Need help solving a mistake & upgrading to 2.1.4

[awks]

So I do upload them all to the server, but then:
Run the upgrading tool.
Navigate with your browser to the upgrade.php file (it can be found in the directory where SMF is located) and run the upgrade, for example: www.yourdomain.com/forum/upgrade.php.

[Kindred]

Yes

[Doug Heffernan]

So I do upload them all to the server,

Not just in the server, but inside whatever folder/location you have used to install your smf forum and don't forget to select the overwrite option as well.

Good luck with the upgrade and let us know how it will go.

[awks]

Hmm 

I uploaded all the files (or so I thought) and then got this:

Settings.php was not found where it was expected: /xxxxx/xxxxxxx/public_html/ddaps.org/ddapschat/Packages/shout/Settings.php! Make sure you have uploaded ALL files from the upgrade package to your forum's root directory. The upgrader cannot continue.

I can see Settings.english.php on the server but not Settings.php so I really have no idea what or where I have screwed up!

If I search the upgrade file I downloaded for Settings.php, it only shows and finds "Setting.template" and "Setting.english"

I uploaded the files to the "Packages" folder on the server in a sub folder called "shout" Was that my mistake?

I was writing this as Doug Heffernan replied.

[awks]

After reading Doug,s post, I think I can see my mistake (I think) I put all the files in a sub folder, I didn't realise it needed to go in the original folder overwriting files (I can see the settings.php in the original installation) I was concerned if I started overwriting files that the forum would stop working while I was doing this.

So I guess I need to delete what I have done and upload the files to the original location using overwrite, is this correct and will the forum still function while I do that please?

[Doug Heffernan]

So I guess I need to delete what I have done and upload the files to the original location using overwrite, is this correct?

Yes, that's correct. You can remove the files that were uploaded in the worng location and then upload the files from the large 2.1.4. upgrade package to the location where your forum files are at and overwrite them.

will the forum still function while I do that please?

No, the forum will not function after the files have been overwritten. It will function after the upgrade has been finished. A couple of things to keep in mind, make sure that your php version is supported by Smf 2.1.x and make a backup of the database beforehand too.

Did you read the link posted above by Kindred? There you can read in details on how to perform a manual upgrade.

[awks]

Yes I have and thank you.

The php version is fine, I have backed up all files and the database. I have put the Forum into maintenance mode, and will now bite the bullet and start.

[Doug Heffernan]

Yes I have and thank you.

No problem.

Since this topic is becoming about support I am moving this to the appropriate board.

If you want to either hire someone for the upgrade or find someone to do it for free let us know and I will move the topic back to the Help wanted not for support board.

[awks]

I have been on this for 12 hours today and am losing the will to live. I have everything it seems uploaded, yet I cannot access the upgrade.php file. JustHosts just disconnected me after 2 1/2 hours of so called support where they ended saying "Please know that when I fetched this link https://www.*****/******/upgrade.php it is again showing a http 500 error.

They faffed about for 2 1/2 hours and disconnected me. I am reconnected to chat now, but I need some sleep!

Unbelievable, more faffing about for 30 mins, says it maybe a developer issue and needs to check, then disconnects me. You couldn't make it up with these clowns......

[Kindred]

A 500 error is a server side error and the host should be able to tell you what the trigger/explanation was...

I'd start thinking about a new host...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Link to forum?

[awks]

Link to forum?

https://www.ddaps.org/ddapschat/

[awks]

A 500 error is a server side error and the host should be able to tell you what the trigger/explanation was...

I'd start thinking about a new host...

Yep I get that, The thing is, yesterday they allowed access fine by changing some permissions (allegedly) but then that is when I discovered that the files were in the wrong directory, as I got the message that the settings.php file could not be found. 6 hours on, and the late shift of support was shocking!

Not sure what to do at the moment!

[awks]

I put the forum in maintenance mode before I started this, yet I get just a white page with no message about maintenance, I have just looked at the settings.php file and it was set to 0, I manually changed it to 1 yet I still do not get the maintenance message when trying to access the forum!

I am going to attempt another support chat session but it is starting to feel a bit like the "definition of insanity" 

[Kindred]

A full white screen indicates a server side failure of php...
(Yes, could be a 500 error,  you need to check the server logs)

[awks]

Didn't see the errors yesterday but now I can. It appears to be moaning about no matching directory index. It then goes on to mention it found lots of files but mentions at the end, server-generated directory index forbidden by Options directive.

I can also see "access compat:error - client denied by server configuration:/home3/xxxx/public_html/ddaps.org/wpcontent/updraft/aboutphp

I have no real idea what this all means, is there a way I can send a screenshot of the errors so that someone more knowledgeable would perhaps understand?

[Kindred]

You should have access to the server error log in cpanel,  yes... not sure where your host would put it, though.

[awks]

I did find them and was editing my post when you replied I think, you can see above your post what I found.

[awks]

UPDATE:

I am hopelessly at a loss as how to solve this. This below is a summary of the things they have now told me today:
Thank you for being on hold. I could see that the theme baskerville is causing the error. you need to fix the theme to make upgrade by contacting theme support or change the theme.

The website https://www.ddaps.org/ddapschat/ is the php scripted website, we support only wordpress website from our end. Since the website is the scripted website you need to fix this from developer.

I have checked the previous chats. I have changed php version and checked there is no issue with the php version the issue is from the script you need to check with the script.

They say the php scripts I have uploaded is the problem.  Please try to understand we support only WordPress website as it is not WordPress website we don't have support to it. We only fix wordpress websites since the website is php scripted you need to setup and fix from your end.

Well actually it's not something we do provide support as it is related to the configuration of a script, Design, Theme or Plugins.
We are server admins, We are used to managing the server
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I am going to need someone to jump in and help with this, if it is paid help, that should be fine, as I am just going round in circles here!

The theme baskerville is what the DDAPS website uses and the site is working fine. All I wanted to do was update the forum.

Any suggestions please?

[awks]

Yes I have and thank you.

If you want to either hire someone for the upgrade or find someone to do it for free let us know and I will move the topic back to the Help wanted not for support board.

I am going to need this moved as I need paid help with this as I have got nowhere please?