.)(.*) [NC]
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

If you are setting https in the server then you should not set Joomla to "Force HTTPS" in Global Configuration server settings, and don't select "Enable SSL for sensitive areas" in VM configuration.


If you Google    ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS joomla    then you can see plenty of information of causes and possible solutions.

[jenkinhill]

Also be sure to clear your browser cache every time you test.

[cvrak]

If you are setting https in the server then you should not set Joomla to "Force HTTPS" in Global Configuration server settings, and don't select "Enable SSL for sensitive areas" in VM configuration.


If you Google    ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS joomla    then you can see plenty of information of causes and possible solutions.

1. Force HTTPS is not checked in joomla Global Configuration
2. "Enable SSL for sensitive areas" is not selected.
3.  In order to figure out what's wrong, I set "Search Engine Friendly URLs"-->No, in Global configuration. So, If I'm correct .htaccess is not used anymore.
    and now
   - When I have "Enable VirtueMart 404 error handling" checked, I get "Category not found" error message and the storefront is displayed. This is strange, since categories are there.
   - When I have "Enable VirtueMart 404 error handling" unchecked I get ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error message.

I'm frustrated, I cannot understand what's wrong, before the upgrade everything was working ok.
The URL of the site is www.4epoches.com  If you go to the 3rd menu item, the one with the cart image, you'll see what I mean. This link should display a category "recommended products"

Pls help
Thanks

[jenkinhill]

There is no menu link to the VM "homepage"? 

www.4epoches.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=category&virtuemart_category_id=0&virtuemart_manufacturer_id=0  works OK when entered in the browser address bar.

[cvrak]

There is no menu link to the VM "homepage"? 

www.4epoches.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=category&virtuemart_category_id=0&virtuemart_manufacturer_id=0  works OK when entered in the browser address bar.

No, there is no menu link to VM homepage.
The link you refer if for all categories and products. This is working, but the menu item for the specific category is not. Also, the left menu with categories is not working.

[cvrak]

After many tests, i've figured out what caused the problem.
After update, for some uknown reason, the e-shop lang was set to Greek. When I've changed it to English, everything is ok.
Probably this is caused because of the Greek package installed, some "misunderstanding" from VM.

I'd propose that multilang e-shop should be one thing and translated e-shop should be another. I don't know if I'm expressing right, or if this is possible, but in many occasions its far easier to just have translation than to set a 2 lang e-shop.

Any feedback welcome.
Thanks

[Milbo]

"I've tried to upgrade VM 3.0.14 to the latest version and I've got the following error "To ensure seemless working with Virtuemart please use MySQLi as database type in Joomla configuration"."

This just meant, that you should select "MYSQLI" in the JOOMLA configuration. It has nothing todo with your underlying mysql. When you want to setup a multilanguage store, then you should setup first a simple store, in one language and learn VM first, then you can later easily extend it, when you understood the system.

"I'd propose that multilang e-shop should be one thing and translated e-shop should be another. I don't know if I'm expressing right, or if this is possible, but in many occasions its far easier to just have translation than to set a 2 lang e-shop."
Exactly, VM provides that. You can have a store with 20 languages (joomla), but products in only 5 different languages. And you expressed it quite well. Joomla does NOT provide translations. VM does!