Ok, I originally installed via auto installer, and learned this is bad. Had some upload issues and couldn't update smf. So I want to do it the right way, but without losing my current stuff. Can I back up the boards I have, do a clean install and then import my backup to my database? Any recommendations to doing this with minimal damage to the boards and threads I already have?
Edited to also ask if it's ok to use the same mysql database, or if I should delete that one and create a new one.
if you want to keep your data, dont touch the database.
https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/How_to_upload_a_fresh_set_of_files
Thank you, that's what I was looking for!