Questions about upgrading from 139h to 151 ?

[dmagic]

i have so many modules installed

how i can upgrade without problems ?

thanks

[lat9]

Start by making a list of all the plugins you've currently got installed. Look in the Zen Cart Plugins area and see if each plugin has been updated for Zen Cart v1.5.0 or later. If not, check the plugin's support forum since it might run on v1.5.0 without change. If you have any plugins that haven't been updated or have been reported with problems, do you absolutely need them for your store's operation?

For a store with extensive customization, like you indicate you have, my suggestion is to perform a rebuild rather than an upgrade. To rebuild, you'll create a fresh install of Zen Cart (using your current database to pull in your products, customers and orders) and then re-add each updated plugin one-at-a-time, making a good backup of your file structure and database between each new plugin. That way, you've got the fresh plugin code going into the fresh Zen Cart base and your problems with plugin incompatibility should be lessened.

[twitchtoo]

If you do it yourself, you will learn and be the wiser.

If you hire someone, they need to have the experience and ability to get it working in a reasonable amount of time.

There's pros and cons to both... and the forum has answers ;)

[DivaVocals]

For a store with extensive customization, like you indicate you have, my suggestion is to perform a rebuild rather than an upgrade. To rebuild, you'll create a fresh install of Zen Cart (using your current database to pull in your products, customers and orders) and then re-add each updated plugin one-at-a-time, making a good backup of your file structure and database between each new plugin. That way, you've got the fresh plugin code going into the fresh Zen Cart base and your problems with plugin incompatibility should be lessened.

**nods in agreement** and THIS is how I've approached all of my "upgrades" for THIS reason..

If you have any plugins that haven't been updated or have been reported with problems, do you absolutely need them for your store's operation?

Plus it makes clean starts easy peezy.. (like the site where I was no longer using a drop menu add-on)

[Rizla]

Start by making a list of all the plugins you've currently got installed. Look in the Zen Cart Plugins area and see if each plugin has been updated for Zen Cart v1.5.0 or later. If not, check the plugin's support forum since it might run on v1.5.0 without change. If you have any plugins that haven't been updated or have been reported with problems, do you absolutely need them for your store's operation?

For a store with extensive customization, like you indicate you have, my suggestion is to perform a rebuild rather than an upgrade. To rebuild, you'll create a fresh install of Zen Cart (using your current database to pull in your products, customers and orders) and then re-add each updated plugin one-at-a-time, making a good backup of your file structure and database between each new plugin. That way, you've got the fresh plugin code going into the fresh Zen Cart base and your problems with plugin incompatibility should be lessened.

Hi, I'm at the same stage... Need to now upgrade from 1.3.9h and I've only got 4 weeks to complete before the server upgrade.
Regarding the second paragraph:

I have created a 'demo' directory on the server and uploaded the install files to it. Now, before I go any further, and reading your post, do I now simply install Zen and point it to my EXISTING DB??? during the install, OR, do I create a NEW DB and then merge with the db tool?

I'm totally confused as if I used the existing db would that not work with 5.1?

Any advice

[lat9]

Hi, I'm at the same stage... Need to now upgrade from 1.3.9h and I've only got 4 weeks to complete before the server upgrade.
Regarding the second paragraph:

I have created a 'demo' directory on the server and uploaded the install files to it. Now, before I go any further, and reading your post, do I now simply install Zen and point it to my EXISTING DB??? during the install, OR, do I create a NEW DB and then merge with the db tool?

I'm totally confused as if I used the existing db would that not work with 5.1?

Any advice

Start by making a new database as a copy of your current store's database. That way, you've got your current products and a snapshot of the customers and orders at the point in time where you made the copy. Point your "demo" directory to the new database and start your upgrade process.

[frank18]

And adding to lat9's advice..

Start by making a new database as a copy of your current store's database. That way, you've got your current products and a snapshot of the customers and orders at the point in time where you made the copy. Point your "demo" directory to the new database and start your upgrade process.

Do your upgrade on a local copy of the lot - files and DB. This way you can merge/delete/update whatever at your own pace and leisure. Just take detailed notes of what mods needed upgrading/reinstalling so you can apply that later on the live site. This is also a good time to weed out installed mods you have never or very rarely used. The less mods on a site the easier future upgrades.

That's just how I have been dealing with upgrades in the past - never had a hiccup on a live site apart from a few minor errors reported in the logs.

Cheers / Frank

[Rizla]

Start by making a new database as a copy of your current store's database. That way, you've got your current products and a snapshot of the customers and orders at the point in time where you made the copy. Point your "demo" directory to the new database and start your upgrade process.

Hi lat9
Sorry for being a pain. I have so far installed the new Zen in a 'demo' directory on my server. I made a new db and installed using that
I missed the part where you said 'a copy of the original db' I gather all is not YET lost as I could create another db that IS a copy of my main existing db and alter the config files??

What I don't understand is HOW I make a COPY of my existing db to a new db. I have shaking hands and beads of sweat on my forehead.

[frank18]

....What I don't understand is HOW I make a COPY of my existing db to a new db. I have shaking hands and beads of sweat on my forehead.

In short: using phpMyAdmin export your live DB to your local HD. Then, using phpMyAdmin, import that copy into your demo DB. Next you run zc_install on your demo site and only choose DB upgrade.

Don't worry, if you muck it up then only your demo site is affected. Your live site is still humming along.

Edit:

Add lat9's last para to this post

Edit your /YOUR_ADMIN/includes/configure.php and /includes/configure.php files to reflect the newly-copied database credentials and follow the instructions posted in the FAQ section about "Upgrading your Zen Cart".

[lat9]

Go to your webhost's cPanel, there's usually a link to "Manage Databases" or "phpMyAdmin". What you're looking for is phpMyAdmin.

At the lefthand side of the screen, there's a database-selection area. Select your current (v1.3.9h) database. The buttons at the top of the main portion of the screen will change based on your selection of a database. One of the selections is "Operations", click there. One of the options is "Copy Database to:"; enter a new database name (like xxxxx_v151), choose 'Structure and data' and press "Go". That will make a copy of your v1.3.9h database into the database you've named. Depending on your webhost, you might have an option to identify (or they might just tell you) the username, hostname and password for the newly-copied database.

Edit your /YOUR_ADMIN/includes/configure.php and /includes/configure.php files to reflect the newly-copied database credentials and follow the instructions posted in the FAQ section about "Upgrading your Zen Cart".