The Arcive of Official vBulletin Modifications Site.

bada_bing · #1 12-11-2008, 01:35 PM

Hey Everyone...

I currently run a pretty successful vb site running an older version of vb (3.5.x) and i want to upgrade to the latest and greatest. Im thinking I should just install vb 3.8.x from scratch and then import the database but all my vb portal and vbbulliten settings will be lost.

I want to know from all the larger site owners how have you successfully upgraded from such an older vb code to the latest, what was your upgrade process and backout plans.

Thanks

Lynne · #2 12-11-2008, 02:23 PM

I simply take a backup database of my live site, put it on my test site, upload the later version of vbulletin and then run the upgrade script.

bada_bing · #3 12-11-2008, 03:57 PM

Lyne..

Just to make sure I understand you correctly...

You make a backup of your porduction vb database
Install the current version of VB and then run the upgrade script?
Then reinstall all you hack and any template changes ?

How do you get all your VB Settings to be the same as your production site, is there a config file that keeps all the vb site settings located in the AdminCP such as permissions and all site settings

mholtum · #4 12-11-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bada_bing

Lyne..
You make a backup of your porduction vb database
Install the current version of VB and then run the upgrade script?
Then reinstall all you hack and any template changes ?

I simply 1: backup my database and my root directory then 2: Upload all the new vb files overwriting the existing ones and finally run the upgrade script. The upgrade will take longer as there will be more steps upgrading from a much older version of vb than from a newer version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bada_bing

How do you get all your VB Settings to be the same as your production site, is there a config file that keeps all the vb site settings located in the AdminCP such as permissions and all site settings

All the vb settings are stored in the database. After the upgrade all your settings will be the same but you will most likely have more/different options once the install is complete.

Since you are upgrading from such an old version and alot has changed, I am thinking your hacks will probably be way outdated. You will need to look into updated versions or alternates for the new version. A lot as changed since 3.5.x

Lynne · #5 12-11-2008, 04:21 PM

I always test an upgrade on a test site first. So I copy over my database from the live site and then upload all the new files there and do an upgrade there and then see if everything works OK. If it does, then I close my live site and upload all the files to there and run the upgrade script.

All the vB settings are stored in the database - except those that point to the database which are in the config.php file. So, if you copy the database to somewhere else (like a test site), one of the first things you need to do is change settings in vboptions > Site Name/URL/etc after you do the upgrade. Also, if avatars/sigpics/attachments are stored in the filesystem, you need to change the path to your new test site.

bada_bing · #6 12-11-2008, 04:31 PM

Thanks for the feedbacks

Allnick · #7 12-11-2008, 11:22 PM

I hope that made more sense to bada_bing than me...lol

My site was set up for me. I bought the licence etc, and had a friend (also a vB user) do the installation. He was a great help in the first year and created a good site for me.
However, his other interests means he is no longer available to help with the site.

I've maintained, and added to the site over the last two years.
Problems I thought impossible to solve...I solved just by reading or asking on vbulletin.org
I've learnt a lot....but upgrading without loosing hacks/add-ons scares the hell out of me.

Running 3-6-5

mholtum · #8 12-11-2008, 11:37 PM

Depending on which ones you have, there is a very good chance that there is an updated version of the ones you are using..

A huge plus is now they are mostly plugin type mods. Very little template modifications. Of course that varies with the hack and author of said hack..

If you know how to back up your database and your root dir via cpanel, the worse case scenario would be to just import both the database and root dir and everything will be exactly as it was before you started.

I recommend shutting down the forum first. Dont want anyone posting, etc during a major upgrade..

The first time is the toughest on your nerves. It really is not as tough as it may sound to you.
3.6.5 - 3.7.4 is not that huge of a upgrade.. Should be very straight forward.

the hacks should be plugins unless they are simply template modifications..

After the upgrade, just be sure NOT TO REVERT THE TEMPLATES in the admincp or you will lose all of them..

What is your site URL? Maybe I can poke around and see what hacks you are running and give you better in site to what is needed?

Allnick · #9 12-12-2008, 10:32 PM

Thanks Mike.......I have pm'd you.

mholtum · #10 12-12-2008, 10:39 PM

Replied..

You shouldnt have worries from what I caould see. There are a lot of template edits. Which I explained in the PM a way around any issues.

Good Luck.

I would look in your admincp under Product Manager and plugin manager and see what is actually installed. Many of those I am sure have been upgraded to the newer ver of VB and once you are upgraded install the newer version. Many will also continue to work without upgrading..

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