DONT UPGRADE ON A LIVE SITE WITHOUT TESTING FIRST

[PRO]

Do NOT upgrade on a live site without testing it on a development site first.

Ways to do this are:

1) Have a separate domain
2) Use a folder, and SEPARATE database

If you use a folder its easy to test especially if you wanna test the SSL effects as well. All the server configurations are the same. BUT you MUST block the folder with a password in order to not have SEO problems.

Tutorial on using a folder for upgrading, with seamless restore.
http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=86923.0

[aaron_a]

You should also make sure you made a complete backup of the website and database before updating.

[soccer-mommy]

How do you make a back up of the website?  Who can do this type of work for me?  I need to update my site and get some help with some issues.

[jenkinhill]

https://www.akeebabackup.com/software/akeeba-backup.html

[new_phil]

Success... I followed all of this by the book. and was able to leisurely find my NUMEROUS odd points after upgrading/patching the test site, even did live purchases during my testing phase on the test site. All the pages I modified in 2009 were a little work to dig up, but I found all of my notes and banged it out in short order.

Just upgraded my customers live site, then pushed my modified pages up, and have now checked everything out (made live purchases).... Good to go!

Thanks to Alex & Kelvyn!

Cheers