removing all mods and hacks?
 

Hi folks

Is there a way to be able to strip all hacks and mods from the database?

I would just like to be able to keep all the default VB tables and content

The reason i ask is cause i would like to upgrade to VB4 sometime soon, i have tried
to remove some hacks/mods but i get left with DB errors, so i am looking for a more
simple solution please?

Have you tried asking the respective mod/hack owner for help removing all traces of their product?

Alternatively, you may create a new database, install whatever version of vB it is you're running and then export the default tables from the existing db to import them later to the new database. Once you have the new database ready, edit the config.php file so that it can communicate with this new db.
Upgrade when ready.

Don't forget to backup your files, in case something goes wrong.

Hi Xtrigit thanks for the reply, sadly theres a quite a few hacks/mods that no longer
have any owners, i.e. theyve gone the way of the Dodo

Is there a script or something to be able to just import all default tables or do i have
to go through the list and select all default.

When you export only default does it do just that, what i mean is, for example, the
users table has loads of additions to it from many hacks, does it also drop those additions
as well?

Sorry for the dumbo questions, but i used to be one of those new VB forumers that installed
just about every hack available that sounded interesting, with hind sight that was a silly
thing to do and now i would like to start afresh with VB4 and try no to make the
same mistake again :o

Bashy, impex @ vb.com in the members download section.

Like this..

1. Install new 4.0 (set aside), password protect. Name the folder something like "newboardonhold".

2. Make a COMPLETE back up of your site. I took 4 full back ups because I have large DB tables.

3. Now that you've backed up your site, UPGRADE it to 4.x. Then you will have compatible tables but all the old garbage from mods not uninstalling properly will still be there. So now you need Impex.

4. IMPEX your UPGRADED 3.x the new 4.x install from step 1 that I told you to set aside. Your basically importing a 4.x upgrade to a new fresh 4.x.

5. Once all is well and your confident the board upgraded correctly (im am referring to the board installed in step 1) and that there are no errors with the impex transfer, delete the original version that you upgraded in step 3 KEEP the new install. Now all thats left to do is log into the admin panel on the new board and change the URL to the old boards URL, then change the file name (on the server) to the location of your old board.

6. Pray that everything went well and you dont find a problem later on.


*disclaimer* I would recommend NOT deleting the old board if you want to port custom styles that you have. I would rename its url and folder and use it as your test board. Password protected, of course.

Another thing, I wouldnt install any sample data on the new 4.0 install from step 1.

--------------- Added [DATE]1300032030[/DATE] at [TIME]1300032030[/TIME] ---------------

Another thing... You'll want to copy your smilies folder and icons, avatars or anything else you've added that impex will transfer. If you have things stored in the file system, you'll want to copy those folders over to your new install folders too.

Hi UncoderMom, sorry for not getting back to you sooner...
Thanks for the reply and advice, I will give that a go... :)

Go through the install instructions for each mod and do them backwards. There is also a mod by Calorie that will look at your database and compare it to a default database and tell you what fields/tables are different.

If you use Impex, all your userids and postids and threadids will get changed. It is also not a supported method of upgrading.

Hi Lynne

Many of the mods are no longer available as the coder has removed them, i have a lot installed from 3.5...

What is the downside to having the thread id and user id changed please?

D you not keep copies of all the mods you install? If not, I *strongly* urge you to do so for this reason among others.

I don't care about userids and threadids and such, but those that care about seo do.