Save customer list to use on new server

[bluefish1960]

Hi,
Is is possible to create an identicle customer list on a new site on different hosting? The list is only 41 in number so this is a small site on 1.38a that is moving to a new home and to V1.5

I believe the only way to save the list is to move the old site into the new account and use the existing database for the whole site...is that right?
Then upgrade to 1.5 afterwards?

[DrByte]

The proper way to move to a new server is described here: http://tutorials.zen-cart.com/index.php?article=100
It will retain all your customers and orders and products, etc if you follow the instructions.

[bluefish1960]

Thank you DrByte. Much appreciated.

[bluefish1960]

This is how I imagined it going...
Log in to new server, create zencart 1.5 installation and then upload the mysql databases to be used again.

Obviously, because of the tutorial linked in the post above, this idea will not work but I don't understand why?

If anyone could explain the folly of doing so it would help me a lot.

Thanks.

[bluefish1960]

Sorry, I just realised what my real question is.
Why can I not simply upload a complete home directory backup onto my new host and then upgrading to the new version after?
I found a service online to upgrade any zencart version for 24.99$, so its affordable and a real time saver.

Any reasons why not?

[DrByte]

1. Short answer: Because experience says so.

2. Slightly longer answer:
a) ALWAYS upgrade either BEFORE or AFTER switching servers. NEVER DO BOTH (upgrade and move) AT THE SAME TIME. If you don't first test a clean install on the new server then you won't know whether any problems you have are related to the move or to the upgrade or the new server or any combination of those. And you won't believe us when we tell you what we think is wrong.
b) The tutorial I pointed to results in building you a working set of configure.php files suitable for the new server. That way you don't have to "guess" at the correct contents for the files (since everyone posting here who didn't follow the instructions has always guessed wrong about what to put in the files).
c) Your old host's home directory backup may contain junk that doesn't belong on the new host. Any time you do a move you should also take the time to clean up junk. Plus, no two servers are exactly compatible with each other, since paths are different, database names are different, account features are different, etc.

3. Even more detailed answer: See all the other forum discussion threads about people who have NOT followed the advice given, and wound up asking here for extensive help trying to figure out what they've done wrong because they didn't follow the instructions.