Upgrade Hacked v2 > v3 Board

[Intex]

I currently have a pretty old version of vB (2.2.5). As version 3 has been out for some time and has quite a lot of the hacks I used on 2.2.x, I think now is an appropriate time to upgrade.

What I'm not sure about is the method of approach, particularly as I have many hacks already installed (around 50). If I upgrade from 2.2.5 (after upgrading to 2.2.9 I've heard), I assume that next to none of the existing hacks will work any more. This is exactly as I would expect with the new code adopted by v3. However do I just run the upgrade process and then re-install the new hacks for v3? What about all the older code in files / templates? Of course I'm assuming that the majority of the files are replaced but what about the templates / styles etc? Even if this all goes smoothly, does this just leave a lot of other redundant code from previous hacks lying around?

My other thought, was is it possible just to install a fresh copy of vB3, install all the new hacks specifically coded for that version and then import all my users / posts etc. I've not seen anything that will aid in this process.

I certainly won't be the first person to have gone through this process, so any feedback about how you've gone about your upgrade would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[K33nny]

vb2 hacks for the most part don't work with vb3 right away, you would have to port them yourself, which means you need to understand the concept they coded vb3 in.

[Xenon]

Actually every file has deeply changed, and templatesystem has been completely rewritten, so all template modifications of your vb2 will be useless, and won't affect the vb3 style.

As for the files, just upload them, run the upgrade scripts and finish :)

[Intex]

Xenon - thx. for the reply. I fully expect that none of the VB2 hacks will work, however like I was saying in my original thread, how does this leave the existing files, templates and styles. I'm referring to a general clean-up process really.

[Xenon]

when you upgrade to vb3, you ahve to overwrite the files.

as long as you did not make any big DB changes, there shouldn'T be a problem.

As for the templates, you will still be able to access the old templates, BUT the new ones will build the vb3 style, so there won't be a problem as well.

[Intex]

OK that gives me better piece of mind. The only major database changes that occurred were when I installed Photopost and the Chatbot. These added quite a lot of tables / entries. I guess the other hacks would have added stuff to existing tables too.

My main issue was one of a tidy-up process. The files that remained in the directories that relate to vB2.x only. In fact I just note that none of the directories that are in the vB3 zip are the same as 2.x (admin is now admincp etc.). I assume that anything that isn't part of the UPLOAD directory in vB3 can be removed? Will the database be okay in this instance?

Finally, just wondered whether there was a process for just importing all your members / threads. This would be a much cleaner process all round then.

[Xenon]

yeah, just delete you complete forums files, and then reupload the vb3 pendants :)

as for you final question: nope, not that i know of, but iirc there was a hack which did that..
not sure though..

[Intex]

Many thanks :).

[Xenon]

you're welcome