Upgrading from 3.8.2. to 4.2.2 Have never upgraded and cannot access Admin Control Panel

[BryanJobe]

My hosting company upgraded servers and is running a PHP that is not supported by my old 3.8.2 version. I'm getting database errors and cannot (or don't know how) to access the admin control panel. I have downloaded the 4.2.2 (requirements supported by my hosting) and am nervous about installing the upgrade and the first step to to close my site via the admin control panel.

I have backed up my database via my hosting company just in case. I have downloaded all of my files just in case. But now how do I start if I can't access through my website the control panel?

I'm quite technology intolerant, thus why I left a very stable 3.8.2 vbulletin running for 5.5 years.

Thanks

Bryan

[Joshua Gonzales]

You do not need to have your forums off to do an upgrade. You've got everything backed up so follow the instructions for upgrading found here: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/upgrade (choose 4.2.2 from the drop down menu).
You do not HAVE to because you are already running 3.8.2, but it is recommended to go to 3.8.8 before upgrading to 4.2.2. In any case, as long as your database and files are backed up, attempt the upgrade(s).

[BryanJobe]

Thanks for the info. I managed to upload all the files and started the upgrade but this error came up immediately. No idea, any help here?

Database error in vBulletin 3.8.2:

Invalid SQL:

SELECT value
FROM setting
WHERE varname = 'upgrade_from';;

MySQL Error : Table 'bryanjobe.setting' doesn't exist
Error Number : 1146
Request Date : Sunday, September 20th 2015 @ 08:37:10 PM
Error Date : Sunday, September 20th 2015 @ 08:37:14 PM
Script : http://www.61-62cadillacs.com/forums...ll/upgrade.php
Referrer : http://www.61-62cadillacs.com/forums...ll/upgrade.php
IP Address : 24.73.249.102
Username :
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version : 5.5.33-log