DrupalGuide

Notice: This software is considered Best Effort. The installation, configuration or correction of this software is not covered under our managed support.

Warning: do NOT make direct edits to Drupal-related .php files!

Warning: Drupal is too resource intensive to run well on VPS1 servers!

Notice: Do Not Use This Guide!!!

Drupalbeta

drupal.org

The Problem is with a new Drupal installation, and it's not on a VPS1

1. Is anything other than SuPHP being used? If so, recommend SuPHP be used & check permissions.
   

1. Is the server using lots of RAM, having MySQL issues, or experiencing high load post-install?
   
   1. If yes, the PHP and MySQL settings are likely set too conservatively for Drupal to work properly
      

It's an existing site

1. Are they on a VPS1 or have they upgraded servers recently? If they've migrated/upgraded, check the PHP version.
   
2. Is anything other than SuPHP being used? If so, recommend SuPHP be used & check permissions.
   
3. Is this a new Drupal install? If so, and it isn't working, make sure it was installed properly via cPanel/Fantastico.
   
   1. Assuming it was installed properly
      

File Structure

While all PHP-based CMS-packages perform what can basically be considered the same task, differences in functionality and scalability arise out of how those tasks are performed. Drupal File Structure

Versions & Upgrading

http://drupal.org/documentation/upgrade/6/7

Upgrading your Drupal installation

The process of upgrading to the latest version of Drupal can vary in difficulty depending on the complexity of your current installation. You can only upgrade from one version to the next version. For example you are trying to move from Drupal 5 to Drupal 7 you first need to upgrade to Drupal 6 before you upgrade to Drupal 7.

Upgrade Process

http://drupal.org/node/570162
About This Article

   * Drupal version: Drupal 7.x
   * Page status: Needs updating
   * Last modified: January 20, 2011

Note: DO NOT run install.php at any time during an upgrade. It will empty your content from the database. Upgrade Steps

1. Backup your existing site and database.
2. Login as user 1.
3. # Place the site in "off-line" mode (Administer >> Site configuration >> Site maintenance).
4. Switch your site's theme to a default theme (Garland).
5. Disable all custom and contributed modules.
6. Remove the Drupal 6 files in the folder or subfolder on your computer
7. Copy the Drupal 7 files into the folder or subfolder on your computer
8. Re-Configure Your Installation

Copy your backed up "files" and "sites" directories to the Drupal installation directory. If other system files such as .htaccess or robots.txt were customized, re-create the modifications in the new versions of the files using the backups taken in step #1.

quoted from upgrade.txt file
10. Empty your 'sites' folder
11. Run update.php (DO NOT RUN INSTALL.PHP). Point the browser to http://example.com/update.php
12. Running update.php at this time makes the necessary database changes to Drupal 7. Your contributed modules are not yet upgraded
13. Copy the Drupal 7 contributed modules and themes to your 'sites/all/modules' or 'sites/all/themes' folders as needed
14. Copy customized modules and themes in the correct place 'sites/all/modules' or 'sites/all/themes
15. Go to Administer → Sites Building → Modules and re-enable the modules
16. Re-Run update.php (DO NOT RUN INSTALL.PHP). Point the browser to http:// yourdomain/update.php
17. Running update.php at this time makes the database table updates needed by the modules
18. Re-activate your theme

Drupal 7.x

Hab' doch g'rad g'sagt das i' es hab'n werde wenn's mir auch lohnt~!

Common Causes of Issues in Order of Frequency

Your first step should be to ignore whatever bits of misinformation the customer is giving you. Remember, these people are web developers; this means they usually have no idea

PHP

Drupal