Making a test forum

[aohb]

I have just upgraded to 1.1.9, but would like to have a play around with RC2 while it is still in Beta stage, then upgrade when it's finally released.
I don't want to touch my proper forum, on 1.1.9, as that's working fine. Though I'd like to familiarise myself with RC2 and install some Mods etc before the transfer.

Just wondering what is the best way to go about it: if I create another database within the same website as my other forum, would that be easier? My forum is now http://myforum.co.uk/board, can I just create a testsite folder and have it as http://myforum.co.uk/testsite?
Can I use a converter or the backup from my proper forum to load all my members and their posts on it? What happens when I'd finally do the swap? Just upgrade the proper forum to RC2?

Thanks! 

[Antechinus]

Basically you can do that. The folders are no problem. The only point is that if you want to import your current data (members, posts, etc) then you would need to convert that database to RC1 first.

So, the way to do it would be to make a test installation of 1.1.9 in a folder, then import a copy of your database, then upgrade the test site to RC1.    

[aohb]

OK thanks  So I make an exact copy of my proper forum on the test site, using 1.1.9, transfer my members etc, then upgrade that to RC2?

[Antechinus]

Nope. Just do a vanilla installation of 1.1.9 (no mods or anything) and import the db, then upgrade, then start playing with toys n stuff.

[Antechinus]

Well the paths are important. I should have mentioned that.

[aohb]

Thanks very much, I'll have a play with it and see how it goes 

[aohb]

Having some problems installing the 1.1.9 fresh install in my testforum folder, it keeps coming up with: Unable to connect to FTP server with this combination of details. 530 Login incorrect.

What am I doing wrong?

[aohb]

I've chmodded all the relevant files.

[aohb]

I have created a new database for the test forum. I also created a username and password I created a folder for it on my server. It's in the same directory as my live forum, just one is called 'board' and the other 'testforum'. I've edited the settings in the Settings.php and Seetings_bak.php files and all relevant files are at 777. It won't install it as it says my FTP details are incorrect.

[aohb]

I've just tried 755 and it's not working either.

The path to my live forum is: http://angelsonhorseback.co.uk/board and the test one is going to be: http://angelsonhorseback.co.uk/testforum.

I didn't get the FTP settings from my host last time. I configured my live forum myself.

[aohb]

I tried 777 before, but no joy...

[aohb]

I just don't understand why it's saying my log in details are incorrect. What details do I need? The database user name and password? Tried that, nothing. Tried my normal FTP details for logging onto my whole domain, no joy. Tried the ones for my live site, no joy.

[aohb]

When I try the log in details I use to get access to all files on my domain, I get this error message: Unable to connect to FTP server with this combination of details. 550 /vhosts/angelsonhorseback.co.uk/httpdocs/testforum: No such file or directory - but I have created the folder and uploaded all the SMF files!

Do you mean chmod every single file to 777, not just the ones mentioned in the manual? I've tried refreshing it to see if it's updated the permissions, but it just refreshes the page and nothing changes. I've chmodded all relevant files so not sure what the problem is.

[aohb]

OK, I changed every single file and folder to 777 and it's working now - phew! Thanks!

Now, I just need to import my backup.... How do I do that? So I can get all my old info on the test forum.

[aohb]

Fantastic, that worked brilliantly, thanks!

Now gotta hope SMF 2 doesn't give me anymore problems 

[aohb]

Hmm... I'm installing RC1 and it's giving me an error:


The upgrader found some old or outdated language files, for the forum default language, english.

Please make certain you uploaded the new versions of all the files included in the package, even the theme and language files for the default theme.
   [SKIP] [Try English]

Click here to try again.

Any ideas why???

[aohb]

No, never touched anything to do with the languages. I only want English anyway. I've chmodded all files to 777 and reuploaded the default theme, but it's still giving me an error.

[aohb]

Just tried deleting the languages folder and re-uploading, but same error

[aohb]

Please, has anyone got any ideas? I'm getting fed up now 

[Antechinus]

aohb, just ignore those. I think it's a bug in the upgrade script. Hit the Skip option and proceed with the upgrade. If you need to update languages files you can do it after upgrading. I've done it this way several times.