Configure.php delete reinstall causes problems

[swirlback]

I'm stuck with the same error message "Warning Your database appears to need patching to a higher level. See Tools->Server Information to review patch levels."
I hope somehow it's related and help solve the problem.

My Tools->Server Information page displays
Zen Cart 1.3.9d
Database Patch Level: 1.3.8
(That's a mismatch. How do we update Patch Level?)

Both of my configure.php files point to the new path and I see no problem there.

My background (again, I hope this info is useful.)
I installed 1.3.9d into a fresh directory, created a new SQL database, and then imported my 1.3.8 database local backup as per instruction:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=100

The aforementioned error seem to indicate I'm missing a step also?