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By erikajune on
I am using version 4.6.3 and am having major issues with the site. It seems to be falling apart. Admin can't log in, pages not displaying, etc. I was just editing the site (page.tpl.php) - adding a new menu and maybe it's a coincidence that these issues started right after that but even restoring the original file doesn't fix the problem.
1) Why is this happening? Is it likely that the host has upgraded their stuff (PHP, MySQL, etc) and my version doesn't like it?
2) Will upgrading to the latest (or most stable) version help?
3) Will I lose any content in this upgrade?
4) Will I lose the template I have customized?
Anything else I should know? Is it complicated to upgrade?
Comments
Erika,
Erika,
I would strongly suggest upgrading your 4.6 version to 4.7 or 5.1 if only because 4.6 is no longer being maintained (ie no more bug fixes submitted etc). When upgrading you need to think about your theme and modules that you use, i.e. have they been upgraded to the new version, or are they not being maintained anymore. If you have a custom theme and/or custom modules then you will have to upgrade them yourself. If you want to go to the cutting edge and upgrade to 5.x then I think you will have to upgrade to 4.7.x first. Upgrading shouldn't destroy your content/database, but it ALWAYS important to backup everything first.
Some more information on upgrading:
http://drupal.org/upgrade/
To upgrade from 4.7 to Drupal 5:
http://www.lullabot.com/videocast/upgrading_from_drupal_4_7_x_to_drupal_5_x
newms
So just so I'm clear (I'm
So just so I'm clear (I'm doing this for a client so I want to let them know how this will go down), if I upgrade the site will revert to a default template, correct?
All the content would still be there and accessible through the admin panel (assuming all hell doesn't break loose and I lose everything - knock on wood)?
Is the 5.x version stable? Or would it be better to just stick with 4.7 for awhile? I like the idea of cutting edge though. I have a slight obsession with new software.
And this is just a typical upgrade - kind of like updating vBulletin? Click a few buttons and pray everything goes good?
The upgraded Drupal will not
The upgraded Drupal will not support you 4.6 custom theme, so you will have to upgrade it (the documentation is on this site somewhere) or create a new theme. To upgrade you swith to a default theme first and then do the upgrade.
All the content will be there, nothing lost. BUT it is important to back up your database, files directory, and sites directory (esp settings.php).
5.x is stable - you need to look at the modules you use in 4.6 and see if they're available in 5.x. If not then can you live without that functionality or work around it? I would recommend upgrading to 5.x if you are ok with this issue. To upgrade to 5.x, you have to upgrade to 4.7 first(I believe). Here's some links:
http://www.lullabot.com/videocast/upgrading-to-drupal-4.7
http://www.lullabot.com/videocast/upgrading_from_drupal_4_7_x_to_drupal_5_x
Upgrading is not a simple as pressing a few buttons. You actually need to delete the old installation and unpack the new installation in your web directory, so it is essential that you back up your database, files directory, custom modules/themes, and sites directory (esp settings.php). Any way the videos should explain the process in detail.
newms
The upgraded Drupal will not
The upgraded Drupal will not support you 4.6 custom theme, so you will have to upgrade it (the documentation is on this site somewhere) or create a new theme. To upgrade you swith to a default theme first and then do the upgrade.
All the content will be there, nothing lost. BUT it is important to back up your database, files directory, and sites directory (esp settings.php).
5.x is stable - you need to look at the modules you use in 4.6 and see if they're available in 5.x. If not then can you live without that functionality or work around it? I would recommend upgrading to 5.x if you are ok with this issue. To upgrade to 5.x, you have to upgrade to 4.7 first(I believe). Here's some links:
http://www.lullabot.com/videocast/upgrading-to-drupal-4.7
http://www.lullabot.com/videocast/upgrading_from_drupal_4_7_x_to_drupal_5_x
Upgrading is not a simple as pressing a few buttons. You actually need to delete the old installation and unpack the new installation in your web directory, so it is essential that you back up your database, files directory, custom modules/themes, and sites directory (esp settings.php). Any way the videos should explain the process in detail.
newms
What the...
I just tried to check out the demo admin and it's giving me the same problems. Uh... am I going crazy?
oops double post
oops double post
Backups are your friend
Before attempting any upgrade, do a backup of your site's Document Root, and get a dump of your database.
I haven't done what you're faced with, so I'd suggest maybe upgrading to the latest 4.7x version, and then upwards from there, if you want to. If you go beyond 4.7x, then be aware that modules and themes may not work (5.x is a different product to 4.7x)
In short, the best way to attempt what you're thinking of is to setup a test server. Use the backups you've made to build it, so it's as similar to the real environment as possible. Then, do whatever upgrades and playing about you need. You may want to write down what you did, so you can do it all again on the real site, with some hope that it will all work as planned. Your test server is your friend - make your mistakes there, not on your live site.