I upgraded on my local install. Everything appears to work except the admin. The control panel home only has System Configuration and Help icons.

Errors show $adminmenu not defined in /modules/system/themes/default/default.php line 106. This occurs because $xoopsModule is null. I am not sure where or how it is supposed being initialized.

Any info would be appreciated.

This may be a relevant detail. I did not find an upgrade directory in the xoops-2.5.1a.zip so I ran the install. You know if does not work just install it again :)

There is an upgrade script and if you do not run that then it wont work properly. You need to return your system to its 2.4.4 from a backup and make sure it works then install 2.5.1a with the update...

I would suggest though to go to 2.4.5 and wait on 2.5.2 before upgrading to the 2.5 series. 2.5.1a has a number of bugs in it.

And even then 2.5.2 you may want to wait to make sure the old bugs are fixed and nothing new crops up.

Rodney