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Upgrading to WordPress 2.9 with MySQL 4.0

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Last Updated: September 2, 2010 1:09 PM

To upgrade to WordPress 2.9, you must also upgrade your MySQL 4.0 database to a newer version.

This process may take a few hours due to the length of time databases take to backup, set up, and restore. Let's get started in your Hosting Control Center.

1. Backup Your Current WordPress Database

Use your Hosting Control Center to backup your MySQL 4.0 database into which WordPress is installed.

Backing Up and Restoring MySQL or MSSQL Databases

2. Create a New Database

Use your Hosting Control Center to create a new MySQL database using MySQL 5.0 or higher.

Creating MySQL or SQL Server Databases for Your Hosting Account

3. Restore Your Backed-Up Database to Your New Database

Use your Hosting Control Center to restore your database backup into the new MySQL 5.0 or greater database.

Backing Up and Restoring MySQL or MSSQL Databases

4. Update Your wp-config.php File

Use your Hosting Control Center to find the host name for your MySQL database. You will need this information to modify your wp-config.php file.

Why is WordPress unable to connect to my database during install?

Modify Your wp-config.php File

  1. Open your wp-config.php file in a text editor, such as Notepad.

    If there is no file called wp-config.php, open wp-config-sample.php and save it as wp-config.php.
  2. In wp-config.php, locate the section that looks like this example:
    /** The name of the database for WordPress */
    define('DB_NAME', 'putyourdbnamehere');
    /** MySQL database username */
    define('DB_USER', 'usernamehere');
    /** MySQL database password */
    define('DB_PASSWORD', 'yourpasswordhere');
    /** MySQL hostname */
    define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

    NOTE: The wp-config.php file displays your old database name and location and password, rather than this default information.

  3. Replace the following information with the information used to create your database:
    • putyourdbnamehere is your MySQL database name.
    • usernamehere is your MySQL user name.
    • yourpasswordhere is your MySQL password.
    • localhost is your MySQL host name.
  4. Upload your modified wp-config.php file.

You can now access your wp-admin panel and upgrade to WordPress version 2.9.