Question Upgrade from 1.6.1 to 1.6.3 failed

I run Joomla 1.5.23 with Kunena 1.6.1 on several sites.

Yesterday I tried to upgrade to 1.6.3. I went ok on most site, but one sited failed due to an old PHP version.
This is what it showed during upgrade:


Of course I should have checked this before I upgraded, and I can probably find a backup, but the result is now, that my Forum is "Down for maintenance" when I try to access it in the frontend.

This is a bit strange, because I checked the DB, and jos_kunena_config-board_offline = 0, meaning the board should be online!

When trying to enter The Kunena Control Panel in the backend, it gives me this:


I am still waiting for a newer version of PHP to be installed, and then I will see what happens before I cry for help in here.

My point at this stage is: Apparently the upgrader checks versions etc. but should this be done BEFORE doing any upgrade? The information about too old PHP is a bit late, when the upgrade apparently has started. I would expect a rejection for the upgrade, and then I could continue using Kunena 1.6.1.

The technical requirements for any software product are usually specified in a document that accompanies the software product. It's a fact that most people (and I have been known to be in that category) do not read the relased notes/technical requirements before they install or upgrade computer software. The release notes for K 1.6.3 refer to the technical requirements that people need in order to install that software.

Although the Kunena installer detects whether your site meets the minimum technical requirements, it's unfortunate that the installer does not more "elegantly" exit without restoring your forum back to live operation. Turning your forum back on again is a simple process; it's the third setting from the top of your K 1.6 configuration settings:

Forum Configuration » General » Basic Settings » Forum Offline = No

Thanks for the lesson about requirements I know; I agree; it's all my fault etc...
Most of my sites are hosted elsewhere where the requirements are more than met - but this one; which is on a corporate server where I work, does not!
Done is done, and this is what I have - a problem...

I know the setting about online/offline. But as I said, I don't even get there. When attemting to enter my control panel for kunena in the backend, I get the second screenie in my last post.
This is also why I gave the information about jos_kunena_config-board_offline = 0, which I believe is equivalent to Forum Configuration » General » Basic Settings » Forum Offline = No.

So, unfortunately I am still stuck.
Luckily the forum isn't used much these days. Actualy I don't think anybody noticed it's down, but it is bl.... annoying isn't it...

Like I said, I think I will wait for a more recent version of PHP to be installed on the server, and then see how it reacts.
Unless you have another idea... of course!
Btw, it still says 1.6.1 in the jos_kunena_version table.

Just to be sure not to sound rude... I do appreciate your reply - it just didn't get me any further.
I will keep you posted about what happens when the new PHP gets installed - hopefully tomorrow. If not, then comes Easter, and I am going on holiday to Venice with my family for a week. (can't wait).
But after Easter then ...

Thanks for your reply. I must confess that I was a little surprised that you mentioned that you had been running K 1.6.1 before you attempted to upgrade to K 1.6.3 because I was unaware that the PHP requirements had significantly changed between each of these sub-version releases. If it was that case, however, that you were able to run K 1.6.1 with PHP 5.1.6 installed then, theoretically at least, it should be possible to re-install K 1.6.1 again and you should not lose anything. Have you tried to do that? That's what I would do in your situation.

I thought of that too, but this time I actualy took my time and read the requirements - for 1.6.1. This one also requires PHP 5.2.3.

I think the reason I got away with it in the first place that the site was installed and built on another server (with PHP 5.2.3+) and then moved to the corporate server.
So, there was no install - or upgrade script that checked the version at any time.
Only on attempt to upgrade I got into trouble.

So, I dont think that reinstalling 1.6.1 will work either. And if I really have to reinstall (and loose everything!) Then I will probably go straight for 1.6.3. After having upp'ed PHP of course!

Still an interesting case, I think. What will happen when I "confront" it with PHP 5.2.3? Will it simply upgrade itself and the run 1.6.3? I doubt it. But maybe I can run the 1.6.3 upgrade script with success.
I will keep you posted.