After failing three times in upgrading my XOOPS sites by directly following the included update instructions; I finally figured out what we're supposed to do. I am a quick learner!
In order to help others avoid my mistakes, here are the instructions in a more complete form (and they do work for me...) No guarantees expressed or implied!
Upgrade to XOOPS 2.2 Step 1. Prepare for the Upgrade
1. Backup your system files
2. Backup your database
3. Go to your administration area => system module => preferences => Turn Off your site.
4. Go to your administration area => system module => preferences => general settings and enable PHP debug
Step 2. Run xoopsupdate script
1. Upload all files in the patch archive (Xoops 2.0.13 to 2.2) to your site
2. In your Internet Browser Window (IE, Firefox, Mozilla) enter (run)
http://www.example.com/xoopsupdate.php, replacing
http://www.example.com with your site's URL .
3. You will see a number of error messages and no real content; don't worry, just proceed to next step
4. Select (press) the submit button to update your system
5. You will see a long stream of messages
* Hopefully these will indicate a successful update! If so, your update should now be complete. Congratulations!
* If you see something "strange" please refer to the FAQ or XOOPS Forums for further assistance.
Step 3. Cleanup and test
1. Next enter your site address in the Internet browser window (e.g.,
http://www.example.com- replace
http://www.example.com with your site's URL) and you should get a clean load of your site (Note! you may not see any content in the middle of the page-- because of changes to your blocks etc.)
2. Select the Administration Menu option on your User Menu to enter the new Admin area
* Remove the /install directory from your site.
* Adjust blocks, permissions, etc. so that you have your site looking like you want it to...
* generally play around to readjust your site's Look & Feel
* once you are happy with things...
3. Go to your site's administration area => system module => preferences => Turn On your site.
4. Do a final 'live ' test. Make certain everything looks okay. If it doesn't, your on your own; you certainly are encouraged to come to the
https://xoops.org with question.
I hope someone finds this helpful...