Upgrading
 

I would like to upgrade my board, but I've never done this before (I paid to have it done last time). I'm wondering if anyone has written an idiot-friendly instruction manual on how to do this and port the hacks? If not, I'm going to have to find someone to do it for me.

Thanks!

Simple as this.

Pre-Checks
- Check to see if mods are compatible with the new version you plan to upgrade to
- Make a back up of your database and templates just in case things go wrong (which rarely do)

Upgrading
- Download the new version of vb
- Delete the install.php file in the install folder
- Go into the includes folder and rename config.php.new to config.php, then open it in a text editor such as Wordpad or Notepad+ and enter in the exact MySQL or MSSQL details you had on your current version (if you don't know it offhand, go into your includes folder on the server and download the config.php and get it there)
- Save the changes
- Turn off your forum (put a nice message such as we are upgrading yada yada yada)
- Upload all files from the Upload folder into your forum root folder (basically replacing it all).. you don't necessary have to re upload the images since I assume you will be using the same theme
- When you are done, go to http://www.yoururl.com/whereveryoufo...ll/upgrade.php
- Enter in your license info
- Press next to all the steps
- End....Have fun

Also, when you are done, just revert your themes...if you have a custom navbar and header however, you should just click edit and save so the revert wouldn't mess up that particular portion. all others are fine to revert. :)

Some additions.

Thanks! That is MUCH easier than I originally anticipated.

My only question is, how do I check to see if the mods are compatible with the new version? Just if there are new versions?

I suggest you test this first on a test install.

Also, check out this very helpful write up from RazaSharp:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1469351