PHP update issue in Joomla 2.5

[Bamboozle]

Hi all, after inheriting a joomla website a couple of years back, I’ve never really got my head round how it all works, so it’s never been updated, I’ve no idea what version it is, but now my host has updated the PHP and the site isn’t working at all, I’ve edited the config file so it says ‘mysqli’ instead of ‘mysql’ but it still doesn’t work, so I’m guessing it all needs updating (gulp) question is how do I figure out the version to get the correct update files? And is this going to fry my brain? I’m really not very competent with this sort of stuff

[rayadan]

What errors do you get?
What is your hosting manager app?

[Bamboozle]

Initially I got ‘ Database connection error (1): The MySQL adapter 'mysql' is not available’ but when I changed the config file I just got a blank page and no error at all, It’s all hosted on Dreamhost, who are being less than helpful

[gws]

In your hosting Cpanel make sure mysqli is selected in your PHP version.

[Bamboozle]

Ok had a response from dreamhost, I’m using joomla 2.xx and it needs to be 3.2 to run on the new PHP version, so it’s update time (gulp)

[gws]

Follow this guide. viewtopic.php?f=710&t=793171

[JAVesey]

Ok had a response from dreamhost, I’m using joomla 2.xx and it needs to be 3.2 to run on the new PHP version, so it’s update time (gulp)

Best practice would be to put your site offline (you can edit configuration.php to do this) then download the site to your local machine and do the migration offline using an suitable AMP stack (WAMP, XAMPP, MAMP, etc).

Good luck

[AMurray]

Ok had a response from dreamhost, I’m using joomla 2.xx and it needs to be 3.2 to run on the new PHP version, so it’s update time (gulp)

Joomla 3.5.x is the minimum to run on PHP 7. According to Dreamhost what is the new php version? Should be at least 7.2 (support until November 2020) but preferably your host should offer PHP 7.3 or 7.4.

Update to Joomla 3.9.16 (released March 2020) and ensure you stay up to date - Joomla releases come out every 4-6 weeks on average.

Instruction for migration from 2.5 found here: viewtopic.php?f=710&t=793171 but first read viewtopic.php?f=710&t=868240.