Upgrade from 2.3.0 - steps?? help

[rapsearch]

Hi,

I'm looking for some instruction to upgrade my board. I got the old vb 2.3.0 version and want to update to the generation3.

My question is what the right steps to take are since i'm new to this. :ermm:

- backup my site (ftp and mysql)
- run update files from vb

The update process will mean that i lose my hacks right? Most of them are converted to gen 3 already so i can place those back once my script is upgraded right?

My main problem is this.. my community is growing daily, now if i backup my mysql database, it will be "old" before i have upgraded everything, hacks etc. How can i install all hacks and modifications needed without losing newly posted threads on my active database? I don't want to close down my board for a few days as well to arrange this all.

Can anyone who's had the same issue explain to me how they did this?

[Colin F]

I would:

Backup your database and files.
Set up a testinstallation on your server or on your localhost using this backup you just made.
Go through the upgrade process on your testboard

Here you have two options:
1. Close your real board, pull another backup and upgrade the board
Install all the modifications you want

or

2. Try installing all your modifications and check if everything works. Make sure you note down all the database changes that are made.
Upload the (modified) vB3 files to your webserver and perform the upgrade like described in 1. Then, perform all the required actions to the database, test it to make sure everything works and open it.