We have been using DNN for 3 years but haven't upgraded.  O dear. Is there info on the DNN site to explain how to upgrade from an old version to the recent version.  Do we have to back up files or pages or something?  We don't have a clue how to do this. Do we need to hire someone to help?

Thanks....

Christine and Niall

Hello!
It is not difficult to upgrade but you need to consider some thingsbefore you upgrade.

1. Is there a special module, which may stop operating during an upgrade? Web shops, menus, custom-built modules and critical systems.
2. Second can this page be offline a few hours during the upgrade?
3. Do you have access to files and database? So you can do backup?

When you know you can upgrade, make backups of your database and files. Also makes a backup of the web.config file and screenshot of FCK editor. You can also (if you're not familiar with the website) makes some screenshots of entire pages.

In theory you should be fine to upgrade all the way to 6.0.2 but I wouldnot bet on it.

Instead, you should upgrade to these steps. It is a little longer butworks well.

4.9.5 to 5.1.4
5.1.4 to 5.2.0
5.2.0 to 5.4.4
5.4.4 to 5.5.1
5.5.1 to 5.6.0
5.6.0 to 5.6.1
5.6.1 to 6.0.2 (<<has not tested this)


Update process

1. Upload the upgrade file.
2. Unzip the file in the root
3. Put write and read rights on the root folder and any sub foldersagain.
4. Go to website and see the upgrade.
5. Start over at step 1 with the next file

If you are lucky it is possible to upgrade without problems. But even if you get stuck, you can often find a solution.

Good Luck

If you are unable to backup your database or files, you should not do this. It is the condition for you to go back to the previous version. But you probably have access to files and database in some way. Check it with your hosting company. Possibly you have an administrative interface that you can backup from. For example dotnetpanel.

The most common is probably that the skin is not suited for DNN 6 and could stop working. Check with the manufacturers of the skin. You'll find them mostly through snowcovered.com. If you have not installed extra modules the update probably will be fine.

Otherwise it could go wrong. But it usually possible to solve all the problems if you take it easy. (Do not panic if nothing works and you have to scroll to read the error message).Read the error message carefully and search on Google. There are always more people who had the same problem. Can you not solve it reset back to the older version.

Start by getting access to files and database and proceed from there