Dr Byte,

I'm upgrading from 1.3.9 to 1.5.1

What's to be done when I've read multiple "how to install" and "how to upgrade" posts and followed the instructions as you said numerous times...

Quote Originally Posted by DrByte View Post
NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do that then you will have database tables that have different structures than what the PHP code expects, and will thus run into errors, and then you'll be back here asking for support on how to fix probably the hardest problem to ever sort out.

Do a COMPLETE backup, and import the COMPLETE database, and upgrade the COMPLETE database using zc_install. That's the smartest, safest, and official way to do an upgrade.

Clearly if you need to ask the questions you're asking then your knowledge isn't strong enough to handle all the zillion issues that will arise if you cheat in the process. Sorry if you find that statement offensive, but it's a fact, and if you bust everything by doing it the wrong way then it's going to cost you big bucks to get an expert to clean it all up for you.

There's NO NEED WHATSOEVER to take the shortcuts you're suggesting in your first post. Take the COMPLETE database forward to your new site.

If you don't understand why I'm saying that, then clearly you absolutely need to NOT take the shortcuts you're talking about.
...and the database upgrade still fails??

To be fair, I did a practice run and it worked - once. Then with an up-to-date database, I tried again and it fails to upgrade the database - 6 times!! The instructions say to check it out, it might run anyway.

Well, the database looks good in phpmyAdmin. But it completely breaks the store's checkout system when running the site.

I followed the instructions. I had the boss look over my shoulder as I did so. Where do we go when following instructions doesn't work?

I've read maybe dozens of posts. These and more...

http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?140 -
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?148 -
http://www.zen-cart.com/entry.php?3-...d-of-upgrading -
http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p...resh-copy-1-50 -
http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p