Migrating from 3.0.7 to latest version of VB.. help

[hdtvoice]

ok, i just got hosting on a new server, and want to start the process..

my old server wont let me run a command line database backup, so I went to the Admincp to do it via the database backup function. Long story short, I hit the go button and save it to my hard drive, but it times out and fails about 120megs into it.

I think I will be able to backup each table seperately, so here is my question..

I have the newest version of VB uploaded to my new server.... should I go ahead and install the software using the install file, then import the backed up database files into the existing new database files from the new install? Will that work?

Also, when it comes to the tables to backup from the old site, which ones are absolutely necessary to backup and move to the site... I see about 75-125 listed, so the less I need to backup would be nice... obviously I need to backup the main form posts table (which one is that btw???) and the users... .what else?

thanks

[Steve Machol]

No, do NOT run install.php. You need to upgrade normally once you've made a good backup of the database. Please follow the upgrade documentation here:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/upgrade/

[hdtvoice]

Im not sure I will be able to make a good copy of the DB...

so your saying its impossible to just import the old tables on top of the new tables?

[Steve Machol]

The data in each table is connected to data in other tables. So your proposed solution will very likely result is a damaged database.

The only consistently reliable method of backing up and restoring a database is with shell access via telnet or ssh. This is because backing up with a PHP script like that in the Admin CP or phpMyAdmin can result in PHP timeout errors and an incomplete backup file.

Please see the instructions here:

Backup:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/maintenance_ssh_backup

Restore:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/maintenance_ssh_restore

If you don't have telnet or SSH access, some people have reported success with these scripts:

MySQLDumper:

http://www.mysqldumper.de/en/index.php

MySQLHotxcopy:

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134821&highlight=mysqlhotcopy