License holder no longer around, update needed
 

Hi, I just wanted to confirm that we are out of luck?
Currently on vBulletin 4.2.0 and wanting to update to 4.2.5.
But the person with the vBulletin site password/license passed away some years ago and we no longer have access to that license information.

1) So we are out of luck, there is no way to download the 4.2.5 update, is that correct?

2) If so, we will be forced to purchase a vBulletin 5 license as 4 is no longer available?

3) And if that happens, how good are our chances of a rookie admin updating our site from 4.2.0 to 5.x without losing any data/members/threads/pics/etc?

Thanks,
-Eddie

When you purchase the new vB5 license, you will then also have access to download previous versions all the way back to 3.8, at my last check.

So you can get the very latest version of vB4 and use it. You will not need to even download vB5 at all.

Stay away from vB5 at all costs.Why?

I would only add, upgrading to any new vB version can be very hard, depending on how customized installation is. It can be a task to admire even for more seasoned admins, let alone rookie ones.

But, you can try to contact support and explain situation, provide evidences you have and they might give you access, you never know.

And, before you try to do upgrade, do it on test site, to see what's going on, never try to do update on live site before test run.

I was going to say we got hacked recently and were told the update would have prevented the hack.
And I read somewhere the update also includes a more mobile friendly webpage.

Then I looked down at the bottom of THIS forum and see this:

LMAO I guess updates may not be as critical as I thought? :D

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Thank you for the advice.

That's good to hear.
And sounds logical. Thanks!

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I guess my other responses are pending admin approval.

Which brings back my question of why.

Why the need to "upgrade" if everything is working well?

The best reason is there has been a multitude of security fixes. Not installing the latest version leaves them open to known security problems.

That and PHP 5.6 is being deprecated so vBulletin 4.x users need the latest version because it is the only one that is compatible with PHP 7.1.

VB 4.2.0 probably isn't even running under PHP 5.6.0. It's official max version was PHP 5.3.x. Even under PHP 5.4.x there would have been problems with VB 4.2.0. I'm amazed such a site is still working.

Mine runs like a champ, v4.2.0 patch level 2. Never a problem.

Of course, my host hasn't upgraded php ever, either. Not in the 11 years I've had the service.

I also have a v3.8.7 working like a well-oiled machine, never any problems there.

I've read all the material regarding the security patches, never saw one that looked at all likely as a threat. So, never upgraded.