upgrade from joomla 1.5 to 3.4 while preserving content

[jeffc2000]

sorry, I assume this has been answered. I did a search to find answer to no avail.

I attempted to upgrade from joomla 1.5 to 3.4, here's what i did:
1. downloaded 3.4 zip
2. from joomla 1.5.2 admin "extension manager", i browsed to "upload package file" and selected joomla 3.4 zip
3. clicked "upload file and install"
4. Got error "Error! Could not find a Joomla! XML setup file in the package."

How do i upgrade to 3.4 while preserving existing site content?

[numinousmedia]

This is a big question! Here's a better way to handle this.

1. Install the latest version of Joomla 3.x in a separate folder on your server. Give it it's own MySQL database, username and password. You'll probably need to set these up in your cPanel.
2. On your fresh, blank Joomla installation, install the SP Upgrade extension: http://extensions.joomla.org/extension/sp-upgrade This extension costs a little bit of money, but it is worth every penny!
3. Enter your original site's database details into your SP Upgrade settings.
4. One by one, transfer parts of your Joomla 1.5 core items into your new site. It might be tempting to try and transfer all of your sections, categories, articles, users, menus, etc. all at once, but I've found that I incur more errors this way. Do them one at a time, and the process may take a bit longer, but it is more stable.

I'd also recommend working from outside in. So start with your sections. Then do categories. then do articles.

5. To transfer your images over, I'd recommend using an FTP client or your cPanel's file browser. There is an FTP setting inside SP Upgrade, but I find it's usually simpler to move the files using your own FTP client.

This should take care of it for you. Good luck!

[jeffc2000]

Numinous Media,
Thank you for the detailed upgrade procedure using sp-upgrade. It sounds like there is no easy way to upgrade from v1.x to 3.x and that i will essentially need to rebuild the site, bummer! At least this option enables me to transfer structure and content rather than rebuilding everything from scratch.

[leolam]

At least this option enables me to transfer structure and content rather than rebuilding everything from scratch.

Please see this link This will provide you the exact guidance as roughly explained excellent by Numinous Media.

@Mods: This is not self promotion but that guide is not available on "docs" so I am linking otherwise I have to copy the entire guide here and OP needs the documented support

Leo

[jeffc2000]

Leolam,
Thank you for providing the additional procedural details for using SP Upgrade