DNN Upgrade

[RFH Reseller: Glynn]

Does anyone know of an easy way of upgrading from DNN 3.1.x to DNN v4.x? Apart from the .NET version issues, what about the DB? Web config, added modules? My current installation has suddenly decided to 'stop working' for some reason unknown to me or Warren so am now looking at doing the upgrade. The problem is the major differences and I know about as much about .NET as I do about the chemical analysis of camel dung!
Any suggestions very gratefully received!

[Tanzy]

OK I will try to do this step by step.

1. Make a complete backup of your site & SQL Database via RFH Backup facility
2. Rename the web.config file to web.config.31 (this is so that we can take the machineKey information after we update). Note without this key you will not be able to log in
3. Upload DNN4.02 over the top of your current DNN version
4. edit the release.config file contained at the root of the installation. Update the SiteSqlServer key to be the correct SQL Server connection for your database
5. Update the machineKey so that the values are the same as you had in your old config file (the one that we renamed web.config.31) NOTE: if you don't do this then you will not be able to log in
6. In HELM set your website to use .Net 2
7. rename the release.config file to web.config
8. Browse to your website via a web browser, the installation should occure
9. At the bottom of the installation you should see a link to your portal, click this and everything should be OK

NOTE: If after step 9 you get a message Nothing to install at this time or something similar (I can't remember the exact message) do the following

1. Edit your web.config file
2. In the <appSettings> section of the config file add the following key
3. <add key="InstallationDate" value="1/17/2006" />
4. Make sure that the value is a date before the date you installed the new version.
5. Navigate to the root of your site again, hopefully, everything shoudl be fine now.

If you have any problems drop me a PM and I can try to help you more, what is the error that you are getting for your site at the moment. It may be possible to get it back up and running again. If you want I can try to take a look.

[Tanzy]

what about the DB?

This gets updated by DNN during the install process I have described above

Web config

You need to make sure that you follow the info I have provided about the config file

, added modules?

Most should be OK, some may have issues however. This is due to the new security that is in .Net 2 rarther than DNN. (Make sure that you use DNN 4.0.2 as you should have less issues.

My current installation has suddenly decided to 'stop working' for some reason unknown to me or Warren so am now looking at doing the upgrade.

If you want I can help Warren to try to get your current version working again. Warren knows how to contact me, and I have helped in this area before.

[RFH Reseller: Glynn]

Now how did I know it would be Tanzy that came up with the solution? LOL.
I'll PM you the problem and hold off on upgrading in case you can get it working or spot what has stopped it working.
Cheers for the help

[Tanzy]

I try to help where I can.

I have sent you a PM with some questions and my MSN from looking at the site it looks like just that module so it may be something simple to get sorted.