6
Until you get more comfortable with Xoops, I don't recommend just compying your current site into a sub directory and manually editing the mainfile.php. It's do-able, but you have to be comfortable doing it.
Suggestions
1. Create a sub directory for your test site
2. Upload a fresh copy of XOOPS into the sub directory
3. Check your permissions
4. Start install as usual (meaning: navigate in your browser to the subdirectory where you uploaded XOOPS [
http://www.mywebsite.com/subdir/])
5. Use the same setting for your test site as you did your production site, EXCEPT change the DB prefix to something else. (ex: Production site uses xoops_ / change testing site to test_)
6. The setup wizard will automatically detect your physical and virtual paths, don't worry about changing them.
7. Continue with the installation per usual.
Hope this helps.