How can I upgrade my site from 6.4.4 UBB threads to 7.2 UBB threads?

Make sure you have member area access.
Upgrade your current install to 6.5.5
Import the data into a new 7.2.2 install.

That's the upgrade path you are looking to.

I have an upgrade/migration guide from UBB.T6.5.x to UBB.Threads7 available here

I have checked the version 6.5.5, there is list of changed files for upgradation from 5.1.2b5 to 6.3.1 only. I need instruction for 6.4.4 to 6.5.5

I would suggest uploading all files - as there are big changes to 7.2.x and you have to import, the only essential item is to get the database updated to 6.5.5 which will then allow you to import into 7.2.x

BTW - you can then worry about any customisation and work until you have 7.2.x up and running.

Just load up the UPGRADING.html file in the 6.5.5 zip. That will give you instructions to follow. Once you reach version 6.4 I believe then it's a matter of running the upgrade.php script to get you to 6.5.5.

Thanks Rick. Hopefully your directions do the trick.

My forums are located at:
http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php

When the upgrade is complete will my forums look the same? If not what kind of challenges can I expect to get things looking and feeling the same.

Will the upgrade be transparent to my users? If not what kind of changes will I have to communicate to our users?

Once you have upgraded, then you will need to adjust items such as your header & footer and any modifications to the default stylesheet.

Of course there is nothing to stop you from setting up a temporary forum to customise these items, but it cannot run as a live forum unless you have a licence for it - but a temporary test one is fine (AFAIK)

I think as far as your users are concerned, I would tell them about new features that you might take advantage of such as the gallery.

So the current headers and footers won't stay as is?

you will need to copy them over to the 7.2.2. version

Two questions:
1. So will the upgrade wipe out my current header and footer markup at http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php where a lot of the forums have their own unique headers?

2. Will it also remove the markup for my forum descriptions (forum entry banners)?

You can set unique headers and footers for each forum.

You need to treat this as an import to a new piece of software - there are that many changes

Ian you make statements hotspotoutdoors.com already knows and you do not answer both of his questions. We do appreciate your attempt to be helpful.

If someone knows the correct answers it would be appreciated. Thanks much.

One more question in addition to the two above: How much data IS lost in the transfer if the data is lost for the headers and forum descriptions?

Only data is moved over (posts, users, polls, etc); the header data is not moved; you will have to move them over manually (as Ian stated)

Thanks Gizmo & Ian as well.

What about Forum Names and Forum Descriptions? Do they stay the same?

They should import without issue.

Thanks Gizmo.

We've copied the headers and saved them to update the upgraded forums.

Sorry - for even trying to help

Sorry Ian. We know that but our question wasn't answered and we feared everyone would think it was. We do appreciate your help.

I am guessing that you are connected with the earlier poster given your subsequent post - but there is no way to know that, and as it was your first post it came across rather rude.

And to say my answer was incorrect is wrong.

Politeness is all we ask

Thanks.

Hi Ian, I apologize seeing that you took the post as rude.

Just to be clear I did not say you were incorrect.

Your statements in the post above my first post did not answer either question being asked (You did answer one question in a prior post). We just needed the correct answers to both question being asked. That's all the post was intended for, not an insult to you.

Again Ian I apologize for having offended you.