upgrading live store with several changes

[sports guy]

I have read several different help files about moving to another server, upgrading, and installing zen cart. I have done this multiple times in the past, but this time my upgrade is a little different. I am looking for a little advice.

I was wondering what steps to take for this: I am running version 1.3.9 live on a server, and in a different folder of this same server, I just did a fresh install of v1.5.1. My plan is to export all my product and orders to the new installation. The problem is that I am going to use a new and different template and just a few or slightly different add-ons (since many are still not compatible with version 1.5.1). Also my newer template will probably use different add-ons. Since I have thousands of products, and many attributes I need to import my database. But what I am afraid of is importing the database with different add-ons. I want to keep both installations running (the first version 1.3.9 untouched) until the second is completely ready to go live.

Also this new store will add additional payment system with SSL area unlike the older store which just has Paypal. So my new store features and some settings will be somewhat different than the older store.

So should I go in this order (create completely new store, then import old database):
1. Install New Store using New Installation
2. Configure New Template
3. Fresh install of all new add-ons (plus old ones that are compatible)
4. Copy current store settings (I can do this by opening both installations and comparing)
5. Import/Upgrade database

Or Maybe this (import current store fully first, then change over to new features and template):
1. Install New Store using New Installation
2. Upload all older configured files, image, and changes.
3. Copy current store settings (I can do this by opening both installations and comparing)
4. Import the old database.
5. Now create new template, and change add-on features.

Last, I am afraid to use the upgrade database feature during zc_install. Is this going to wipe out or overwrite my current running database? I have a new database installed for new installation, and just want to import the old database into the new installation; without disturbing the old database that is still running live. If possible maybe just import products and orders only.

I don't know which steps to take to make sure I retain the old database but with a new installation, template, add-ons and features. I guess I am confused as to which way to go here. Any help would be much appreciated.

[sports guy]

Hmmm. I think I need to upgrade using these instructions: http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...tion_-_Upgrade Then create my new template and then change all add-ons after that.

[kobra]

That will work
If you know what addons you have and which ones also had sql patches
Did they also have uninstall sql patches?
If so run them on your imported DB

[sports guy]

Thanks Kobra. I do have a list of add-ons complete with version numbers. And during database upgrade, I received this notice:

During the database-upgrade process, some SQL statements could not be executed because they would have created duplicate entries in the database, or the prerequisites (such as column must exist to change or drop) were not met.

THE MOST COMMON CAUSE of these failures/exceptions is that you have installed a contribution/add-on that has made alterations to the core database structure. The upgrader is trying to be friendly and not create a problem for you.

YOUR STORE MAY WORK JUST FINE without investigating these errors, however, we recommend that you check them out to be sure.

If you wish to investigate, you may look at your "upgrade_exceptions" table in the database for details on which statements failed to execute and why.

I was wondering how to address those issues. I will follow your instructions and run the uninstall sql patches for those that have them. As I am afraid to just go ripping stuff out of my database.

[kobra]

What were the duplicate entries??

Most often these can be ignored as they exist and were just skipped due to duplicate

[sports guy]

What were the duplicate entries??

Most often these can be ignored as they exist and were just skipped due to duplicate

This is what I have:

upgrade_exception_id	sql_file	reason	errordate	sqlstatement
1	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_137_to_138.sql	Cannot create table nochex_apc_transactions becaus...	2008-11-12 07:45:46	CREATE TABLE nochex_apc_transactions (
2	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_137_to_138.sql	Cannot create table nochex_sessions because it alr...	2008-11-12 07:45:46	CREATE TABLE nochex_sessions (
3	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_137_to_138.sql	Cannot ALTER or INSERT/REPLACE into table linkpoin...	2008-11-12 07:45:46	ALTER TABLE linkpoint_api CHANGE COLUMN zen_order_...
4	SQLPATCH	Cannot create table links_aliases because it alrea...	2008-11-12 08:42:37	CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS links_aliases (
5	SQLPATCH	Cannot insert configuration_key "PRODUCTS_OPTIONS_...	2008-11-13 13:22:14	INSERT INTO configuration VALUES (NULL, 'Product o...
6	SQLPATCH	Cannot insert configuration_key "UPLOAD_PREFIX" be...	2008-11-13 13:22:15	INSERT INTO configuration VALUES (NULL, 'Upload pr...
7	SQLPATCH	Cannot insert configuration_key "TEXT_PREFIX" beca...	2008-11-13 13:22:15	INSERT INTO configuration VALUES (NULL, 'Text pref...
8	SQLPATCH	Cannot insert configuration_key "IH_VERSION" becau...	2008-11-13 13:22:15	INSERT INTO configuration VALUES (NULL, 'Image Han...
9	SQLPATCH	Cannot create table products_with_attributes_stock...	2008-11-14 19:00:22	CREATE TABLE products_with_attributes_stock (
10	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_138_to_139.sql	Cannot insert configuration_key "SHOW_SPLIT_TAX_CH...	2010-08-29 22:12:53	INSERT INTO configuration (configuration_title, co...
11	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_138_to_139.sql	Cannot add index idx_prod_id_orders_id_zen to tabl...	2010-08-29 22:12:56	ALTER TABLE orders_products ADD INDEX idx_prod_id_...
12	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_138_to_139.sql	Cannot add index idx_cust_id_orders_id_zen to tabl...	2010-08-29 22:12:56	ALTER TABLE orders ADD INDEX idx_cust_id_orders_id...
13	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot drop index page_accessed on table admin_act...	2012-11-02 11:29:50	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log DROP INDEX page_acc...
14	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot drop index access_date on table admin_activ...	2012-11-02 11:29:50	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log DROP INDEX access_d...
15	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot add index idx_page_accessed_zen to table ad...	2012-11-02 11:29:50	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD INDEX idx_page_...
16	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot add index idx_access_date_zen to table admi...	2012-11-02 11:29:50	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD INDEX idx_acces...
17	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot insert configuration_key "STORE_TELEPHONE_C...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	INSERT INTO configuration (configuration_title, co...
18	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot insert configuration_key "SSLPWSTATUSCHECK"...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	INSERT INTO configuration (configuration_title, co...
19	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot ADD column flagged because it already exist...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD COLUMN flagged ...
20	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot ADD column attention because it already exi...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD COLUMN attentio...
21	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot ADD column gzpost because it already exists...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD COLUMN gzpost m...
22	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot drop index page_accessed on table admin_act...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log DROP INDEX page_acc...
23	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot drop index access_date on table admin_activ...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log DROP INDEX access_d...
24	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot add index idx_page_accessed_zen to table ad...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD INDEX idx_page_...
25	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot add index idx_access_date_zen to table admi...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD INDEX idx_acces...
26	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot add index idx_flagged_zen to table admin_ac...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin_activity_log ADD INDEX idx_flagg...
27	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot ADD column admin_profile because it already...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin ADD COLUMN admin_profile int(11)...
28	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot add index idx_admin_profile_zen to table ad...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin ADD INDEX idx_admin_profile_zen ...
29	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot ADD column prev_pass1 because it already ex...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin ADD COLUMN prev_pass1 varchar(40...
30	sql/mysql_upgrade_zencart_139_to_150.sql	Cannot ADD column prev_pass2 because it already ex...	2012-11-02 11:30:10	ALTER TABLE admin ADD COLUMN prev_pass2 varchar(40...

Check All / Uncheck All With selected:

My thought was to upgrade all add-ons that I have the current 1.5.1 support. And all others just leave alone. I would hope these left behind do not cause any future issues. Stock by attributes I will definatley re-install the new files (if its up to date). I can see most of these are add-ons that I need to update.

[kobra]

If the reasons are that they already exist - - you can ignore them as they are just informational

[sports guy]

Thank you!