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I upgraded my Mambo installation to Joomla 1.0.7 without any apparent hitches (I overwrote the files, and ran the sql thing). Whislt downloading the 1.0.8 patch (from 1.0.7), I noticed a configuration-dist file.

What exactly is that for?

I uploaded and overwrote my files, and then considered the fact that maybe my configuration.php file hasn't been updated... but surely it needs to be updated right?

So I downloaded a copy of my configuration.php file, and compared it's contents to that of the configuration-dist one.

There are some differences, and quite noticeably my current file still points to the mamboserver for help...

Indeed, the table prefixes are still set to mos_ whereas the new ones are jos_ (checked database and it's definately mos_).
So, I got to updating my configuration.php file - and changed some things (basically used the new one, and copied values across for my database etc, log ins what have you. I also changed the mos_secret thingy too (whatever the heck that is actually for, I've never really found an explanation using the search function as to exactly what it does).

Uploaded files, logged in expecting all sorts of problems (mainly as i didnt' change the database prefix to jos_ in the database, but the config file said it was now jos_), but nothing has changed. Same old mos_security, still pointing to mambo help server, etc etc.

Checked the file in my root directory, it shows todays time stamp for updating... but the content hasn't changed.
Checked the CHMOD, and changed it - overwrote file, and it updates correctly.
So - try the site... white screen (blank). Try admin panel, white screen (blank).
Hmm, try reuploading file with old mos_secret - still blank, reupload with correct database prefix... still blank.

Relinquish, realise I should have asked first, and then reupload the backup copy i made - site works.

So, what is the inclusion of configuration-dist for? Does configuration file never need updating or something? What exactly is this mos_secret thing, and can I simply change the value - and what will it do to the system?

I really struggled to find anything helpful or useful when searching the forums on this topic, plenty of search matches, none saying what to do with the config file or whether it never needs updating (essentially mine is still the same old config file from Mambo 4.5.3 or whatever version it was) ever etc.

Slightly baffled, very bemused... any help would be appreciated. Am willing to fiddle around all day to any recommendations from knowledgeable people.

Many thanks.

I have done the same procedure, and i have the same problem (blank page). But i don't have a backup of the site!
How can i resolve?

The dist file is just an example, you don't need to update it while patching Joomla. The original file will do nicely.

As you are aware, the DB prefix when converted from Mambo remains mos_ while the prefix for a clean Joomla is jos_.  For the time being there is no difference when running with either prefixes except that a very few 3dp apps have mos_ hardcoded so they will stop working if the prefix jos_ is used.


The prefix set in configuration.php must be the same as the one the DB uses or the tables will not be recognized.  Although I have never tested it, that could be where the blank page comes from.

Cheers

Thankyou for the replies folks, sorry about the issue you've got Angelus!

Good to know it's not necessary to update the file, although I assume at one point I will have to change my database tables over (hopefully by then my DB classes will have paid off, and I'll do it without fubaring everything up )

Either way, Joomla is not going to change an optional deffierent database prefix. In Joomla 1.1, the prefix will be used as well.