clean v8 setup with products & sections from v7

[davie_ne1]

hi all

I am using v7 business at the moment and I want to upgrade the site v8 beta (on a test server)

When I try using the site upgrader I get lots of error due a lot of perl changes on my original v7 site.

What the best way on a new v8 install to just update all my products sections etc.

i.e. I dont want to try and bring the custom theme across just the products and sections.

I feel that I would be better of with a clean v8 site and then I can just design a new theme again with all the new v8 features in it.

david

[pinbrook]

There are lots of choices-

if you don't want the order detail you could export a hierarcical spreadsheet with a view to import just the product info to v8, you would then install V8 clean rather than upgrade from v7

or change your v7 theme to a clean one, copy the perl scripts from the original folder, and then upgrade from 7 to 8

others may have more suggestions

[RuralWeb]

I have found that the best way is to apply a clean theme to the current site in V7 and then import the snapshot or upgrade to V8.

[zmagyar]

You can also install a clean v8 and try dropping your v7 DBs (ActinicCatalog.mdb and SimpleShipping.mdb) to your site (and shipping) folder. The DB will be upgraded with all the content and orders but it will use the default v8 design. Actinic doesn't support this approach officially but it should work IMO.

[davie_ne1]

tried both methods

1. Apply a clean layout to my version 7 theme, then copying the original perl scripts back into my v7 folder. I then backed the site up and loaded it into v8 which upgraded the site
2. copy the actinic databases across

both methods worked but i found that just copying the databases across was easier and produced a cleaner v8 site.

I am just uploading the new v8 site now to a test site that i have. Noticed that i keep getting a ftp timout error, strange - never had this when I load a v7 site onto this site

As soon as i click retry it continues uploading.

I changed the ftp setting to "use passive FTP" and that seemed to get rid of the problem

[davie_ne1]

after copying the database across I get a coding error when i check the site

it says that this line

<option value="<Actinic:Variable Name="ChoiceSelectedValue"/>"><Actinic:Variable Name="ChoiceDisplayLabel"/></option>

is used out of context 12 times !!!

if I delete the line the coding errors goes away but the search does not work

any ideas

[davie_ne1]

update:

The error is caused by the customvar thats I had created and were set to searchable.

I just removed these customsvar from the search page to resolve the error.

V8 must handle customvar different to v7 hence the error.

[los_design]

I would not advise using the copy database method across as when you do, within the product you loose the properties and layout tabs from your options (on our tests at any rate )

Not good, especially when you have different layouts per section (compact, 1 item per page etc)

This also occurs when we apply a clean layout to V7 export then import into V8

Just working on the spreadsheet now to see if we can 'fiddle' a way of just getting the section and products in.

Would have thought this bridge would have been crossed by the developers prior to release, maybe in the maintenance version? (hint hint)

Regards
Daren

[FlashGordon]

Use Hierarchacial File

I exported from v7 to an hierarchical file.
Installed v8 clean (not an upgrade).
Set to he theme and colour scheme I intend to use as a bases development.
Imported the hierarcical file.

At first I used the Curves theme but some errors in this theme (Actinic fixing).
Has worked fine with the Clothes theme with no errors. However, I do have a problem with my Home Page - see other thread if you have any ideas to help me.

Regards Gordon

[los_design]

Using this method did you have any customvars set up? Could you still see the layout/properties tab on each product?

I have tried several ways now, copy the .mdb, upgrade, clean install using a clean theme, only one left is to remove all edits (such as customvar etc) and try that.

Otherwise I will need to get my hands dirty with excel ( )

The design is not an issue, it is that the client has over 10k items and sections are split (as mentioned above) so the two missing tabs are vital.

Unless someone else has a solution?

Regards
Daren

[los_design]

Hi Guys

Thus far it does infact look like the customvars are causing my layout/properties tabs to disappear in the product design view.

I have cleaned out one section, just core act code nothing added (or taken away) and then exported via snapshot from V7 then into V8 and all was present.

What a pain in the ****, this means that I have to do this throughout the catalogue. Any suggestions forth coming guys?

Regards
Daren

[cdicken]

Hi Daren

The 'database drop' method is no longer recommended as a solution for upgrading a database to v8 as it does lose all the customvars. You do need to go through a site upgrade in order to upgrade all your data correctly.

If you are not worried about retaining your v7 design, here is what I would suggest:

1) Change your v7 site to a standard v7 theme (such as a clean layout)
2) Take a snapshot
3) Import that snapshot into v8

Otherwise, you just need to go through the site upgrader with your customised v7 site. If you get any errors or difficulties, let our support team know via http://www.actinic.co.uk/support/register.htm and they can help you sort the problems with the upgrade.

The first maintenance release is a few weeks away - and it will feature some improvements to the area of upgrading. It might be worth waiting until then to upgrade.

[los_design]

Cheers Chris

waiting for the upgrades (told by sales my dev license is to be retired and the new copies will be with me early september)

My main concern is that I am trying to find a way to import the products and sections only, no design work or customvar (I have my reasons ) and keep hitting the above issues.

Changed the design to clean layout as well, tried the upgrade yesterday but could not 'evaluate' as this was greyed out, so all in all quite a frustrating day.

Worked within excel to strip out and refine but errors aplenty there too, it appears the V8 does not like his older brother

As stated, the db has over 19k items now (and growing but this has been put on hold until solved) so a solution for this client is critical

Regards
Daren

[cdicken]

Try a hierarchical export from v7 and import it in to v8.

[los_design]

Tried that several times yesterday Chris (with custom layout, clean layout and an exact same layout from V7 to V8 'Best Seller')

Keep hitting the same problem that leads to uninstall/install roundabout

The two crucial tabs are gone from the product screen (layout/properties)

D'oh