I can’t enter the dashboard of a very old WP… question for experts

  • I have a website built years ago with and old version of WP that I have never upgraded (I know, I know, please save your time critizising me for not upgrading, but my time is limited). For personal reasons I haven’t entered to post anything since before pandemic and these days, when I wanted to continue posting, I found that I cannot enter the dashboard although the site seems to work well.
    This is the site: [ redundant link removed ]
    It’s hosted on the server of a friend’s online service company and after I asked him what happened, he researched and told me that as it’s such old WP version, there’s no way to even upgrade it. They downgraded php as low as they could but couldn’t enter the WP dashboard.
    So I’m not sure if an expert like some of you knows how to fix that (upgrade WP and what’s necessary) or maybe it’s better to get all the photos and the DB and import them to a new installation, and also upgrading the theme and plugins…
    WP version I think it’s 3.9, it has a theme that I bought in Themeforest a a few plugins. What’s important here is not to loose al the posts and SEO.
    Thanks, any help is welcomed.

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • lisa

    (@contentiskey)

    before taking any actions to update WordPress version, PHP version, Theme or Plugins, create a backup copy of the content of your site (example: EXPORT your database + Download a copy of your UPLOADS folder) in case your site becomes inaccessible.

    Test your site in a separate private environment – you can try a tool like localwp.com for testing (follow directions on localwp.com for learning the file format needed to start a site in localwp.com) – note: if the theme is very old, you might need to try a different theme.

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by lisa.
    Thread Starter Hugo

    (@hurodal)

    Yes, I’m about to make a full backup of the upload folder although I have a saved copy of everything I’ve posted. Also I have the DB because a plugin is sending it to me everyday by mail… and it still works.
    Thanks for the tips, however, the main question remains: can this be upgraded? Is there a way to enter the dashboard? maybe upgrading manually?

    Any help is welcomed.

    Hello @hurodal

    If you’re unable to access the WordPress dashboard to perform an update, then the alternative is to perform a manual upgrade. You can find details on how to perform that here:

    https://www.ads-software.com/documentation/article/updating-wordpress/#manual-update

    I would however suggest first making a backup, before performing the update, you can find details on how to do that here:

    https://www.ads-software.com/documentation/article/wordpress-backups/.

    Your friend who owns the hosting company may be able to help with this. The most important thing to do would be to back up the database, and the theme, if you purchased it and don’t have another copy somewhere.

    If you don’t feel comfortable performing the update yourself there are WordPress services where you can hire WordPress experts to do this for you, or you could try posting a job on the WP Jobs website.

    Thread Starter Hugo

    (@hurodal)

    Thanks Jonathan!

    I’m about te make a backup, I’ve already have the DB and the original theme bought back then.

    But I think I’d prefer to hire an expert and pay for the few hours to do it. In the website you pointed at I see companies hiring experts, but where can I find someone that can help me? Maybe some users here are experts and offer their time…

    Regards,

    Hi Hugo

    So you can post a job using the Post a Job form. While there are a lot of full-time positions there, it’s also open to smaller projects.

    The www.ads-software.com Support guidelines strictly prohibit folks offering or asking for paid work here, so your best bet is to try the WP Jobs board, or another WordPress expert platform like Codeable.

    Moderator Jan Dembowski

    (@jdembowski)

    Forum Moderator and Brute Squad

    The www.ads-software.com Support guidelines strictly prohibit folks offering or asking for paid work here, so your best bet is to try the WP Jobs board, or another WordPress expert platform like Codeable.

    We really do and for good reason.

    Per the forum guideline I am now closing this topic.

    https://www.ads-software.com/support/guidelines/#do-not-offer-to-pay-for-help

    That really is a good link and I recommend that too.

    https://jobs.wordpress.net/post-a-job/

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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