Help with huge upgrade

[Rondamb]

I have just started as the Publications Ministry Assistant at our church and our website is currently through CMS, but I have no idea which version.  I know it hasn't been updated in at least 2 years, and I am trying to get everything current.  I have downloaded the latest upgrade and totally backed up my website, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice to do this upgrade.  Would it be better to totally delete everything we have and install the newest version and then upload the website back up from FrontPage?  Any suggestions?

Ronda

[jmcgin51]

whew - you may have quite a job in front of you, depending on how much customization had been done to your site.  If it was basically a stock install, without many 3rd-party modules, etc, your upgrade should be relatively painless.  Otherwise you may even find that some of the 3rd-party modules your current site uses are no longer compatible because the developer has dropped support, etc.

If you'd like some more specific advice, send me a pm with your site URL and a temporary admin username/password.  I'd be happy to take a quick look for you.

[Dr.CSS]

Backing up your site involves more than just the folders/files you also need to backup the Database as it holds all the actual "content" and templates and style sheets, etc., best bet would be to back it all up and do an install on your PC then run upgrade on that first to make sure it doesn't hose it...

[Wishbone]

...best bet would be to back it all up and do an install on your PC then run upgrade on that first to make sure it doesn't hose it...

I think it would be better to do a test upgrade on a side folder on your hosting account so that it would be apples to apples. Your PC is a very different environment than your hosting account.

[Dr.CSS]

Yes actually that may be best...

[Rondamb]

This is the first time I have ever used any type of CMS, so I am totally lost.  I downloaded the latest version and have unzipped it.  I am opening the readme file and the update file, but I am having a hard time finding what it is telling me to do.  I hate to be stupid, but I really don't understand how to do this upgrade.  Is there a place to go with simple step by step directions?  I access the admin page on the internet and have nothing of the CMS installed on our actual network or on my computer.  The church paid to have the website built several years ago and we are now trying to change it, but the company that built it will not return any phone calls or emails with any questions. 

[Dr.CSS]

I would be glad to help...

http://multiintech.com/contact.html  has my phone number, or use the email link here on the left...