Manually updating Genesis via SFTP

[Collins]

What is the best to update to the most recent Genesis version? The way our web servers are configured, we're not able to use the quick and easy option (Genesis 1.7.1 is available. Check out what's new or update now.), so we need to download the latest and upload using SFTP.

[NicktheGeek]

download Genesis. Unzip the folder. Access your site via FTP and navigate to the wp-content/themes/ folder. Upload your genesis folder overwriting the existing folder.

[Collins]

That's too easy. Thanks. For updating WordPress from 3.2.1, is it basically the same thing?

[NicktheGeek]

Basically, but for the full instructions check out
http://codex.wordpress.org/Updating_...#Manual_Update

[Collins]

I'm just about done with the update. As instructed, I've replaced the wp-includes and wp-admin directories, as well as some files within wp-contents. I'm then instructed to go to wp-admin, where I was greeted with the following message:

Database Update Required
WordPress has been updated! Before we send you on your way, we have to update your database to the newest version.
The update process may take a little while, so please be patient.
Update WordPress Database

Even though, because we have to do everything manually, I went ahead and clicked the "Update WordPress Database" button, but received the following error message:

Fatal error: Class 'WP_Theme' not found in /wp-includes/theme.php on line 106

I checked the WP forums, but haven't found a fix yet. Any ideas?

[Collins]

ESMI over on the WP Forums posted the following, which resolved the above issue:

"It's a known issue if you haven't updated the root wp-settings.php file. Try grabbing another download, deleting wp-settings.php in root and just uploading this file."

[NicktheGeek]

everything working?

[Collins]

Yes, everything seems to be working so far. I'm currently working on upgrading out-of-date plugins. To manually update a plugin, would you recommend deleting the old plugin directory first?

[Collins]

Where do you go to get the Genesis update?

[NicktheGeek]

Genesis support forum. There is a sticky thread at the top for the latest version. For convenience here is the link
http://www.studiopress.com/support/s...ad.php?t=19576

[Collins]

I updated Genesis, but for some reason, a lot of the elements included in widgets are out of order. For example, Footer 1's content ended up in Footer 2, Footer 2's content ended up in Footer 3, and so on. I've noticed this as being a common occurrence when I copy the production db to one of our development environments. Is there any way to protect against this?

[NicktheGeek]

I'm guessing you updated from a pretty old version. Pre 1.6 if I remember this error correctly. It shouldn't be a problem moving forward.

[Collins]

This is the version we upgraded from: Version: 1.6 · Released: April 26, 2011. Will we no longer have any problems with menus and widgets?

[NicktheGeek]

You shouldn't. You can ensure this by making sure all of your sidebars have an ID. I recommend doing that one at a time since the widgets can shift when you set the ID.

[Collins]

I inherited this site. Where do I go to do this?

[NicktheGeek]

it is in the functions.php file. I explain it here
http://designsbynickthegeek.com/tuto...etize-function