WordPress › Support » trying to upgrade from 4.1 to 5.0 in MySQL & from 2.9.1 to 3.0...at same time

stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Hi- this is very confusing to me but I'll try to be accurate.

I'm on GoDaddy.
I installed WP awhile back, but never set it up. I finally did set it up, and I was prompted to upgrade, which I THOUGHT I had...from 2.9.1 to 2.9.2. My ADMIN page said I was running 2.9.2. HOWEVER...GoDaddy admin said I was on 2.9.1, AND that I could NOT upgrade to 2.9.2 because I was using an incompatible database version (4.1). OK. So, I can't upgrade via their site, and I can't use 3.0 on 4.1 MySQL, and I have a live site. So I determined I would set up a test site (in a subdomain of my site on GoDaddy). I installed 3.0 (with it's 5.0 MySQL). I did an export (through PHPadmin) and attempted to import it to the new data base. NO luck. I tried using the GoDaddy tools. No Luck. I've made some suggested adjustments to the back up SQL...such as changing the database name to reflect the current one...taking out the "CREATE" command string...numerous things that have been suggested. I'm completely confused, and while I THINK I may have the data actually IN the data base now, I can't SEE it. I desperately need some help. I hope someone will have pity on me? It's obvious i don't have a clue, right? lol. Ya gotta give me credit for trying tho. I've been working on this for a week.
Thank you.
James
Happiness Engineer
Posted 1 year ago #

Unless you have a dedicated server or a VPS, MySQL is something that you'll have to ask your hosting provider to update. Once they have you on MySQL 5.x, you can then upgrade WordPress to 3.0.
stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

They do not provide that service. They will help somewhat, however since the database is "inside" wordpress...they won't really support it. They basically told me... export the old one, and import the new one...but that's about it. I really don't know where else to turn. They have tools on their site that actually sort of by-pass phpadmin..but there's also a access for that service. Other than that, they do nothing.
stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

I should add...the installation of WordPress is an add on to their hosting stuff. They offer any number of additional free services which they have set up to quick-install. 3.0 has been giving them trouble anyway...so I'm really pushing the envelope with this mess.
James
Happiness Engineer
Posted 1 year ago #

Do you have a Dedicated or Virtual Dedicated Server with GoDaddy, or are you on one of their shared hosting plans?
stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Thanks so much for helping me...

It's shared. I have several sub-domains under my main site, and the test site is under a sub-domain of that site. I know that they host their databases on different servers than the regular hosting files but they said that it SHOULD be a simple export/import.

The last import I did (exported 4.1 database to SQL file, took out the Create/Use strings according to log errors, removed the "drop" function and then imported it to the new clean install database) says that it was successful according to the log...but I can't SEE the data. There is a blank page when attempting to access index.php Now I'm thinking it has something to do with the theme on the old version?..or maybe that because my paths in the old version (the live site) are altered? My index.php is in the root, with the rest of it in a wordpress folder...but I didn't think that was stored in the data-base? I thought that was simply a function of PHP.

I'm also admittedly utterly at a loss as to what htaccess does, and how IT functions. Maybe I don't have the proper permissions set up for wp? I have an htaccess in my root...for the old site, as well as covering some other stuff. Could that be blocking me? AGGGH. Everything ELSE works..and before I did the import I was able to access the new clean 3.0 installation..so I don't see why that would be a problem.

<--- pretty much tearing out hair.
I'm perfectly willing to delete everything and start over...as often as it takes because I really don't want to lose my site. I've just gotten it to a point where I'm getting a LITTLE traffic, and it's very important to me to keep that up. Thank you again...
James
Happiness Engineer
Posted 1 year ago #

Follow this guide to export your database:

http://codex.wordpress.org/Backing_Up_Your_Database

And, follow this guide to import it:

http://codex.wordpress.org/Restoring_Your_Database_From_Backup

As for upgrading MySQL, it's server-side software. Your hosting provider has to upgrade it, you can't. Keep working with their support department until you find someone who knows what they're talking about.

Start off with, "Hi, I understand that my server is running MySQL 4.1. I'd like that to be upgraded to MySQL 5, please."

Don't mention WordPress.

And, backup your database in case they screw something up.
stealthpaws
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Well..Hi again James. Again, thank you. Unfortunately GoDaddy does not update the MySQL. What they require is that you simply install a new one...and import the information from the old database to the new one, which is WHY I'm having to go through this to begin with. They simply don't "support" those functions. They'll host it, provide the programs..but that's it. This was what I was told initially when I began this process over a week ago, and again tonight when I called and got "Ivan" on the phone...who was about as helpful as a brick. Grrrr. I hate when I know I know nothing and I still know more than the "support" person I get on the phone. I have followed the instructions you linked me to, to the letter for the export. I ended up with an entirely different file...it is named the same as the database. I was getting either _DB_ or _server#address_. This one is _databasename_. The test DB locked me out entirely. I have no idea why, but I could not get into the DB, so I must now start again doing a test installation and trying to import. They are on different servers. Does this matter?
I am so frustrated.
James
Happiness Engineer
Posted 1 year ago #

Then, I guess I must be confused by what you're trying to do.

If you really do need to upgrade from MySQL 4 to MySQL 5 and they're refusing to do that for you, it's probably time to switch to a hosting provider that is actually willing to do their job. I don't know how they can expect you to modify server-level operating software. That would be like me telling you to upgrade my operating system.

I confused by the rest of it. Are you trying to export a database from one blog and import it to another?
Go Daddy
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Currently, our server configuration prevents databases versions from being able to be updated. However, as you mentioned, we do offer the option of exporting your database, creating a new one with the new version, then importing the old into the new. You can use PhpMyAdmin as @James suggested in the links prior or feel free to take a look at the links below for Go Daddy's specific steps:

http://community.godaddy.com/help/article/1487?isc=wpfor
http://community.godaddy.com/help/article/3387?isc=wpfor

One thing to note: if you change the user name/password, you'll need to update your wp-config.php file with the new information.

Alicia
GoDaddy.com
stealthpaws
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Thank you Alicia...actually, I've spoken with you I think. Not on this problem but back when I got hacked. You were very helpful.

Ok..so...Now that everyone understands that the information has to be exported then imported...I'm back to my issue of:

I can NOT get the information out of my WP (2.9.1) database (4.1) into a WP (3) database (5). I have been trying to get this to work on a test site, on which I have repeatedly had to install and uninstall the WP 3. The GoDaddy installation of WP includes the database and all the folders and files. I am assuming that importing an older database version would overwrite some of the files, but not all of them, and I believe this may be why I can't get the damn thing to work. Its either that or the fact that even though it's under the same parent absolute path, that because the test site is under a subdomain, it's reading something differently or something. The database is (99% sure of this) on a different server than the one I'm exporting from, so that too could be the issue. The databases are NOT ON THE HOSTING SERVERS. They have their own.

I simply want to get my WordPress updated without losing my content. It's not that much, but it's important to ME. My next question is ...can I import SOME of the content from the database? I mean, can I go into it and PICK what I want, and if so...is there somewhere that lists what all the tables are and what they contain? I need my posts, my comments, pictures, etc. I don't care about plug ins, themes..etc...all that would have to be upgraded anyway.

Ok..I hope this clarifies the problem. I am very familiar with the import/export process by now...but I have yet to achieve it successfully. I'm trying to figure out why.
stealthpaws
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

P.S. - I know that in myPHP you can pick & choose tables to export/import in general...my question is specific to WP...does it work in WordPress to do this?
stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Ok...last night's installation was finally uninstalled. I installed a new fresh copy a little while ago. I did the restore EXACTLY as instructed in the links above (from James). I got a message that it was successful. And I get a nice blank white page when I try to go to the site.
http://www.stealthpaws.net/wordpress

The information is IN there! I finally found a way to look at the information in the database. My stuff is finally there. So the question is now...how can I get to it? This HAS to be a function of a PHP breakdown somewhere. I'll be browsing to see if anyone else is having this problem.
James
Happiness Engineer
Posted 1 year ago #

Try resetting your plugins. If that resolves the issue, reactivate each one individually until you find the cause.

If that does not resolve the issue, access your server via FTP or SFTP, navigate to /wp-content/themes/ and rename everything except the /default/ directory. This will force the Default theme to activate and hopefully rule-out a theme-specific issue.
tuesdaydube
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Hi stealthpaws,
I came here today looking for answers to a similar problem. I'm hosted with GoDaddy and upgraded to 3.0 and was getting a blank white page when I tried to go to my blog. After seeing your issues I decided to call GD's customer service and let them know what all you've gone through and that I was in a similar situation. The tech suggested I uninstall the manual upgrade I downloaded from the wordpress site, and use GoDaddy's WordPress 3.0 upgrade through their site. She said it should be compatible on both ends. I haven't tested it myself yet, but I'm doing it now. I thought you might want to look into it and see if it solved your compatibility issues. Here's the link to the WP 3.0 instaltion page.

https://hostingconnection.godaddy.com/Application/WordPress.aspx

I'm not an expert by any means, so ignore me if the info isn't helpful.

Tuesday
stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Hi Tuesday...thank you for your kindness in posting. Unfortunately, my issue can not be resolved as you describe, as the version of the database which I have is not even compatible with V 2.9.2, much less V 3.x of WordPress. There is also a version "issue" with my site, as my WordPress thinks it IS 2.9.2, but GoDaddy says it's not...that it's 2.9.1. Whatever, I can't do an upgrade...it has to be an install with an import...which is where I'm currently stuck. Interesting though, in that they told you to UNinstall the manual upgrade and use theirs...as I was told that the "automatic" upgrade wasn't functioning, and it was suggested to me to manually install the upgrade on my other WP site. I haven't tried that one yet. At least it has a compatible data base.

Anyway, it was very nice of you to offer your assistance, and I wish you luck getting yours straightened out too!

To the most patient and kind James....I will attempt to find and alter the files as described...perhaps if I can JUST get into the admin, I can fix it. I wish I knew PHP. Funny...I have been changing my site around to get away from the OSCommerce shopping cart;...because it required too much hacking in PHP. lol. So...here I am. All that we resist...... Thank you for your continued support. I will see if I can get into this thing tonight.
stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

Wellllll....this is turning into quite the adventure saga. I've been mucking about in the database. :) I tried changing the plug-in folder names first via FTP. That didn't have any effect, so I screwed up my cahones and opened the data base.

I did the option value change as described. While I was in there though, I saw a couple of other things that I thought might be affecting it. Options for site URL, and "home" both pointed to my live site, which of course is from where I imported this information, so at least I know its in there. I changed it to match the folder address it currently resides in, with the appropriate URL change...but to no avail. I suppose I can go back and spend some more time in there...but I really don't know what I'm looking for. Maybe I'll just see it? lol.
stealthpaws42
Member
Posted 1 year ago #

I removed references to iBlog...which is the theme I have on my live site. It has a couple of plugins built in, so any reference to them I found, I disabled also.

I don't know what I should have put in to replace two of the items, but one was "stylesheet" & the other "template"(options 49 & 50). Both had "iblog" as the option_value. I don't know what the 2010 theme has there, so I left it blank, hoping it would revert to the default. I'm going to go back in via FTP and re-do the folder name changes again...maybe THAT will do something. It's picking up my favicon, oddly enough...but still shows nothing but blank white page. ~ sigh ~

I FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT SHOWS UP...I'M SO EXCITED.
I went back and changed the folders, then I looked in the "theme" to see how it was described. One of these two actions (or both) did the trick. :) YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now...to figure out the new theme. ARG! but I did get it going, so perhaps this will help someone else. I'm reasonably sure it was a theme/stylesheet issue...rather than the plug in, but we'll see.

I'll be doing a LOT of backing up. lol