Phoca Download not functioning after upgrade of Joomla 3x to 4.3.4

[gsande]

Some time ago, I updated Joomla 3.x to 4.x (4.3.4), but apparently I did NOT know about the information in your online article about Migrating from Joomla 3.x to 4.x. I therefore did not follow those instructions.
I did upgrade to the Phoca extensions to be correct for the Joomla 4 environment, but then I upgraded Joomla to 4.x, and since that time, I am unable to use, edit phoca download entries, or add/edit or delete Phoca documents or records.
I am currently running
- Phoca Download - 4.09
- Phoca Download Button Plugin - 4.0.4
- Phoca Download Plugin - 4.0.6

I am not sure how I can fix this - I have read the 3.x to 4.X migration document, but since I have already upgraded Joomla, I'm not sure if I can fix this by following those instructions.

My only thought was to delete the entire phoca downloads content (pdfs), uninstall the software, then reinstall the Phoca extensions and rebuild it from scratch. I have recorded all the URLs and record aliases, descriptions, IDs, etc, and have the folders with the files - but I am concerned about SEO and recreating it with the same exact URLs. Most of my actual individual documents are not tied to menu items - so they have a record ID as part of the alias, so it may be difficult to recreate it exactly as it was.

Is there anything you can suggest that might help me regain the ability to use Phoca Download so that I can update/edit/delete add records?

I realize that I should have paid more attention to the fact that there was a document describing what to to.
I will also be updating Joomla to version 5, so if I delete the entire Phoca content (and databases I would guess), I may upgrade to Joomla 5 before I reinstall Phoca Download.

[Jan]

Hi, the migration guide is in fact export / import guide, so it is applicable in any time. If you have still data on your site, you can export them (data from database and files from filesytem), then completely reinstall Phoca Download (completely uninstall and install) and then running the import into completely new Phoca Download.

The question is, why we are talking about Joomla 4 (almost 10 years old system), you should use Joomla 6 and Phoca Download 6 now.

Jan

[gsande]

Yes, that is a very good point Jan. I will do as you suggest. The reason I didn't upgrade Joomla (or Phoca any further) was because I didn't want to make matters worse. In my job, I can only dedicate a small amount of time to web upkeep, so with that unresolved problem, I was afraid to compound the problem - so I basically let it sit and collect dust. Trying to fix that now.
I'll export, uninstall and reinstall and import the data, and hopefully get full control again of the Phoca Download software.
I'll also upgrade to Joomla 6 before reinstalling Phoca Download
Thank you for your help and suggestions!

[gsande]

I exported the Download files and sql, uninstalled Phoca Download, and upgraded Joomla to 5.4.5.
I'm using a now abandoned Rocketheme template however(with its implicit Gantry 5), and there are no assurances that either will be compatible with Joomla 6 - so I have to be very cautious and research before I try.
I'm going to have to abandon the Rocketheme/Gantry template environment soon though, so I may stay with Joomla 5.4.5 until I can redevelop the entire site with another template or environment.
IF I decide to stay with version 5.4.5 - I would then reinstall Phoca Download and import the SQL data. My question for you is whether I would have to repeat the process of exporting the SQL again if I migrate to Joomla 6 - then reimport again after upgrading?

[gsande]

Jan,
Just to report, I have successfully migrated to Joomla 6.1, installed Phoca Download 6, and have successfully imported the phocadownload.sql data back into the site - and ALL is now working! Yay!! The only thing that was tricky was the truncating (emptying) certain phocadownload tables before importing, but ChatGPT helped me figure out which tables required truncating - and it all works now. I'm able to add/edit/delete phocadownload records again!
Thank you very much!
Gary

[Jan]

Hi, great to hear it.

Jan