I have a forum that was installed a long time ago (2-3 years). Happily running older versions of SMF and TP (SMF 1.1RC3 and TP v0.9.5), it has functioned perfectly up until yesterday, when (ironically) I attempted to upgrade SMF for "enhanced security." That attempt failed. I couldn't get the upgrade to work, and the forum was dead in the water, until I pieced it back together, a painstaking process (that I probably botched as well, sigh) and that apparently broke at least a couple of small things.
Now, the forum is working again, but suddenly, I'm getting spammed (never had been previously), and I see errors in the error logs (I see lots of the same errors occurring with failed registrations - which look like spambots knocking on the door -- never saw that before, either). More to the point, I suspect I have bits and pieces of SMF and or TP scattered across my website like a fart in the wind. I *think* it's a mess. But since I don't know what a tidy, proper installation looks like, I can't tell how much of a mess.
I'm sure I will be admonished that I should reinstall from scratch, and upgrade to the newest versions of everything. I will. But not just yet (for reasons too complicated to go into here).
For the record, I'd like to do both, but before I do that, I feel like I need to get things more under control, thus my question/request....
I'd like to know what this stuff is supposed to look like if/when I finally get it right, with everything in its place, and no extra piles of leftover/orphaned crap left over where it doesn't need to be.
I don't recall all the details, but when I first installed SMF and TP (almost 3 years ago now, the memory is fuzzy), I may have made several clumsy attempts at it before it started working (and once it did start working, I didn't want to mess with anything, whether the bits were used or not, for fear it would all come crashing down). So right now, I've got bits of at least 2 (maybe more) attempts at installation and upgrades, and I would not be surprised if some of what's there doesn't need to be (and in fact might be messing things up).
In short I'd like a "snapshot" or a "site map" for what the installed files should look like after I have SMF and TP and my theme correctly installed.
That way, if I see crap that doesn't need to be there, I can safely get rid of it (I assume). Without knowing what a proper installation looks like, it's hard to know when to stop flailing.
I've looked through the documentation and searched the forum, but have not come across any such "snapshot" of what a correct installation should look like. Is there any?
Thanks.
I like the "In short version". ;)
The only thing like you describe is stickied in this board:
http://www.tinyportal.net/index.php/topic,27943.0.html
It applies to TinyPortal upgrade only. For SMF you will need to check with them.
Useful, thanks. Actually, it would have been even more useful if I had had it 36 hours ago, before I dove in and messed with things. Oh, well, still good to know.
As long as I have your attention, one (OK, two) basic, dumb user questions if I may...
AFAIK, my database is fine (at least I have no reason to think otherwise). What's slightly banged up, and probably cluttered with superfluous gunk (and in need of upgrades), are my installations of SMF and TP (and perhaps the Amber theme). As I understand it, the database (which contains all the forum data - users, messages, and a bazillion little settings) is structurally separate from the other components (SMF, TP & theme). As long as I tiptoe around the database and don't touch it, I can wade in and blow away every last bit of SMF, TP and the theme in use, clean out every messy corner, and then proceed to do a squeaky clean, new installation of more recent versions of SMF (probably 1.1.8 ) and TP (probably 0.9.8 ) and the Amber theme (whatever the latest one is). As long as I can correctly point SMF at the existing database (proper user name and ID, etc.), then everything should start up and work, with all the existing "history" of the forum intact. The only thing lost will be my time - everything else would be preserved in the database.
Right?
Now, assuming that's correct....if I go that route, but I want to preserve the settings I've got for TP (block layout, etc.), is there a single, discoverable file that I would want to preserve before blowing away everything else? I assume that all the customized TP values are held in something like TP_MysterySettings.php (a made up file name). If I stash that file, them wipe out all the SMF, TP and theme files, reinstall those all fresh, and then overwrite the default TP_MysterySettings.php file with the one I've stashed, then all my blocks and other TP settings would be preserved.
Yes? (If yes, what's that file and where does it live?)
FWIW, if/when I go through this exercise, I will write up an illustrated "snapshot" of what a proper, "virgin" installation should look like, and will upload it here (for the poor schlubbs who go down this road after me).
Thanks again.
For the registration issue you should take a look at some of the reg mods on SMF, 'reCAPTCHA for SMF' is my personal fav for securing my reg page.
For all the other stuff;
The short answer is yes... sort of. :)
Maybe you should start off with a 'test' forum, so take a look here:
The safe way to Clone or Upgrade your Livesite (http://docs.tinyportal.co.uk/index.php/topic,143.html)
Going through that exercise will answer most of your questions and the Docs here and on SMF will take care of the rest. ;)
QuoteAs long as I tiptoe around the database and don't touch it, I can wade in and blow away every last bit of SMF, TP and the theme in use, clean out every messy corner, and then proceed to do a squeaky clean, new installation of more recent versions of SMF (probably 1.1.8 ) and TP (probably 0.9.8 ) and the Amber theme (whatever the latest one is).
How can you not touch the database, but at the same time "blow away" things that you don't want? You either touch it or you don't. :)
Like Ken said, do a clone of your site. Don't touch the database at all. Run the upgrade to SMF and then install the version of TP.
Quotebut I want to preserve the settings I've got for TP (block layout, etc.), is there a single, discoverable file that I would want to preserve before blowing away everything else?
No. The settings for TP are in the database.
Overall, are you asking what the file tree should look like? It's very likely that your files are in the right places. If they weren't, you wouldn't be able to run your site at all.
Note that the db actually contain references to attachments and TP images/uploads. Just removing every file on site will leave those in a non-working state.
The easiest solution: upload a upgrade of SMF, run it and then apply TP package afterwards. Attachments as mentioned will be safe, SMF files will be originals again and TP will just find its files/db tables once more. Nothing should then be lost.