Is it possible to convert to UTF-8?

[Plutuss]

I am using SMF 2 RC 4. Is it possible to convert it to UTF-8?

Thanks

[Oldiesmann]

Admin -> Maintenance -> Forum Maintenance -> Database
Click "Run Task Now" at the bottom of the page under "Convert the database and data to UTF-8".

Note that you will need to download the English UTF8 language files as well. Since you're running an older version of SMF, you can find them here: http://download.simplemachines.org/index.php?archive;version=57;start=200 (near the bottom of the page).

[Plutuss]

Mine doesn't have that option, but instead says: 'Convert HTML-entities to UTF-8 characters'

I did that, but the Russian letters still show up as ????????????

[Joker™]

What is the "Collation" of tables in the database?

Also you should upgrade to SMF 2.0.1 as it is more stable and has several security fixes as compared to RC4.