Slow forum, how best to upgrade

[Eagle Creek]

Hi guys!

Listen . My problem is that my forum (a 3.0.3 board, 1,6 GB dbase) is running slowly.. Sometimes I get database errors (but other forums at the same server just work fine, so it's really that database), an IP check takes ages and it isn't nice to browse on it sometimes cause I have to wait minutes before a pages is fully loaded. As you understand, I want to change this.

I was wondering.. I will upgrade to 3.5.4 soon but what's the best way.. Do I just have to run the upgrade script and everything will be fine?
In the past there are made many customanisations and everywhere I find rubble of it.. (eg: at the admin panel I have the option for vBindex but we aren't using that for years now).
So my plan was a clean install, and then only import the 'important' tables. Like users, posts, forums, pm's, rights, etc. etc..

Can I do that? And if I do; which table's do I have to backup?

Or is there maybe any way to 'clean out' my forum? I just want to have a clean installation, but I don't want to lose my members, posts and forums.

What's the best way to solve this problem?

[Colin F]

The easiest way would be to install vBulletin into a different database and use ImpEx to import all your data into the new installation.

[Eagle Creek]

But won't I import corrupt data then?

The purpose of this is to 'clean' out all the mess.

Thx for reply .

[Zachery]

No,... no corrupution will take place, however all USERID's THREADID's POSTID's etc, will be changed slightly.

And it would take some time to import such a large ammount of data.

[Eagle Creek]

USERID's THREADID's POSTID's

That's not a problem for me. I guess I can just use the 'recount'/'rebuild' function in the admin panel?
What will happen? All the deleted items (empty records) will be removed?

And it would take some time to import such a large ammount of data.

Of course, I will take the time for it when perform the upgrade .

[Zachery]

That's not a problem for me. I guess I can just use the 'recount'/'rebuild' function in the admin panel?
What will happen? All the deleted items (empty records) will be removed?


Of course, I will take the time for it when perform the upgrade .

It would probally take signifcantly less time to upgrade directly.

[Eagle Creek]

True.. But isn't this way 'cleaner'?

As I tolled in the startpost I want to clean out the mess. When I just upgrade, most things will still be in the database/files?

[Zachery]

Yes, but as I said, its signifcantly more work, it would be easier to uninstall your hacks and just upgrade.

[Eagle Creek]

How to uninstall? I don't even know what hacks are installed? Like the vBindex, the files are just deleted but the file edits in excisting files are still there.

How much time do I have to calculate when I clean it out on the 'more work-method'?

[Eagle Creek]

You there :-)?

[Colin F]

As you would be overwriting your files with the new files, this shouldn't be a problem.

[Eagle Creek]

Ok, and the 'junktables' and modifications?

Are you sure that I will have a clean forum afterwards? Cause when you say so I think I can safe a lot of time.

[Colin F]

You'll have some obsolete tables, but these should hopefully not interfere.

[Eagle Creek]

Ok, then I'll just upgrade.

And if it not will work, I know where to find you guys ( )

THX!