Converting from phpbb to vbulletin?

[Gameonlock.com]

Reason im asking this is because before i download the forum and purchase the licence i need to know this.

I have this simple question. Instead of having to convert the WHOLE forum and then have to edit the code back for the mods and everything so lag is minimal and theres not a bunch of un-needed code could i just like tranfser the members, posts and the essensials of the forum just?

Or would i have to edit the forum back and take all the mods off and then do the convertion (FULL) ?

And also can anybody give me a link to the convertor im looking for...the best one.

Thanks.

[Steve Moore]

Vladi: When doing an import from phpBB to vBulletin, you have options on what to import such as with the IMPex import system, you can import members, forums, ranks, categories, and attachments, or just members and forums. Its the simplest import system to use and that will allow you to do what you want.

Cheers
Myth

[ManagerJosh]

Hi there Vladi:

The best importer is the official one, called Impex, developed by the vBulletin Team. It can import whatever you want, basically run the selected module.

Impex looks something like this. It varies from board to board you want to import:
http://files.vbulletin.com/doc_images/impex/impex_modules.png

You can get the Importer in the Members Area, once you've purchase the license for vBulletin.

Also, you may want to run a few tests here and there to see how it fairs. When adding mods, it depends on how extensive the database modificatoins have been which can cause problems during the import procedure. If the modifications hasn't altered the database too much from it's stock form, you should be fine :).

[Gameonlock.com]

Im just asking because i have mods installed on my sites phpbb atm. Mods like: Shoutbox, color groups, quick reply, etc. Im just wondering because i dont want the code of these mods in my new vB code because it wont be used and will just cause problems later on in the future.

[Onimua]

Im just asking because i have mods installed on my sites phpbb atm. Mods like: Shoutbox, color groups, quick reply, etc. Im just wondering because i dont want the code of these mods in my new vB code because it wont be used and will just cause problems later on in the future.
ImpEx won't touch any of the mods. :)

Most of that is all default anyway. :D

[Gameonlock.com]

I shouldnt have any problems removing the mods codes from the files i alterted...would take 5 days at the most if i have major critical errors. If thats the case i guess ill remove the codes by hand and then have a 'Clean' and 'Modless' copy of phpbb and then convert it. When im using this converter how does it work? by this i mean after the conversion where do the files that were converted go? Will my phpbb copy be changed/effected/replaced right after the convertion?

[Onimua]

ImpEx only uses the database; it doesn't look at the phpBB files.

[Gameonlock.com]

So if i have files like posting.php memberlist.php prvtmsg.php index.php with mod code in it everything will be fine? it wont be touched at convertion?

[Onimua]

Nope. :) ImpEx only uses the database information. Your modified phpBB files can be left alone without any extra work.

Just have vBulletin installed, upload ImpEx (making sure all the configuration for ImpEx is correct) and click your way through the system until your phpBB database has been converted.

[Gameonlock.com]

Alright thanks everybody for clearing things up.

[feldon23]

I hope you realize that phpBB mods are completely incompatible with vBulletin and ignored by the import/export.

Whereas in phpBB, you had to modify a lot of files to add something like a Shoutbox, Color Groups, Quick Reply, etc. you can add a Shoutbox to vBulletin by editing 1 template and Color Groups and Quick Reply are built into vB.

You can set up a test vB board, get it looking how you want by installing Plugins (instead of hacking up PHP files, you just upload XML files which are not destroyed by upgrades) and making Template modifications. Then when you are happy with the appearance of your vB forum, THEN import all your phpBB data. Minimal downtime (hours instead of days).

[linksysinfo]

my site is run on phpNuke platinum. and has a phpbb intergrated forum with phpnuke, can i use impex to conveert to vb (for forums) without any problems?

[feldon23]

my site is run on phpNuke platinum. and has a phpbb intergrated forum with phpnuke, can i use impex to conveert to vb (for forums) without any problems?Please start your own thread so there is no confusion about whose questions are being answered.