Installing a test board

[Telemacus]

I'm a registered user and run a couple of sites.
Now, before installing new versions, I'd like to install a test board to check that everything is gonna work as I expected. I remember Matt actually encouraged users to do it, but cant find his post.
What was the best way to do it? because remember I tried it once and ipb wouldn't let me, as it found a previous version.

[Brandon C]

I'm a registered user and run a couple of sites.

Now, before installing new versions, I'd like to install a test board to check that everything is gonna work as I expected. I remember Matt actually encouraged users to do it, but cant find his post.

What was the best way to do it? because remember I tried it once and ipb wouldn't let me, as it found a previous version.

You may install a test board on a private area of your server. One thing you must do though is disable registrations on your test board.

[Robert Wylde]

What I do is this.

I copied all the files in my forum folder.

So instead of forum I name it test.

I then change permission to 777 on the folder I need.

I then make a bakcup of the main db.

Restore it on a different name using the same login/password for it.

Then I edit conf_global.php to point to the right DB

Once this is done. I immediately log in ACP. I set the options for the test folder and upload folder and all and I turn the board off with a message that says. This is a test board. Please use www.xxxxxxx.xxx to log on the main board.

I do that to test all my mods.. skins.. and obviously upgrade. And only if it works find on the test board that I install on main board.

Cheers

[dennyg]

I also want to set up a test forum to try out skins, updates, etc. Being fairly new to all this, I have one concern and that is the original installation created a new database (ipb, I think) in addition to the one I created for it. Will the test installation overwrite this ipb database and cause problems or will it recognize it already exists and create one with some other name?

You may install a test board on a private area of your server.

What do you mean by a "private area"?

Thanks,

[Dark Phantom]

I also want to set up a test forum to try out skins, updates, etc. Being fairly new to all this, I have one concern and that is the original installation created a new database (ipb, I think) in addition to the one I created for it. Will the test installation overwrite this ipb database and cause problems or will it recognize it already exists and create one with some other name?

What do you mean by a "private area"?

Thanks,

You can either install it using a different prefix or use a different database thats your choice,

Private means unknown to the general public, password protect directory or random directory only you know about. Something anyone but you won't be able to find.

[dennyg]

OK, thanks. I'll give it a try.