3.7 to 4.2.5 upgrade error when running script - Error- Action Required Unexpected Text:

[Dfried]

I am running the upgrade and after a bid of issues with php versions I got this far and hit a wall. Tech support has assigned my case to someone on the other side of the world so its taken forever to get this far. Anyone got an answer for me ?
Running 3.7 and updating to 4.2.5 forum only
Running PHP 5.6 - both had the same issue if I tried 7.0
So HELP

Action Required
Unexpected Text:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<error>Could not create file system directory to hold your attachment.</error>

[Dfried]

if you run into this problem start with making sure your all your files are contained with in the database, not the file system. You do this in the admincp. Also dump your cashe table from the database, if it exists. That's what worked for me