Reinstalling / designing forum with new files, old database.
 

I want to streamline my forums more with a new template, new mods, and new vb installation.

My live board has 400 some members and 20,000 posts so obviously I cannot just delete and start a new install. I was hoping to install a test forum in a new directory. Copy and sync the database using Navicat and do all my edits, mods, template changes, etc...

Then, after I get the new board ready, sync databases and move the new install into the old install directory and sync databases.

Is this possible?

I've just set up a test board on my home laptop.

It's pretty easy.

1. Get and install wamp : http://www.wampserver.com/en/
2.Install vb locally
3. make a backup of your online site's db
4. edit config.php to the name of your newly restored db

Start her up!

Instead of step 2 you could just download all your site files and it should work too.