Upgrades

Before Getting Started

Backup Your Forum

Please backup both your forums database and files before continuing. This may seem like common sense but is often forgotten. If the upgrade process fails and you do not have a backup, XMB will be unable to help you. All data could be lost: posts, users, etc. You have been warned!

Modifications Notice

The upgrader is designed to work when modifications are installed. Starting with XMB-1.9.11.11.zip, all custom data in your database should be preserved during the upgrade procedure. Templates are not preserved because they are overwritten as part of the upgrade. If you attempt to upgrade to an older version such as 1.9.8 to 1.9.10, all modification data, templates and code, will be destroyed during the upgrade process. Please proceed with extreme caution if you wish to keep your modification data intact.

Known Issues

Upgrading can be quite resource intensive, especially with large databases. The upgrade script can consume up to two times the amount of disk space you are currently using. If the upgrader stops while modifying any table, please contact the support staff at XMBForum2.com. Restore your database and original files from backups if necessary.

How To Upgrade From Old Versions

Upgrading from XMB 1.9.11

If you are already running the latest patch level of 1.9.11, you will be able to upgrade to 1.9.12 as soon as your server meets the PHP 7 requirement.

If you are still running PHP 5, you cannot upgrade to XMB 1.9.12 and later versions. There are two practical upgrade paths:

• Upgrade PHP and XMB at the same time. By installing PHP 7.0 or later, you can immediately upgrade to XMB 1.9.12. Note if you are not on the latest patched release of 1.9.11, your old XMB site might not work until upgraded.

• Upgrade to the latest patched release of 1.9.11. Starting with 1.9.11.15, PHP 7 is fully supported. This will make the transition easier if you don't have control of the PHP version.

If your host already upgraded to PHP 7 and your XMB site stopped working because it is 1.9.11.14 or less:

• Upgrade directly to XMB 1.9.12. Your site will resume normal operation as soon as you run the XMB upgrade script.

Upgrading from XMB 1.8+

XMB-1.9.11.11.zip and newer versions will enable you to upgrade smoothly. The XMB upgrade system has been completely re-written to provide improved stability and compatibility.

If you are still running PHP 5, you cannot upgrade to XMB 1.9.12 and later versions. There are two practical upgrade paths:

• Upgrade PHP and XMB at the same time. By installing PHP 7.0 or later, you can immediately upgrade to XMB 1.9.12.

• Upgrade to 1.9.11. By installing the latest patched release of 1.9.11, your XMB site will be compatible with both PHP 5 and PHP 7. This might make the transition easier.

Upgrading from XMB 1.6 and older versions

You must upgrade to XMB 1.8.

Upgrade Instructions

1. Log in to your board as a Super Administrator.
2. Disable your forums using the Board Status setting.
3. BACKUP YOUR DATABASE - This script cannot be undone!
4. Confirm your forum database account is granted ALTER, CREATE, INDEX, and LOCK privileges.
5. Copy your config.php settings into the new file.
6. Upload the XMB files. Do not upload the install folder (delete it if necessary).
7. Upload the upgrade directory to your board's root directory.
8. Run this script by hitting the upgrade URL, for example: http://www.example.com/forum/upgrade/
9. When finished, remember to delete the upgrade directory and enable your forums using the Board Status setting.