Updating to the new version of Wordpress

[BudgetDiva]

I am currently using wordpress and would like to update to the newest version. How do I go about this? Will updating wipeout all the posts that I've already made to my blog?

[redsox9]

The update only affects your program files and not your database content. The usual way is to simply upload and overwrite your older files but I would suggest doing a back-up just in case.

If you installed it via Fantastico, you can do it directly through that.

[BudgetDiva]

I just tried the update and I am getting this message. What do I do? Please help?

Install WordPress (2/3)


The installation can not be completed:

- You chose to install in the main directory of the domain budgetdiva.net, but there are conflicting filenames, therefore we can not proceed. Following filenames already exist in the main directory of the domain budgetdiva.net (path="/home/budgetdi/public_html/").You must manually remove these files before proceeding with auto-installation:
wp-admin
wp-content
wp-includes
index.php
license.txt
readme.html
wp-atom.php
wp-blog-header.php
wp-comments-post.php
wp-commentsrss2.php
wp-config-sample.php
wp-config.php
wp-feed.php
wp-links-opml.php
wp-login.php
wp-mail.php
wp-pass.php
wp-rdf.php
wp-register.php
wp-rss.php
wp-rss2.php
wp-settings.php
wp-trackback.php
xmlrpc.php

[lazynitwit]

If you used fantastico from the start, it should have an Update link next to the current install in the list, use this instead of attempting to install over it.

If you want to try a manual update:
Wordpress is relatively easy to update, you just upload the newer files over the older install and access the update script at wordpress/wp-admin/upgrade.php. They have a guide over at: http://codex.wordpress.org/Upgrading_WordPress

[BudgetDiva]

I don't remember if I ever used fantastico from the start. However, I login to my control panel click on the fantastico icon and select wordpress I fill in the required info that it asks and select upgrade, I am then give the error message stated above.

I read thru the info you sent (upgrading wordpress), but that seems a bit more complicated as opposed to just clicking on a link to upgrade.

Am I doing something wrong when using the fantastico?

[felgall]

That sounds like you didn't use Fantastico for the original install. If that is so then you can't use Fantastico to upgrade. Instead just upload all of the files for the new version except for what is in the content folder (so as to not overwrite your theme).

[skeezix]

I went through the same thing last month. It's the same as most other things in life (well, except maybe sex): The first time you do it, it is confusing and takes a long time and you probably do it wrong, so you do it over. Then after the 3rd or 4th time you start to realize what's going on and you eventually get it right. After that, you can do it in just a few minutes.

The error message you received is correct. Basically. What I did was:

1. Download the latest WP version from the WP site and unzipped the files to a folder I named 'newWP' on my computer. That left me with the 3 wp folders and a bunch of updated wp php files.

2. Used WPAdmin aka 'Dashboard' to deactiate ALL activated plugins, if any.

3. I used the BH legacy file manager (because the "new and improved" file manager is not ready for the bigtime IMO) to delete every single file and folder in my existing WP installation folder EXCEPT:

I did NOT delete wp-config.php and I did NOT delete the wp-content folder. wp-config.php has valuable info in it and wp-content folder has my theme and some uploaded files and images in it that I wanted to keep. If you are using an unmodified theme and if you haven't yet uploaded any pictures or other files into your /upload folder, you can blow away /wp-content as well. If you're not sure, then download the entire wp-content folder to your computer for a backup from which you can later restore.

4. Uploaded wp-admin and wp-includes folders, and all the other files except wp-config.php. Note: You probably won't even have a wp-config.php file in your folder.

5. Then I opened a browser window (i.e. started internet explorer) and typed this into the address window:

http://<your>/<installfolder>/wp-admin/upgrade.php and clicked Go. In my case, this looked like http://www.springvalleyhoa.org/wp-admin/upgrade.php.

6. I crossed my fingers, followed the instructions, and received a mission-accomplished message for my efforts.

7. I re-enabled the plugins I had disabled and I was up and running.


Like Steve said, the actual data of your blog (the posts, comments, etc.) is stored in the MySQL database, and upgrading WP does not affect that data. It does change some things in the database but your data will be intact.

Hope that does it. I don't think I left anything out but at my age whothehell knows. If you have more problems, we're here to help.