Customizing the look of your site

There are 5 main places in VPASP that you need to modify in order to change the appearance of your shopping cart.

- shop$colors.asp

- shop.css

- shoppage_header.htm

- shoppage_footer.htm

- VPASP Merchant Configuration

Click here to see the design guide section on Shopping Cart Display.

    

Windows Installation Document

Our Quickstart Guide, available at http://www.vpasp.com/virtprog/quickstart.pdf, provides you with a detailed guide to installing VP-ASP on your local computer or web server.

The guide includes screenshots and full descriptions of each step.
    

Starting Off

VP-ASP is designed to make setup fast and easy, by following these setup instructions you should be able to have your site working wthin 15 minutes.

Step 1 - Check Hosting Environment
VPASP can work on both Windows and Unix operating systems but you need to purchase the right version for your particular hosting environment.
Click here for more information on hosting

Step 2 - Installing Files
VPASP will come in the form of a ZIP file.  You need to unzip these files into a directory on your computer.  Then you need to upload these files onto your web server.
Click here for more information installing files

Step 3 - Set Up Database
VPASP supports Access, SQLServer and MySQL databases but they all need to be set up differently.  Please read this database setup guide for more information.

Step 4 - Set up shop$config.asp
shop$config.asp is a small file that contains vital information regarding how your online shop is set up.  It is important that you enter the correct information into this file.  Please read this guide on how to setup shop$config.asp
After this step your shop should be ready for use.

Step 5 - Using the Administration
The VPASP administration is the control panel for your shop, it is where you change configuration settings and add products and categories.  The default administration page is shopadmin.asp, type this into your browser (for example http://www.yourvpaspsite.com/shopadmin.asp).
The default username and password are both "admin"

The administration contains hundreds of features, please read our user guides for information on how to use the administration.

Step 6 - Customising the look of your site
There are 5 main places in VPASP that you need to modify in order to change the appearance of your shopping cart.

- shop$colors.asp
- shop.css
- shoppage_header.asp
- shoppage_footer.asp
- VPASP Merchant Configuration

Click here to see the design guide section on Shopping Cart Display.

Step 7 - Securing your site
Once you have set up your site it is a good idea to secure it so hackers and intruders don't have access to your important information and settings.

VPASP contains some files and settings that are designed to make it easy for you to set up your shopping cart.

Once your have completed the setting up of your site then you need to remove these as soon as possible.

Click here for more information on how to secure your site.

    

** QUICK SETUP GUIDE **

1.0 Introduction
This guide will help you get your copy of VP-ASP shopping cart up and running on either your local server or on your web host. It provides the basics to get you up and running.

2.0 Check Internet Information Services (IIS) is Installed
If you are running your store on a web host then you can skip this section.

System Requirements:
Any of:
• Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/2003/XP-Pro

To check if IIS is running, open a web browser and enter http://localhost

If your IIS is running you will be taken to a page that says your web server is running, if not you will get a “Page Cannot Be Displayed” error.

For more information on installing IIS please visit –
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/iiiisin2.mspx

3.0 Installing VP-ASP – Windows Installation Using Access Database

1. You will first need to create a sub-directory on your server to contain your VP-ASP files. This directory should be in the root IIS folder.
   a. Name this subdirectory shopping eg: C:/Inetpub/wwwroot/shopping
2. Your VP-ASP software should be contained in a zip file. Unzip this file and place the contents into your newly created directory
3. Now open the shop$config.asp file in your shopping directory to edit it
   Locate approximately line 14 and replace
   const xordernumber=""
   with
   1. If using the free version:
      const xordernumber="STARTER"
   2. If using Value, Plus! or Deluxe replcae **** with your order number:
      const xordernumber="*****"
4. Once this is done type the path to the site into the URL bar of a browser, for example
   http://localhost/shopping
   You should now see the VP-ASP welcome screen, and if you press the link “Enter your VP-ASP Shopping Cart”, you will see the home page of your store.
5. Now if you delete both index.htm and default.htm, the first page you will see each time you enter your stores URL in a browser will be the stores home page.

3.1 Setting Database Permissions

If your site is uploaded to your web host you can skip this section, but you will need to ask your host to enable read and right permissions on the database folder in your shopping sub-directory

1. Right click on the directory containing the database
2. Click on 'Properties'
3. Choose the 'Security' tab form the dialog box window
4. Uncheck 'Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propagate to this object', from the bottom of the dialog box
5. Next, click on the 'Add' button at the top left of the window
   
   
   
   
6. Next the 'Select Users or Groups' dialog box will open, highlight 'IUSR_MyComputer' account from the list by clicking on it. Where 'MyComputer' is this will be the name of your computer. 'IUSER' is the Internet Guest Account setup by default when IIS is installed on the system.
7. Next click on the 'Add' button in the middle left of the dialog box. You should then see 'MyComputer\IUSER_MyComputer' appear in the box in the bottom half of the dialog box. Again where 'MyComputer' is will be the name of your computer
8. Now click on the 'OK' button at the bottom right of the 'Select Users or Groups' dialog box.
9. 9. You should now be back at the 'Security Properties' dialog box where the top box should now contain the 'Internet Guest Account (MyComputer\IUSER_MyComputer)'
10. Highlight the 'Internet Guest Account (MyComputer\IUSER_MyComputer)' by clicking on it in the top box
11. Select 'Read' and 'Write' permissions for this account by checking the boxes at the bottom of the window (If you are not to worried about security you could check all the boxes to make sure that you have no problems with permissions).
12. Next repeat all the steps above on the database itself, to make sure the database also has the correct permissions

3.1.2 Test Permissions
Now you will have to test to ensure all the permissions are set correctly.

1. In your browser run the diag_dbtest.asp script that is located in your shopping directory
   For example: http://localhost/shopping/diag_dbtest.asp
2. Now click Test Database

You should receive the following screen

If you don’t get the screen above, go back to 3.1 and go through the steps again to ensure that you didn’t miss anything.

4.0 VP-ASP – Windows Installation Using SQL Server Database

1. You will first need to create a sub-directory on your server to contain your VP-ASP files. This directory should be in the root IIS folder.
   a. Name this subdirectory shopping eg: C:/Inetpub/wwwroot/shopping
2. Your VP-ASP software should be contained in a zip file. Unzip this file and place the contents into your newly created directory
3. Now open the shop$config.asp file in your shopping directory to edit it
   Locate approximately line 14 and replace
   const xordernumber=""
   with
   1. If using the free version:
      const xordernumber="STARTER"
   2. If using Value, Plus! or Deluxe replcae **** with your order number:
      const xordernumber="*****"
4. Once this is done type the path to the site into the URL bar of a browser, for example
   http://localhost/shopping
   You should now see the VP-ASP welcome screen, and if you press the link “Enter your VP-ASP Shopping Cart”, you will see the home page of your store.
5. Now if you delete both index.htm and default.htm, the first page you will see each time you enter your stores URL in a browser will be the stores home page.

4.1 Setting up the SQL Server Database

1. Ask your web host to create a database for you and provide you with the server address of the database.
2. You now how to tell VP-ASP where the empty database is located
   a. Open your shop$config.asp file and change the following
   xdatabase = “yourDatabaseName”
   xdatabaseType = “SQLSERVER”
   xsqluser = “userid”
   xsqlpassword = “password”
   xsqlserver = “address of the database”(this could be in the form of a URL
   or a IP address)
3. Now run the script diag_dbtest.asp in your browser to check if the permissions are correct.
   For Example: www.yourstore.com/shopping/diag_dbtest.asp
   
   On this page now press “Test Database”
   
   You should receive an error page displaying either tblusers could not be found or table configuration could not be found. If you receive either of theese errors it means your site can see the database and you can now create the tables using the convertsql.asp utility.
   If you do not see this screen, please check that you have set up the settings in your shop$config.asp file correctly as outlined above, if they are setup correctly and you still don’t see this screen, please contact your web host and ask them to make sure you have read and write permissions set on the database.
   
4. Now you are ready to create the table (VP-ASP offers a tool called convertsql.asp which can be used to create the tables)
5. Run convertsql.asp in your browser
   For Example: www.yourstore.com/shopping/convertsql.asp
6. In the filename field type create600sqlserver.txt
   
   While running this script you will have messages being displayed on the screen, informing you of which tables are being created.
   
   If you get an error that the database cannot be read or written, please check the shop$config.asp file and make sure it has been set up as the instruction say above. If this is correct and you still get the error, please ask your host to make sure that the database has read and write permissions.
7. You will now have to load the default configuration options.
   a. Run script convertsql.asp in your browser again
   b. In the filename field now type create600admin.txt
   
   As above you will see messages being displayed letting you know what is being written.
8. Now to load the demo shop, demo products etc. (this step is optional)
   a. Run script convertsql.asp in your browser again
   b. In the filename field now type create600demo.txt

5.0 VP-ASP – Unix Installation Using MySQL Database

Verify that your host is running Chillisoft (Sun ASP). If not, you will not be able to run VP-ASP on your host.

1. You will first need to create a sub-directory in the root directory on your server.
   The root directory will usually be wwwroot.
   a. Name this subdirectory shopping eg: wwwroot/shopping
2. Now unzip the VP-ASP files into this directory

5.1 Setting up the MySQL Database

1. Ask your web host to create a database for you and provide you with the server address of the database.
2. You now how to tell VP-ASP where the empty database is located
   a. Open your shop$config.asp file and change the following
   xdatabase = “yourDatabaseName”
   xdatabaseType = “MYSQL”
   xsqluser = “userid”
   xsqlpassword = “password”
   xsqlserver = “address of the database”(this could be in the form of a URL
   or a IP address)
3. Now run the script diag_mysqldbtest.asp in your browser to check if the permissions are correct.
   
   For Example: www.yourstore.com/shopping/diag_mysqldbtest.asp
   
   On this page now press “Test Database”
   
   You should get the following screen
   
   
   
   If you do not see this screen, please check that you have set up the settings in your shop$config.asp file correctly as outlined above, if they are setup correctly and you still don’t see this screen, please contact your web host and ask them to make sure you have read and write permissions set on the database.
4. Now you are ready to create the table (VP-ASP offers a tool called mysqlcreate.asp which can be used to create the tables)
5. Run mysqlcreate.asp in your browser
   For Example: www.yourstore.com/shopping/mysqlcreate.asp
6. In the filename field type create600mysql.txt
   
   While running this script you will have messages being displayed on the screen, informing you of which tables are being created.
   
   If you get an error that the database cannot be read or written, please check the shop$config.asp file and make sure it has been set up as the instruction say above. If this is correct and you still get the error, please ask your host to make sure that the database has read and write permissions.
7. You will now have to load the default configuration options.
   a. Run script mysqlcreate.asp in your browser again
   b. In the filename field now type create600admin.txt
   
   As above you will see messages being displayed letting you know what is being written.
8. Now to load the demo shop, demo products etc. (this step is optional)
   a. Run script mysqlcreate.asp in your browser again
   b. In the filename field now type create600demo.txt

6.0 Final Notes

VP-ASP is now installed, and your store should now be up and running.

Please be sure to also read through the Developers Guide, for more handy tips and setup guides for different functionalities of the shopping cart.

Help Guides can be viewed at http://www.vpasp.com/helpnotes

    

Using the Administration

Once you have connected successfully to your database you can start setting up the shop.

You do this by entering the Merchant Administration, once in this area you can do things like add products, categories and shipping methods plus much much more:

    

Securing your Site

Once you have set up your site it is a good idea to secure it so hackers and intruders don't have access to your important information and settings.

VPASP contains some files and settings that are designed to make it easy for you to set up your shopping cart.

Once your have completed the setting up of your site then you need to remove these as soon as possible.

Click here for more information on how to secure your site.

    

This Manual

This online user guide will help you to configure VP-ASP in the following areas: formatting, taxes, shipping, discounts, electronic gateways, searching, security, stock control and many other aspects of setting up your shop.

To get the most out of this resouce we have developed an advanced search form availbale at:

http://www.vpasp.com/helpnotes/shopsearch.asp

You can print off topic groups by using the follliwng refernece:

http://www.vpasp.com/helpnotes/shoptoc.asp

 

    

Setting Up Mail

    

Upgrading to version 6 or higher when using SQL Server

These notes are for people using Version 5.5 or lower and upgrading to Version 6 or higher and using SQL Server.

Some of the fields in the database have changed in Version 6 from earlier versions. As the enhanced functionality of fields with larger sizes has been developed by Microsoft, VP-ASP has taken advantage of this functionality and changed some of the database fields the software uses to store large amounts of data like the extended description field. We have also discovered that text fields not placed at the end of a particular table can cause problems when trying to update products and categories.

For the above reasons, extra steps have to be taken when performing an upgrade to Version 6 or higher when you are using SQL Server.

Firstly you will have to ask your host to create a new blank SQL Server database for you.

You can now use the VP-ASP supplied tool convertsql.asp to set up the tables in your database. To use convertsql.asp, you must first tell VP-ASP where the empty SQL Server database is located by changing these lines in shop$config.asp

Xdatabase=”yourdatabasename”
xdatabasetype="SQLSERVER”
xSqlUser=”youruserid”
xSQlpwd=”yourpassword”
xSQLServer=”www.vpasp.com” or IP Address in form “123.12.123.12

Use convertsql.asp from your browser

www.yourvpaspsite.com/shopping/convertsql.asp

Building SQL Server Tables

Type in the filename
Create600sqlserver.txt

You will see messages being displayed telling you the tables that are being created. If you get an error that the database cannot be read or written, check the shop$config statements above. 

Once you have created the tables in your new SQL Server database using the above script, you will need to contact your host and ask them to migrate your data from your old database to the new one you have just created.

    

MYSQL Installation Document

Introduction
VP-ASP Shopping cart is one of the most comprehensive e-commerce solutions available anywhere and for any price. It allows you to build an Internet shop that can sell 1 product or tens of thousands of products. VP-ASP is ready to use and comes with extensive customer facilities for browsing, searching and ordering products. The back end administration allows the merchant to alter and manipulate products, run reports, bulk mail, track and display orders.

All source code is included. To use VP-ASP, your web site must be running on a Windows server with MYSQL installed.

Please note: the VP-ASP Starter Pac and Starter Extras Pac do not include MySQL support. Only VP-ASP Value, Plus and Deluxe have MySQL support.

Pre-requisites
VP-ASP is written in the Active Server Pages (ASP). ASP is Microsoft's Internet programming language. It can only be run from a browser. There is no EXE or CGI file. ASP files are similar to HTML and can be run only from a browser. You can run VP-ASP on your local Personal Computer or run VP-ASP on your web hosting company.

MYSQL Install on Windows PC

To use MYSQL under Windows you must have installed MYSQL database support for Windows. See www.mysql.com. All other requirements for Windows and ASP must also be met as noted below.

Windows -Running VP-ASP on your own local Personal Computer
First determine what Windows operating system you have. Then determine if you have the appropriate Microsoft prerequisites. If you have Windows 95/98 VP-ASP requires that you have the free Microsoft product called Personal Web Server (PWS).

If you do not have PWS installed, then you must install it. It comes either free on your Windows CDROM or it can be downloaded from the web.

If you have Windows NT/Windows 2000/XP Professional

VP-ASP requires that you have Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS).
This is available on the NT or XP CDROM.

If you have Windows ME/XP Home

Unfortunately Microsoft has not made available any software that can run ASP on these operating systems. To evaluate VP-ASP you will need to use VP-ASP on your web hosting company.

Steps to install VP-ASP on your local PC

1. Create a folder on your hard drive called "shopping". It does not have to be called shopping, that is only a recommendation.
2. Unzip all files into the shopping directory
3. Create the MYSQL database
4. Add the demo data to the MYSQL

Windows - Creating MYSQL database

1. Use the Windows tool WinSqlAdmin to create your database. This will create an empty database. You click on databases and then right click on the computer name. This should bring up a dialog to create a new database.

2. Edit shop$config.asp and change the following values

const xDatabase="mysql550" 'Database name
const xdatabasetype="MYSQL" ' Do not change this
const xSQLUser="myuserid" ' change to user userid
const xSQLPwd="mypassword" 'change to your userid
const xSQLServer="localhost" ' Normally this will be OK

3. After updating shop$config.asp,
start the file mysqlcreate.asp from your browser.
http://www.mysite.com/shopping/mysqlcreate.asp
or http://localhost/shopping

If you have trouble starting VP-ASP or running ASP files see http://www.vpasp.com/virtprog/info/faq_helpme.htm

4. Type the file name create550mysql.txt
It will try to connect to the database, add the VP-ASP tables. If successful it will list the commands being issued and tell you of a successful completion. This only takes a few seconds.

5. Next run mysqlcreate.asp again and type in filename

create550admin.txt

This adds entries to the VP-ASP configuration table

7. To add the demo shop data use the file mysqldemo550.txt

Using the browser command mysqlcreate.asp, type in the name
create550demo.txt

Administration

Two userids are defined:
admin with password admin
vpasp with password vpasp

The first step is to verify the shop works by clicking on the shop. This should bring up the demo categories if the demo store is installed. If you simply want to play with the demo store, it will run immediately and no further configuration is required.

To log into VP-ASP Administration, click on the Merchant Administration hyperlink. After you login go to Shop Configuration. Administration is used to:

- Change the store name and address, e-mail address and more
- Configure options for taxes, shipping, discounts, product layout, and many other options
- Add and update categories and products you have
- To run sales reports
- To update any table
- Turn on or off the hundreds of VP-ASP features using the Shop Configuration

Customizing VP-ASP

VP-ASP "look and feel" are controlled by these files.

shoppage_header.htm will be displayed as your top and or top/left navigation bars and logo.
shoppage_trailer.htm will be displayed as your bottom navigation bars.
shop$colors.asp has much of the HTML generated by VP-ASP
shop.css is the style sheet used

VP-ASP allows you to use standard hyperlinks directly from any static HTML pages you have created. This hyperlinks allow you to add to cart, search, login, display a specific product, display categories of products and much more.

Licensing and Order Number

VP-ASP is licensed to one shop in one domain. See license.txt for more details. This license supercedes any previous license arrangements. By installing VP-ASP, you agree to abide by these license terms.

A license key is required to use VP-ASP. This license key can be obtained by going to www.vpasp.com/license.asp . You will need your VP-ASP order number, domain name and the e-mail address on the original order. If you have obtained VP-ASP through a reseller ask them for your license key.

When you purchased VP-ASP you will have received an order number. This is required to be placed into the file shop$config.asp. Edit shop$config.asp with a plain text editor such as notepad and change this line.

const xordernumber="0" the zero will change to your order number.

    

Set up Database

VPASP supports 3 types of database, Access, SQLServer and MySQL.

---

MS Access Setup

VPASP comes with a MS Access database and is configured to use this database as default.  It is recommended that you move the database (shopping600.mdb) from the root VPASP directory and place it into a different directory.
This directory needs to have write permissions enabled so that the database can be updated.
You also need to modify your shop$config.asp file to point to the new database location.

---

SQL Server Setup

SQL Server is a complex Microsoft software product.  From the VP-ASP point of view it is very simple to use.  The steps in using SQL Server are:

1. Create the SQL Server database. This can be done using SQL Server's Query analyzer or it may have been created for you by your web hosting company

2. Add the VP-ASP Tables

3. Load the configuration table with default values

4. Optionally add the demo shop values

Web Hosting company has created the database
If your web hosting company has already created the database and you DO NOT have the ability to use Query Analyzer, then VP-ASP supplies a tool called convertsql.asp. This tool can be used to build the VP-ASP tables but  cannot create the database.

It can build the tables and load the default configuration. It can also load the demo shop if required.

To use convertsql.asp, you must first tell VP-ASP where the empty SQL Server database is located by changing these lines in shop$config.asp

Xdatabase=”yourdatabasename”
xdatabasetype="SQLSERVER”
xSqlUser=”youruserid”
xSQlpwd=”yourpassword”
xSQLServer=”www.yoursite.com” or IP Address in form “111.22.333.90”

Use convertsql.asp from your browser

www.yoursite.com/shopping/convertsql.asp

Building SQL Server Tables

Type in the filename
Create500sqlserver.txt

You will see messages being displayed telling you the tables that are being created. If you get an error that the database cannot be read or written, check the shop$config statements above. 

Loading the Configuration File
The next step is to load the default configuration options.  Now start convertsql.asp by typing the location where you installed VP-ASP  www.yoursite.com/shopping/convertsql.asp

Type in file name below. This loads the initial configuration and language file

Create500admin.txt

Loading Demo Shop
This step is only necessary if you want to “play” with VP-ASP demo shop. Otherwise it is not necessary. Use convertsql.asp and type in the filename create500demo.txt. This loads the database with the demo shop.

The SQL Server database is loaded and ready. You should now be able to click shop on the home page and see the product categories.

Creating the SQL Server – Query Analyzer 

If you have expertise with SQL Server, you can use the SQL Server tool called Query Analyzer to create the database.  The database needs to be created using SQL Server Query Analyzer or your web hosting company sometimes creates the database for you. Query Analyzer comes as part of the Microsoft SQL Server Product and is not supplied by VP-ASP. 
Please note YOU CANNOT USE THE UPSIZING WIZARD TO BUILD VP-ASP TABLES

1 Query Analyzer Creation
Simply start Query Analyzer. Open the file create500sqlserver.sql and run the script. It should take about ten seconds.  The database and the tables are now created. 

Updating Shop$config.asp
The shop$config.asp settings should be as follows: 

Xdatabase=yourdatabasename
xdatabasetype="SQLSERVER”
xSqlUser=”youruserid”
xSQlpwd=”yourpassword”
xSQLServer=”www.yoursite.com” or IP Address in form “124.77.090.90”

---

MySQL Setup

 

MYSQL Install on Unix

1. Create a directory under your current web site called shopping. 
   It does not have to be called shopping, that is only a recommendation.
2. Unzip all files into the shopping directory
3. Create the MYSQL database  
4. Add the demo data to the MYSQL  (see Adding Demo Data below)
5. Update shop$config.asp to tell VP-ASP where your database is located

Unix - Creating MYSQL database via command level

1. The actual database can be called anything you want. 
   In our file it is called mysql550.
   
   Edit the file mysqlcreate550.txt and change the database name on these lines
   
   drop database if exists mysql550;
   create database if not exists mysql550;
   use mysql550;
   
   Then type at the command level:
   
   mysql < create550mysql.txt
   
   The database and tables are now created. This only takes a few seconds.
   
   Now load the Shop Configuration defaults
   mysql < create550admin.txt
   
2. To load the demo shop files
   mysql < create550demo.txt
   
3. Updating shop$config.asp
   If you have not already done so above, you need to edit file 
   shop$config.asp.
   
   Edit shop$config.asp and change the following values
   
   const xDatabase="mydatabasename" 'Database name
   const xdatabasetype="MYSQL" ' Do not change this 
   const xSQLUser="myuserid" ' MYSQL Server user
   const xSQLPwd="mypassword" ' MYSQL Server password
   const xSQLServer="127.0.0.1" ' MYSQL Server name or IP address
   
4. Start your browser and point to the shopping directory and you should now see the default VP-ASP home page 
   
5. Click on the shop button and you should see the demo shop  categories.

MYSQL Install on Windows PC

To use MYSQL under Windows you must have installed MYSQL database support for Windows. See www.mysql.com. All other requirements for Windows and ASP must also be met as noted below.

Windows -Running VP-ASP on your own local Personal Computer
First determine what Windows operating system you have.  Then determine if you have the appropriate Microsoft prerequisites.  If you have Windows 95/98 VP-ASP requires that you have the free Microsoft product called Personal Web Server (PWS). 

If you do not have PWS installed, then you must install it. It comes either free on your Windows CDROM or it can be downloaded from the web. Please see http://www.vpasp.com/virtprog/info/faq_pws.htm

If you have Windows NT/Windows 2000/XP Professional 

VP-ASP requires that you have  Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS). 
This is available on the NT or XP CDROM. 

If you have Windows ME/XP Home

Unfortunately Microsoft has not made available any software  that can run ASP on these operating systems.  To evaluate VP-ASP you will need to use VP-ASP on your  web hosting company.

Steps to install VP-ASP on your local PC

1. Create a folder on your hard drive called "shopping". It does not have to be called shopping, that is only a recommendation.
2. Unzip all files into the shopping directory
3. Create the MYSQL database 
4. Add the demo data to the MYSQL

Windows - Creating MYSQL database 

1. Use the Windows tool WinSqlAdmin to create your database. This will create an empty database. You click on databases and then right click on the computer name. This should bring up a dialog to create a new database.
   
2. Edit shop$config.asp and change the following values
   
   const xDatabase="mysql550"           'Database name
   const xdatabasetype="MYSQL"        ' Do not change this 
   const xSQLUser="myuserid"             ' change to user userid
   const xSQLPwd="mypassword"        'change to your userid
3. const xSQLServer="localhost"         ' Normally this will be OK
   
4. After updating shop$config.asp,
   start the file mysqlcreate.asp  from your browser. 
   http://www.mysite.com/shopping/mysqlcreate.asp
   or http://localhost/shopping
   
   If you have trouble starting VP-ASP or running ASP files see http://www.vpasp.com/virtprog/info/faq_helpme.htm
   
5. Type the file name create550mysql.txt 
   It will try to connect to the database, add the VP-ASP tables. If successful it will list the commands being issued and tell you of a successful completion. This only takes a few seconds.
   
6. Next run mysqlcreate.asp again and type in filename
   
   create550admin.txt
   
   This adds entries to the VP-ASP configuration table 
7. To add the demo shop data use the file mysqldemo550.txt
   
   Using the browser command mysqlcreate.asp, type in the name 
   create550demo.txt

---

Diagnostic Tools

Our diag_dbtest diagnostic tool or shopdbtest for releases prior to 5.0, tests if the directory has been set-up correctly to read and write the database. 

1. First run the diagnostic tool diag_dbtest.asp
   If this fails then the permissions for Windows NT/2000/XP IUSR are not correct OR you have the wrong settings in shop$config.asp (see below)
   
2. In addition, after an error occurs, you can type diag_sessionlist.asp. We store the exact open failure message in a session variable called "OpenError". This may give you a hint on why the database cannot be opened. Many of the Microsoft error messages are listed here.
   
   Database configuration is particular to each Server. Depending on whether you are hosting with an ISP or (locally) on your own PC/network you should pass the above information to your hosting company (ISP) or System Administrator. Direct them to this URL
   http://www.vpasp.com/virtprog/info/faq_setup.htm 

OR

The problem may simply be a configuration setting in VP-ASP which is described below. 

 

    

Using the VP-ASP Shopping Cart

If you take most of our defaults, use our default home page, then VP-ASP can have your shop up and running in hours. If you choose to modify VP-ASP to match your exact requirements this can be done using our supplied configuration options. The following is a summary of configuration facilities VP-ASP offers.

Shoppage_header.htm	This is a plain HTML file. It is used so that you can totally replace it. It can be edited with your favorite editor such as Frontpage or Dreamweaver. It controls, top and left navigation values
Shoppage_trailer.htm	This is a plain HTML file. It is designed to be totally replaced. It can be edited with your favorite editor. It controls bottom and right navigation
Shop$colors.asp	This is a file you can edit with a plain text editor. It has most of the HTML that VP-ASP uses. Here you can change the colors, fonts and table definitions.
Shop$config.asp	This file tells VP-ASP where your database resides and what type of database it is. Normally you will only change this once when you install VP-ASP for the first time.
Shop Configuration	This is not a file. It a browser based facility that you change using the VP-ASP Administration facility. There are over 400 different options you can select. It controls things such as how products are sorted, what payment options you wish to accept.
Templates	Templates are plain HTML files that allow you to control product and category formatting. If you do not have the VP-ASP Option package there are only a few templates. With the Option Package many are supplied.
Shop.css	The shop.css file located in the Stylesheet folder controls much of the formatting of text and link displays. By making changes to this file and even adding your own new classes and styles you can completely alter the look of the default package.

By changing values in those files or Shop Configuration you can make your shop look and feel just about any way you choose. If you have a simple shop, then VP-ASP can be configured and set-up in minutes.

    

Setting Up your Internet Store

An Internet store can be set-up and running extremely quickly. The following lists the basic steps necessary.

• Primary installation steps

• Install the VP-ASP software.
This normally means copying it from your local PC to your web hosting company.

• Configuring your company details.
This involves using your Internet browser to update your company name, address e-mail details

• Adding your product categories.

• Adding your products.

• Checking the security of your site.

• Learn how to display and process orders.

• Optional Installation steps

The following steps will vary between stores. In some stores these may be important and must be done and in others they are not necessary.

1. Select payment types
2. Configure SSL
3. Configure taxes
4. Configure shipping
5. Obtain electronic gateway interface
6. Configure discounts
7. Use many of the hundreds of other VP-ASP facilities
8. Make sure your site is secure from hackers

    

Installing Files

When you purchase VPASP you will be given a .ZIP file containing all of the VPASP files.

On your local computer you need to unzip these files by using WinZip or any other compatible de-compression software.

Upload the unzipped files to the shopping directory on your server.
You may need to use FTP to do this.

Once your files are on your server then you are ready to use VPASP. Open the shopping directory in a browser and you can immediately use VPASP.


Troubleshooting

If you have issues unzipping the package it may be that windows has placed a block on the zip file.

If you see an error such as "windows has blocked the file..... from being extracted" you need to go into the properties of the zipped folder (by right mouse clicking on the file) and click on "unblock" typically found on the bottom right of the window.

This should then allow you to unzip the entire package.