Upgrade from 3.0.12 to 3.8.6

[peterska2]

Hey!

3.0.x won't run on php5

Before doing anything, backup and backup again to be safe.

Never ever import instead of upgrading. It's the sure fire way to break things!

You'll need to redo the config.php file as that changed between 3.0.x and 3.5.x

A few things to do in advance:
- A clean install of the version you are upgrading to on a test site to convert your style. Styles have changed a lot since 3.0.x unless you have only made CSS changes in which case those will still apply after upgrading.
- Practice your upgrade on a test board using a copy of your live database. It will give you an idea of how long it takes and also any issues you may have can be worked out before upgrading your live site.

To upgrade:

- Close your live board
- Backup
- Backup again
- Upload the 3.8.[whatever the number is these days] files overwriting your existing files
- Redo config.php
- Run the upgrade script
- Be patient - some parts take a long time to run, especially the 3.5.0 beta upgrade sections and the 3.6.0 beta sections.
- When the upgrade script has finished, import your style that you updated on your test board
- Check for problems
- Open your site again

If you've got modifications on your site, they won't work any more. However, once you get used to it, you'll find the plugin system a pleasure to work with instead of editing files.

Good luck with the upgrade