Trouble upgrading and/or PHP issues

[Doug Heffernan]

sounds like you may need to load fresh files and delete all hooks at this point. or upgrade to SMF 2.1

What Illori said.

[slnielsen]

Thx.

Just copy a fresh set of files to the folder?
Deleting hooks done by repair_settings.php?

[Doug Heffernan]

Thx.

Just copy a fresh set of files to the folder?
Deleting hooks done by repair_settings.php?

Yes, that is correct. Do not upload the upgrade files though when doing the refresh as having them in your forum root poses a security risk.

[slnielsen]

I'm in the deep here.
Tried installing a backup from last week, still acting like crazy.
Like you saw, when not registered, the page seems fine. Opening it in a private browser does the same thing.
I'll try to list my attempts.
Backup from 2022-09-15 did not change much. Same issue.
Backup from 2022-09-19 Same issue.

Tried uploading the upgrade package to the folder, and overwrite the existing. Then repair_settings did not work.
Trying to install a fresh forum re-using the database also screwed things up.
Could I be having some database issues?

Wouldn't it be possible to do a fresh install and re-use the database?
Or would I need to make a copy of it, and rename it?


I am on the verge of trying something other than SMF, but our forum is quite old, 15 year actually. I would hate to loose the history.
I migrated it from a SMF 1.1.2 version in 2017. Now it just causes me tremendous problems.

[Doug Heffernan]

Trying to install a fresh forum re-using the database also screwed things up.

Can you please tell us how did you try this and how were things screwed up?

Looking at the error message in the screenshot that you posted, it seems to be caused by a mod.

If you refreshed all your forum files and disabled all the hooks should uninstall all your mods. When you did this, did you get the same error again, the one about the thank you mod, or did you get other/different errors?

I changed the status to your topic as not solved as well, to give it more attention.

[slnielsen]

I restored a backup, that seems to work 95% as long as not logged in.

I then downloaded the upgrade package, unzipped it locally
Ran repair_settings and unhooked everything.
Using FileZilla I removed the write protection on the installer files.
Copied all upgrade files and folders to my server, in the same folder as the forum is installed.
Prompted "overwrite all files" I chose yes.
Ran the installer and got various errors. Chose to continue, but the forum seemed unreachable, multiple errors.

I could really use a hand here, if anyone has half an hour to have a private teams meeting or alike, to explain me what I am doing wrong here.

[Kindred]

Why are you running the installer or upgrade files? Don't.

Copy the clean set of files only.

[slnielsen]

That may be the first of my many mistakes. I'll try right away, thx

[slnielsen]

This is the files in the smf_2-0-19 install file.
When all are copied, should the repair_settings be run? Index.php just start the installation.

[slnielsen]

Tried fumbling around myself.
I copied the yellow marked files to my forum folder.
Ran repair_settings and added the database name and PW.
Same issue.

[Doug Heffernan]

This is the files in the smf_2-0-19 install file.

For refreshing your forum files, itt is better to use the files from the large upgrade file and not the ones from the install package. Otherwise your Settings.php file will be overwritten.

I copied the yellow marked files to my forum folder.
Ran repair_settings and added the database name and PW.
Same issue.

It is a bit unclear to me what you are doing. All you have to do, as mentioned numerous times previously, is to overwrite your forum files with those from the large 2.0.19 upgrade paqckage, minus the upgrade files and disable all the hooks using the repair_settings.php file.

Whereas you are doing the complete opposite, using the install package, recreating the Settings.php file, running the upgrader etc etc.

[slnielsen]

IT WORKS!

I clearly got every thing screwed up! I have downloaded so many copies of the different packages over the last days, so honestly I was starting to loose the oversight.

Thanks a lot for your patience. Now to make a fresh back up, and open up a beer. 

[Doug Heffernan]

IT WORKS!

I clearly got every thing screwed up! I have downloaded so many copies of the different packages over the last days, so honestly I was starting to loose the oversight.

Thanks a lot for your patience. Now to make a fresh back up, and open up a beer. 

Whew Glad to see that everything is fine now. I will be marking this as solved.

[Steve]

And pass the beer ...