Before you install

Do the hosting steps below before you continue in the installer.

PHP version (required)

  1. This script needs PHP 8.2 or newer. Old LFMVM often runs on PHP 7.4 — that is fine for your live site until Go Live.
  2. In cPanel / DirectAdmin, set PHP 8.2+ for the domain where you uploaded this ZIP (staging subdomain for migrate, or your new domain for fresh install).
  3. If install.php shows a blank page or error 500, upgrade PHP first — you should then see a clear “PHP upgrade required” message instead.

A — Fresh install (new domain)

  1. Upload and extract the ZIP into this domain’s public_html.
  2. Set this domain to PHP 8.2+ in your hosting panel.
  3. In cPanel / DirectAdmin: create a new empty MySQL database and database user.
  4. Open install.php in your browser and choose Fresh install.

B — Migrate from old LFMVM (existing site)

  1. Your old LFMVM site stays live on your main domain. Do not change it yet. It can stay on PHP 7.4.
  2. In cPanel / DirectAdmin: create a staging subdomain (e.g. staging.yourdomain.com) with its own document root — not a folder inside main public_html.
  3. Set the staging subdomain to PHP 8.2+ (leave main domain on 7.4 until Go Live).
  4. Upload and extract the ZIP into the staging document root.
  5. Create a new empty MySQL database for the new script. Keep your old LFMVM database — you will need both.
  6. Open install.php on the staging URL and choose Migrate from old LFMVM.
  7. On Step 2: registered domain = your main live domain (from purchase email).
  8. On Step 4: site URL = your staging address (the URL in your browser).
  9. After import and setup on staging, use Admin → Go Live to move to your main domain.
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