Upgrading my site from 3.0 to 3.5

[robert_2004]

Hey guys,

i'm just been wondering how the best way to go about upgrading my forum is, and couldn't find a good answer around for this.

i'm running 3.0.9 currently on my live server. i have a good 80 - 120 installed mods and hacks, and done a lot of hacking to the site myself.

i'm thinking my steps will go somehting like this:
Please give me some advice on what you think.

- install 3.5 clean on test bench.
- download SQL from live server, import to test bench, run upgrade script.
- install CMPS, Gallery, and Geek Articles System.
- install all new mods and hacks for 3.5, including plugins and products, to quickly test them before hand.
- turn off forum on live server.
- backup SQL on live server
- rename forum, gallery, folders to forum_3.0
- upload 3.5 forum's files
- run update script on current live server's 3.0 SQL
- export test bench's SQL tables: settings, templates, phrases, etc...
- export table data from both dbs (live server and test bench) and compare table structures
- find all differences in table structures, and manually fix.

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What do you think?

Is there a better way to do the forum database, seeing that i'm testing on my computer for a week, and there will be new members, posts, PM, etc on the live server.

[robert_2004]

*bump* a little help would be great :)

[robert_2004]

vb 3.5.x sucks.

BEFORE, i could run a test server and the live SERVER, and check out mods on my localhost/test server before i uploaded them, or tweaked the mods to get them just right.

NOW, i can't do this, as the bloody mods want to put so much code in the DB, i feel if i adjust the settings on my test server, i have to remember / go through them all again on the live one once i decide to put the mod on the live server.

How does everyone else deal with this? do you upload the mod to the test, make sure it works, and then download it, and upload it on teh live server?
- does it get all the settings correct? (i.e. are the settings all kept intact)
- what if you adjust the templates?
- what if you adjust teh php code kept in the plugin?

[stinger2]

if you instaalled a local server in your pc and if you import the DB to your local host and used a copy of your files in it ..you will get an exact copy of your forum so there are no adjustments needed

that means you need both the files inside www and the DB

1.after importing the DB ...you should run install.php from 3.0.9......so that you get the same forum you have on the live server

2.revert all templates and .........uninstall all your hacks
3. copy paste the files from 3.5.4 to your local host
4. run upgrade.php from 3.5.4
5.install the hacks again for the version 3.5.4

when you feel every thing is ok

first backup your live DB and files

from here there are 2 options
1.repeat same steps on live..which will take some time
or
2.upload the DB and files from local host to your server....import the new DB and run install
i think these are the best options as most of the hacks had changed alot between these two versions of vb