the 'upgrade' procedure

[bartjantje]

Hi all,

I just became member of this forum because I have a question about 'upgrading' XAMPP. I have been reading forums and searching for hours internet but as far as I'm concerned, I have not found an answer to a question that sounds very simple to me. I am not a computer expert so I am looking for a simple instruction. I have found some topics on this forum that relate to the question, but did not find one simple straightforward answer.

Here's my question: I have installed a version of XAMPP some time ago, version 1.7.x or something, and now I want to 'upgrade' XAMPP to the latest version (all its components, php, mysql, apache, et cetera). So what is the simple, universal procedure for a non expert like me tot upgrade to the latest versions of these components? I have read all kinds of different answers: you have to remove mysql and apache (?) first using some unix commands, then remove the XAMPP directory manually before installing the latest version. But others say, simply download the latest version and install it without removing the old versions first.

So what is the procedure?

Thank you very much in advance.
Regards,
Bart-Jan

[Altrea]

Hi Bart-Jan,

Backup/Export all your existing sources and data first.
Then uninstall the existing XAMPP version completely.
Install the new XAMPP version and restore all sources and data.

Please don't install XAMPP over an existing XAMPP installation.

best wishes,
Altrea

[bartjantje]

Thank you Altrea,

Ok. I have to uninstall first. That's clear.
Now, the next question is: What does 'uninstall the existing XAMPP version completely' mean? I have read many different answers on the internet so I don't know what to do here:

1) Does it mean: simply dragging de XAMPP direactory in Applications to de garbage bin? Is that sufficient?
2) Or does it mean: delete the XAMPP directory using some unix command(s)?

And does this also remove the mysql database installation?

3) Or do I have to delete some directories containing the mysql database installation, as some say? And if so, do I have to do this first? And are there other installations that I have to remove?

Thank you very much in advance,
Regards,
Bart-Jan

[Altrea]

Hello Bart-Jan,

well, i cannot answer your questions because i don't have a Mac.
Commonly it is enough to delete the entire XAMPP folder with the command sudo rm.
Your MySQL folder and data should be inside the xampp folder.

best wishes,
Altrea

[bartjantje]

Thanks!

Well XAMPP is very good when it comes to the easy installation, and it works very fine, I'm very happy with it, but when it comes to a simple update to a new version, there is not a simple instruction on the apachefriends website. That's pity. For instance, I have read somewhere else that you have to deinstall mysql as well and that I have to do the stuff below. For someone that's not a computer expert that's not very user friendly stuff:

Use mysqldump to backup your databases to text files! Stop the database server

sudo rm /usr/local/mysql
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/mysql*
sudo rm -rf /Library/StartupItems/MySQLCOM
sudo rm -rf /Library/PreferencePanes/My*

Edit /etc/hostconfig and remove the line MYSQLCOM=-YES-

rm -rf ~/Library/PreferencePanes/My*
sudo rm -rf /Library/Receipts/mysql*
sudo rm -rf /Library/Receipts/MySQL*
sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/receipts/*mysql*

Others say it's enough you just remove the XAMPP application folder. Well, I don't know. I think I'll just have to try by remove XAMPP first and reinstalling a new version and see what happens. Hope it still works afterwards. It's a pity that there is not one single instruction on it on the apachefriends website what to do if you want to upgrade.

Regards,
Bart-Jan

[bartjantje]

Hi Altrea,

Well, in addition to the last post with the quote: I have checked all the mentioned directories and files that were mentioned in the quote on my mac and they do not exist on my computer. So probably it's enough to remove XAMPP from the applications folder as you said!! Thank you! I will keep you posted. I'm sorry! It's because I'm not an expert on this. Thanks again!

Regards,
Bart-Jan