Will I still be in business?

[Rizla]

Hi
I'm still on v1.3.9 and just had notification that my host is upgrading the servers to PHP 5.4 in May.

Will my site still run or do I have to apply any patches?

Thanks

[Design75]

The patch to apply is upgrading to ZC 1.5.1.
This will run on php 5.4 with some warnings in your log folder. there is a thread somewhere, can't remember where exactly, for applyng some patches to make 1.5.1 fully compatible with php 5.4

[Rizla]

So, your saying I am NOT compat at present???

My site is heavily moded with version appropriate add-on's and will be a major job to upgrade everything. The amount of down time would be too much.

So, is it time to move on and start over ( Not wanting to do that again as it took me a year to get here: https://www.thepersonalisedtouch.com/

Almost time to call it a day.... HELP

[frank18]

So, your saying I am NOT compat at present???

My site is heavily moded with version appropriate add-on's and will be a major job to upgrade everything. The amount of down time would be too much.

So, is it time to move on and start over ( Not wanting to do that again as it took me a year to get here: https://www.thepersonalisedtouch.com/

Almost time to call it a day.... HELP

Firstly, your template (Andover Modern) is compatible with zc 1.5.1 - will need a few merges with the new/updated files though - nothing major. So that's easypeasy .

Secondly, if you follow the instructions about upgrading from 1.3.9h to 1.5.1 to a tee then you should be ok. Even better if you have kept notes about your installed mods.

Lastly, I have been running a couple of 1.3.9h stores (meanwhile upgraded to 1.5.1) for some time with php 5.4.23 and had no major problems. A few cache/log files needed attention to fix underlying problems, but again, no major problem.

As suggested earlier patches are available, just needs a search in the forums.

[twitchtoo]

There is no downtime if you start now on a testing server... :)

[Rizla]

Testing server?
You mean 'local' Sorry, Doc's got me on some nasty medication at present and concentration levels are NIL lol. Can't remember which one I used now.

Bearing in mind 'IF' I'm going upgrade, would I be better stating ALL over again from scratch or persevere with tedious merging Etc. Could I import all my products or would I need to enter them all again? Questions, questions.... I'm no programmer and struggled through Zen but got there in the end with some great help from here. Can't face the though of starting over again. Ignore me if I'm rambling.. it's the meds lol

[stevesh]

The easiest way is to install the new site in a subdirectory of your current site (/new, for example).

I think these issues provide a good (and usually sorely needed) opportunity to take a good look at your current site with an eye to stop using as many 'version appropriate add-ons' as possible.

[Rizla]

stevesh.... I think your right. Advice? What would you knock off (exclude) from my amateur (pretty) site lol. Seriously!

Somehow I just knew I needed a new start (before the hosting notification) so maybe now grab the latest Zen and re-begin.

OK... As I asked earlier... Can I retain the info (product's) within my existing database OR is it a total rebuild?

ie. What's the easiest/best way to continue?

Thanks for the help

[gjh42]

You can easily retain all of your products and categories, by backing up your live database and importing it into your new site db, and selecting "database upgrade" in zc_install. Keeping the latest customer and order information will require re-saving and importing at the moment you go live with the new site, and may be a bit trickier if you have new mods that affect the db.

See the tutorials for details of the process.

[mc12345678]

Yeah, you're thinking a little too far into the what if I don't follow the posted procedure of how toupgrade. The instructions cover database upgrading/carryover. The discussions of test server/alternate path, etc...are all about keeping your current site functioning while you rebuild/edit/modify/test your new version. Reportedly the downtime is nothing for the changeover, but I usually will put the site in maintenance mode for 15-30 minutes while I check out the basics to ensure the files transferred successfully.