Modding a Very Old Version of eCart

Hi,

I currently have a client that's using a very old version of eCart and is unwilling to upgrade to a proper database-based shopping cart, so I am stuck with figuring out how to modify the code to fit within their design constraints.

I'm a graphics -- print production -- person who has moved into the web space, so my knowledge of code -- specifically javascript -- is mediocre, at best.

Here are my questions:
1. how do I find out what version of eCart we are using?
- This is not a Dreamweaver plugin or GUI-attached version of the software, like your current product offerings that incorporate MySQL and PHP. It's all javascript that's modified one file at a time that uses browser cookies to store order information. As far as I can see it's been used as early as late 2007 or early 2008.

2. What are the limitations of the cookie-based javascript version of this software that might hinder or invalidate attempts to use eCart? Specifically, is there a limit to the number of items that can be added to the cart with a single form action?

Using PHP I've been able to alter the code to the extent that products from a MySQL database will populate the javascript fields, but I have run up against a limit of 24 items that can be recognized by the cookie. Specifically, I am using a PHP loop to display items from the database and then loop the eCart JS code so that there are 32 _quantity_ input fields on a single page (representing 32 different colors) with a single "add to cart" JS function.

It works splendidly unless I want any of the items beyond the first 24, which do not show up at all, even if they are the only items selected.

If you need files to explain I can provide them, and I'd greatly appreciate ay help you can offer.

Thanks in advance.