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__NOTOC__
{{Ambox|type=serious|image=serious|text=This page describes the process for upgrading from one of the Joomla! 1.5.0 Release Candidates to Joomla! 1.5.0 Stable.  For details on how to migrate from Joomla! 1.0.x to Joomla! 1.5 Stable, please read '''[[Migrating from 1.0.x to 1.5 Stable]]''' instead.}}

{{upgrade-intro}}

==Step 1: Download the Joomla! 1.5.0 Stable package==
The Joomla! 1.5.0 Stable package is available from the [http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/joomla/frs/?action=FrsReleaseBrowse&frs_package_id=2 JoomlaCode site].  It is available in three different package formats.  These are indicated by the file extension which is either .zip, .tar.gz or .tar.bz2.  The contents of each of these alternative packages is identical so just choose the one most convenient for you.
{{Ambox|image=notice|text=[[Unpacking a package file|More about package file formats]]|style=width:400px}}

In order to ensure that the package you downloaded was copied correctly it is a good idea to compare the MD5 checksum of the downloaded package to the [http://www.joomla.org/content/category/5/60/117/ published checksum].
{{Ambox|image=notice|text=[[How to determine a package checksum]]|style=width:400px}}
{{Ambox|type=serious|image=serious|text='''If the checksums differ then do not use the patch package'''.  Repeat the download and check again.  If the checksums still differ then report the problem on the [http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,430.0.html Joomla! 1.5 Migrating and Upgrading Forum].}}

==Step 2: Make a copy of your live site==
{{upgrade-copysite}}

==Step 3: Install the package on the copy site==
{{installing a package file}}
{{Ambox|type=serious|image=serious|text=Delete the ''/installation directory''.  You will not be able to access your Joomla! site (front-end or back-end) until you do.}}

==Step 4: Apply database changes==
If you are upgrading from Joomla! 1.5 RC3 or earlier, then you must apply changes to the database.  If you are upgrading from Joomla! 1.5 RC4 you can skip this step.

Locate the directory ''/installation/sql/mysql/''.  In it you will find the following files which must be used in sequence to apply the necessary database changes.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! File
! Comments
|-
| diff_rc1_to_rc2.sql
| For upgrading from RC1 to RC2
|-
| diff_rc2_to_rc3.sql
| For upgrading from RC2 to RC3
|-
| diff_rc3_to_rc4.sql
| For upgrading from RC3 to RC4
|-
| diff.sql
| For upgrading from RC4 to Stable
|}
The last of these is actually not required as there were no database changes following RC4.  Note that all these files assume that your database prefix is set to the default "jos_".  If this is not the case then you must manually edit the files to reflect the database prefix that you are using.
{{Ambox|image=notice|text=[[How to determine your database prefix]]|style=width:400px}}
Save the file and exit the text editor.

Now apply the ''diff.sql'' file to your database.
{{Ambox|image=notice|text=[[How to apply a .sql file to a database]]|style=width:400px}}

==Step 5: Test thoroughly==
{{upgrade-test}}

==Step 6: Backup your live site==
Take a full backup copy of your live site immediately prior to upgrading.  You may want to take your site offline prior to doing this so that updates are not lost.
{{Ambox|image=notice|text=[[copying a Joomla website|How to copy a Joomla! website]]|style=width:400px}}

==Step 7: Install the package on your live site==
{{installing a package file}}

The alternative selected may be different from that used in step 3 if the hosting platform for the site is different.
{{Ambox|type=serious|image=serious|text=Delete the ''/installation directory''.  You will not be able to access your Joomla! site (front-end or back-end) until you do.}}

==Step 8: Apply database changes to your live site==
Repeat Step 4 for your live site.

==Step 9: Make any other changes required==
Referring to your notes from step 5, make any other changes that are required to bring the site into operation following the installation.
{{Ambox|type=serious|image=serious|text=Do not enable the XML-RPC Blogger API plugin in Joomla! 1.5.0 as there is a [http://www.joomla.org/component/option,com_jd-wp/Itemid,105/p,486/ known security issue] with it. This was fixed in Joomla! 1.5.1 }}

==Step 10: Check your live site to make sure it is working correctly==
Don't assume that the upgrade will work flawlessly just because the test upgrade worked.  Check to make sure that nothing untoward has happened.  It could be that differences between the live site and test site platforms will bring out a problem that you did not notice during testing.  If you find a problem and it cannot be resolved quickly you might have to rollback the upgrade using the backup copy you created in step 6.

Hopefully all will be well and you can relax.  If you have any questions before, during, or after the upgrade then please ask them on the [http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,430.0.html Joomla! 1.5 Migrating and Upgrading Forum].

Return to [[Upgrade Instructions]]