upgrade help
 

I know there instructions but I don't really get them to upgrade do I just download the latest version and upload all the files ?

Back up first.

Download new files

Over write old files

Run /install/upgrade.php

so I overwrite all the old files, and So basically I just download vb 3.8 then upload it and run install/upgrade.php ?

Thats basically it, be sure to back everything up just incase

Is there just a way of uploading the CORE files?

ie keep the current images/settings/template edits in place, but just upload certain files needed for the upgrade?

Upgrading vBulletin
That's what happens in a normal upgrade. Images, settings and templates that have been modified are not touched.

Super. So its just the 3.7 mods that may or may not work for 3.8 is the issue

You will also need to perform the necessary mandatory template edits.

Is it possible to do a COMPLETE backup?

ie templates, database, php files etc etc

Download a DB backup, and backup the files. That's a complete backup.

where in admincp do i backup the files?

Just log into your server via FTP and download all the files off it.

what about the templates in admincp?

they are stored in the database, so backupping your database also includes the backup of languages/phrases/templates/style informations etc. :)

I was thinking of just backing everything up then re-uploading them after the upgrade, but it seems to me like i might have to add new mods with the 3.8 version & edit the templates again

Templates you have edited will stay edited after the upgrade. However, you will have to apply the mandatory changes to them, otherwise you will lose functionality.

Im not sure what you mean

Ok you have templates you've modified from modifications or whatever. Those will not change during the upgrade.

vBulletin 3.8 has template changes. If you have modified lets say "SHOWTHREAD" for 3.7.4 and vBulletin 3.8 made changes to "SHOWTHREAD" you will have to make those changes yourself.

On the flip side, if you didn't modify the template, and it has changes for vBulletin 3.8 it will automatically be upgraded.

so basically i have to rack my brains to find out what templates ive manually edited, then re-edit them after the upgrade?

The vBulletin Admin CP will let you know which templates are outdated when logging in. Your edits are not affected. You just need to make the changes that vBulletin requires.

then its just a case of searching for the updated edits, adding then, then hey presto?

Pretty much

thanks for the help. Looks like a long job, but i know what i need to do now

After the upgrade the templates that need an update are list in the AdminCP. No need to search for them yourself.

Se also the manual: Checking for Updated Templates