This article discusses solutions to potential installation issues with VirtueMart 1.1.3 stable release. Since Joomla! 1.5.9 release people have experienced difficulties installing the component package (com_virtuemart_1.1.3.j15.zip). The issues can be overcome with a few additional steps. Before getting started there are three things to understand.

First, there is nothing wrong with the VirtueMart component package although the Joomla installer error message, “Unable to find install package”, leads one the believe there is an error in the component XML install file. It would be helpful if the Joomla installer gave more specific error message, but it doesn't – so we must work with what we have.

Secondly, you should take the time to carefully read the VirtueMart_1.1_Installation document distributed with the package download before going through an install. Check out the FAQ's in section 2.6. This article assumes the “Automatic Installation” option is being used (section 2.4 of VirtueMart_1.1_Installation document) as this appears to be where most problems arise.

The last point, perhaps the most important, is to take some time to understand your install environment. It is one thing to install on localhost where you control the complete environment vs. installing on a shared host where environment tuning is limited or restricted. If you are looking for a hosting service make sure they support Joomla! and check online reviews before signing up. If you already have a hosting service be open to the idea of switching if you can not easily work with the environment (never mind performance or support for the moment). Some features to look for; ability to use htaccess, php settings that affect Joomla/VirtueMart, and the ability to use php overrides.

Getting VirtueMart Component Installed

Ok, let's say you have downloaded the complete package, unzipped it to a local drive and are now trying to install the VirtueMart component package (com_virtuemart_1.1.3.j15.zip). Instead of the nice welcome to VirtueMart screen you get the cryptic message from JInstaller:

The clue to what's wrong is in the first line, “There was an error uploading this file to the server”, which means the file was found, it is the correct archive type, but the upload failed. Disregard the second message

Other installer errors include “wrong archive type”, which means you tried to upload a file that is not a compressed file. Here is the error message:

And “XML setup file not in package”, which means there is an error in the component XML file. Here is the error message:

Notice that no matter what the error is the second message is the same and misleading since we know the package is there.

To fix the “uploading file” error try the following:

1.Check the php.ini settings for upload_max_filesize in your environment. Can be viewed by logging in Joomla administrator and clicking Help -> System Info menu then clicking php information tab. If upload_max_filesize is 2MB (the default) the VirtueMart component (or any other component over 2MB) can not be uploaded via Joomla Upload Package File installation option.

2.Check the php.ini setting for allow_url_fopen in your environment. If allow_url_fopen is set to “on” then follow steps for Option A. If it is set to “off” the Upload from URL can not be used – go to Option B.

Note: Remote Installer will work when you have the upload_max_filesize issues or allow_url_fopen set to off. In most cases it is probably best to use Remote Installer. Upload from Directory option also does not work if upload_max_filesize is smaller than component package.

Option A – Upload From URL

1.Use FTP to copy com_virtuemart_1.1.3.j15.zip to the tmp directory of your Joomla install. Should be something like http://hostingservice/yoursitename/tmp.

2.In the Joomla Extension Manager use the third option, Install From URL, to load the package by entering the path to the component file in the tmp directory.

3.Continue installing VirtueMart database and modules per installation guide.

Option B – Change php.ini

1.If you have access to php.ini for the server change the upload_max_filesize value to handle component size (say 10MB).

2.Use Joomla Extension Manager first option, Upload Package File, to load the component.

3.Continue installing VirtueMart database and modules per installation guide.

4.Reset php.ini upload_max_filesize to 2MB default value if desired.

Option C – Override php.ini with htaccess

1.Check if your hosting service allows overriding of php.ini values via an htaccess directive. This is a setting in httpd file called AllowOverride, if it is set to “none” overriding is not allowed. If overriding is not allowed go to Option D.

2.Read Apache's brief tutorial on htaccess to get an understanding of what you are about to do - http://httpd.apache.org/docs/1.3/howto/htaccess.html . There are performance considerations with htaccess, however you will likely be using htaccess for Joomla search engine optimization.

3.Create an htaccess file by opening the default file called htaccess.txt found in your site root directory. Add the following line to the end of the file:

php_value upload_max_filesize 10M

Save the file in the root directory as .htaccess without the .txt extension.

4.In Joomla Administrator check the System Info menu under PHP Information tab to verify the override has taken effect. You should now see different values for upload_max_filesize; 10 M for Local and 2M for Master (assuming default value).

5.Use Joomla Extension Manager first option, Upload Package File, to load the component.

6.Continue installing VirtueMart database and modules per installation guide.

7.If you are not using htaccess for anything other than this component load remove the .htaccess file once VirtueMart is installed completely. Save it locally outside web server directories in case you need it again.

Option D – Manual Installation

1.Follow the manual installation instructions found in section 2.5 of the Virtuemart Installation Guide.

Note: This method can be prone to errors if you do not have a good ftp connection. Check ftp error log for failed transfers and be mindful of corrupted files that display code unexpectedly.

References:

VirtueMart downloads - install packages that contain installation guide

VirtueMart forum - discussion forum for VirtueMart application

The content of this article was compiled from various forum posts, php web articles and a lot of trial and error. Thanks to all contributors!

Feedback - Errors - Ommissions please let me know.