Software over 15 years has become a mess for me

[sefla]

Greetings.  I have been using the IPB forum software since 2008 and have gone through the software updates, upgrades, secured server changes, config changes etc to the point now it has become a mess.  Now when I go to open my forum area a page wants me to install Invision Community 4.  When I try to do so I get a 500 error.  I can't go any further.  My license is active.  What should be my next step?  

Also, I am unable to download the most recent software from the client area.  Thanks

Edited September 21, 2023 by sefla

[Adlago]

You should download a version with a converter included.
Before running an upgrade, switch your server's PHP version to 8.x.x
Of course, create a backup of the database and files beforehand in case something goes wrong.

[Joel R]

9 minutes ago, sefla said:

Greetings.  I have been using the IPB forum software since 2008 and have gone through the software updates, upgrades, secured server changes, config changes etc to the point now it has become a mess.  Now when I go to open my forum area a page wants me to install Invision Community 4.  When I try to do so I get a 500 error.  I can't go any further.  My license is active.  What should be my next step?  Thanks

Hi @sefla

1. What version are you running today? 3.x or 4.x? 

2. Are you looking for more hands-on server assistance, or are you capable of basic server troubleshooting?

There are some excellent third party providers (paid) such as @ASTRAPI or @Driven 2 Services who can help with upgrade, or you can consider Cloud.  

[sefla]

It appears I need a total reinstall of the software.  Looks like it was finally able to download.

[Miss_B]

2 hours ago, sefla said:

When I try to do so I get a 500 error.  I can't go any further.

This is almost always server related. Are there any errors logged in at the Server Error Log?

2 hours ago, sefla said:

It appears I need a total reinstall of the software

What version of Ipb do you have currently and what is the php version?

[sefla]

OK.  Looks like I got it worked out for now.

[Miss_B]

8 hours ago, sefla said:

OK.  Looks like I got it worked out for now.

Glad to see that you got it working. Do you mind telling us what caused the issue and how you solved it? It will help other users who might run into the same issue as well.

[sefla]

It took most of the day and a ton of trial and error fixes.

First main issue was I could not download the software from the client area.

After I made this post I was able to.  I reuploaded everything except the Uploads folder

Did many other things mainly with htaccess and SSL.

What I did absolutely think worked best was changing in the conf_global area 'installed=true' then did a site update.

A cumulation of all those things and so far so good.

[Marc]

Glad to hear you managed to get that working. Could I ask what issue you were having with the client area?