converting to SMF

[Sheepdog360]

I am converting a newley setup (only a few topics and posts) from Vanilla to SMF. I read that there are small issues and nuances with the converter.
my questions, is it feasable to:
1.delete all files on server of vanilla
2.uplaod all SMF files
3.isntall SMF on same DB as vanilla
4.verify its working, then remove all vanilla tables?

[margarett]

Hello.

I read that there are small issues and nuances with the converter

Yes... Conversions are tricky operations and most of the times it is necessary some "love" to make it happen. Nevertheless, we are committed in making you succeed

Now, about your "procedure", that's not exactly how to do it. We need Vanilla's files in place to perform the conversion.

Here's a short how-to:
1 - BACKUP. Yes, do not skip it. The converter only reads the origin setup but a backup can't hurt
2 - Install SMF in a separate folder. Eg, if your Vanilla is at www.yourforum.com, install SMF in www.yourforum.com/smf. You can install in the same database as Vanilla or in a separate one, as long as your MySQL user has access to both tables.
3 - Run the converter.
4 - Try SMF. Play with it, customize it if you want to, etc.
5 - DELETE every part of SMF: files and database tables (careful not to mess Vanilla )
6 - Install SMF again, in the same "smf" folder. You can repeat steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 as many times as you want to. Make sure you only move on when you are happy with the conversion.
7 - Run the converter again, this time for real.
8 - Delete (or move) all your Vanilla files.
9 - Move SMF files to where Vanilla was
10 - Run repair_settings to fix the URLs and paths. Delete the tool

And that's it. Now you have SMF running where Vanilla was, and you gave yourself time to test the conversion properly

[Sheepdog360]

Thanks