Installing PrestaShop On Localhost

Navigate to the folder \public_html created in your local machine.

If the folder \public_html does not exist please create it.

Create a folder under public_html to hold the files and folders required by PrestaShop.
For eg: \public_html\laptopprestashop

Copy the downloaded prestashop_1.4.5.1.zip file to:
\public_html\laptopprestashop

Unzip the prestashop_1.4.5.1.zip file within:
\public_html\laptopprestashop

The unzip process creates a folder named \prestashop within \public_html\laptopprestashop
i.e. \public_html\laptopprestashop \prestashop

Select all the files and folders within \public_html\ laptopprestashop \prestashop [ ctrl a ]
Cut the selected files and folders [ ctrl x ]
Navigate one level up to \public_html\laptopprestashop
Paste the cut files and folders there [ ctrl v ]

You are now ready to begin the installation of PrestaShop.

Create a virtual domain under Apache:
www. laptopprestashop.com

NOTE: Please refer to tutorial http://www.opensourcevarsity.com/apachebasics/l4creatingvirtualdomain , to learn how to create virtual domain.

Add an appropriate entry in the hosts file:
127.0.0.1 www.laptopprestashop.com

Open your Browser and in its Address Bar enter:
http://www.laptopprestashop.com/install

Hit GO.

The installation process will begin. Just follow the online prompts.

The PrestaShop startup screen will be displayed in the Browser as shown in Diagram 1a and Diagram 1b.

In Choose your preferred language for installation choose the English radio button to do the install in English as shown in Diagram 1a.

Diagram 1a

In What do you want to do? Choose the option : I want to install a new online shop with Prestashop radio button.

Next select the : I agree with the above terms and conditions check box to select it.

The Next button turns Green ( from Grey ) indicating its active.

Finally, click Next as shown in Diagram 1b.

Diagram 1b

The PrestaShop installation setup checks for System Compatibility as shown in Diagram 2a and Diagram 2b. Scroll down till the end of the page.

Diagram 2a

Click Next to continue with the installation setup as shown in Diagram 2b.

Diagram 2b

Next the MySQL database configuration screen appears as shown in Diagram 3a and Diagram 3b.

Fill in the Database information required. Once done, please click the Verify my database settings button as shown in Diagram 3a.

Diagram 3a

If all the entries are correct the Database is connected message will be displayed as shown in Diagram 3b.

Next under Installation Type select the Full mode includes core modules. 100+ additional modules and demo products (FREE) radio button.

NOTE: Under E-mail configuration, select the checkbox to configure SMTP manually.
If you are installing this setup on your local computer that does not have a Mail Service running, then please remain the checkbox unchecked.

We left this checkbox unchecked. Next fill in a proper Email ID and click Next as shown in Diagram 3b.

Diagram 3b

The Browser screen goes grey. There are a pair of rotating white arrows in the center of the screen indicating that a PrestaShop installation process is in progress.

Next the Shop Configuration screen is displayed in the Browser as shown in Diagram 4a and Diagram 4b.

Fill in all the information that is required.

Finally click Next as shown in Diagram 4b.

Diagram 4a

Diagram 4b

The Browser screen goes grey.

There are a pair of rotating white arrows in the center of the screen indicating that a PrestaShop configuration process is in progress. Do wait a few minutes, the speed of the PrestaShop install depends upon several different factors and on slow computer with limited RAM may take a few minutes.

After a few minutes of processing the Installation is complete! screen is displayed in the Browser as shown in Diagram 5.

Diagram 5

The installation of PrestaShop is complete and it’s ready for testing.

NOTE: Read the warning displayed in the top one third of the screen. You must delete the Install directory for security reasons.

Please delete the install folder for security reasons.
Rename the admin folder. In our case, we have changed admin folder to admin1234.

And then access this page by the new url http://www.laptopprestashop.com/admin1234

Enter the URL http://www.laptopprestashop.com in the Browser and the websites index page will be displayed.

To access the PrestaShop, Admin Dashboard, enter the URL http://www.laptopprestashop.com/admin1234 and the website’s Admin dashboard will be displayed in the Browser window.

When the Admin Dashboard URL is used, a Login screen is displayed with requires the following information:
The Email ID entered at the time of installation: < your_email_id >.
The password: XXXXX
Finally click the Log in button and the Admin Dashboard will be displayed in the Browser window, as shown in Diagrams 6.

Diagram 6