Can I use impex (Target vB 3.8.2 -- Source vB 3.7.4) ?

[FadyCoder]

Hi,

I want to to use Impex to export full data from vBulletin 3.7.4 (old forum) and Import it to fresh install for vBulletin 3.8.2 .. ?

I have chosen vb_36 to be "Source Board Format" as I didn't find 3.7 option.
Now I tried to run first module "001 Check and update database" but I have a problem >>

subscriptionlog - importsubscriptionlogid Completed Failed Check database permissions and connection, or table prefix to ensure its correct

Sorry for my bad English :(

Regards

[peterska2]

Don't use ImpEx. Upgrade properly.

[FadyCoder]

Don't use ImpEx. Upgrade properly.

The old forum contains many hacks and I want to start with fresh install.
I know that I can remove this hacks but it will take long time and may have some errors.

I think that IMPEX will be the best solution for that.

[peterska2]

It wont ;)

It causes more problems than you think you will solve by using impex instead of upgrading correctly.

[Biker]

What you can do is upgrade, then blow off the forum installation and then reinstall as a new installation using the existing database. While it doesn't take care of the extra tables and fields in the database, your installation will be squeaky clean. Then you can go through your DB at your leisure and clean that up as time permits.

[peterska2]

Don't do that! You'll lose all your data!

You need to remove any unwanted modifications then upgrade correctly.

[Biker]

Huh? How do you loose your data? You first upgrade to 3.8.2, then blow off the forum installation, then install as a new installation keeping the DB intact. The forum software is squeaky clean with no additions, and then all you need to do is go through the DB as time permits. I've done this before when I started getting some weird behavior from old template edits.

[Wayne Luke]

Reinstalling on an existing database will first delete all tables in the database and then create new ones. You never want to reinstall over your existing database if you want to keep your data.

The proper way to upgrade without addons is to remove all your addons and then upgrade using upgrade.php. If you feel you must delete extra fields and tables, then use this utility:
http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=209890

[Biker]

Hmmmmmm. I was totally unaware of this. But it has worked for me in the past. I take it that I ran the risk of loosing my entire site using that method?

[Wayne Luke]

It wouldn't have worked in the past. You must have run the upgrade. If there are existing database tables, the install would error out on step 3 and be unable to continue. I believe you are just remembering things incorrectly. It will however give you a link to continue as an upgrade instead of an install. However you cannot reinstall over an existing database and yes you risk losing your data using this method. Overwrite the database and there is nothing you can do to restore it unless you made a backup previously.

[Biker]

**chuckle** I'm not that brave. I always run a backup prior to upgrading. :D

[FadyCoder]

Ok Iam going to take the recommended way (Upgrading)
I uninstalled some modifications but I found that their data still in my database !
the problem now > how I can make my database clean !?

[Biker]

I had the same issue with old modifications. Only way to keep the existing data and clean up the database is to go in and manually clean it up.

[FadyCoder]

That's good way if you have a good knowledge of basic vBulletin tables and will be easy for you know the new tables ... !
but what about if I don't know which tables for vBulletin and which for modifications !?

I have another question too : Do the modifications insert data in vBulletin tables or they create new tables only !?

[Wayne Luke]

That's good way if you have a good knowledge of basic vBulletin tables and will be easy for you know the new tables ... !
but what about if I don't know which tables for vBulletin and which for modifications !?

Then you follow the link in Post #8 (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1728223&postcount=8) above and use the utility provided. Remember, modifying your vBulletin is done at your own risk. The utility provided at vBulletin.org is about as far as we're willing to go to remove unwanted fields from the database.


I have another question too : Do the modifications insert data in vBulletin tables or they create new tables only !?I'd say both. Depends on the modification.

ImpEx simply isn't designed for upgrades. You may lose data. Its primary goal is the integrity of the Target database, not importing 100% of the Source. In fact, having modifications on the Source may cause problems with the import, so you would have to uninstall them and clean the database manually using the utility located at www.vbulletin.org (http://www.vbulletin.org). ImpEx will also invalidate every link to your forum from external websites and search engines as it will renumber all users, threads, posts, and attachments to fit its needs in maintaining the target database's integrity.

[FadyCoder]

I upgraded my forum successfully after I uninstalled modifications and then I used "Comparison Utility" to delete tables and fields for old modifications.

Thanks