WordPress automatic update didn’t work because I needed to update my MySQL Database. I tried to follow the directions at http://help.godaddy.com/article/5745? after contacting GoDaddy customer support. I backed up my old MySQL 4.0 database successfully, created a new MySQL 5.0 database, and then tried to recover the 5.0 database with the 4.0 backup, as specified in the instructions. That led to a blank screen when trying to access the admin module, no php error, no nothing. I also tried upgrading via GoDaddy’s Website tonight, but then I got to php errors saying I was missing files.

I finally did it right with the following steps:

1. Backed up old MySQL 4.0 database
2. Created a MySQL 5.0 database
3. Restored the MySQL 5.0 database with the MySQL 4.0 database backup
4. Downloaded all site files to my local drive
5. Went into My Application in the GoDaddy website tonight, and selected to uninstall WordPress (you can do it when you click on install details)
6. After uninstall was complete and I didn’t have any applications in “My Applications”, I installed WordPress again.
7. I tried getting into the WordPress admin site using the credentials I supplied to GoDaddy Website Tonight.
8. Then I had three databases, the one I created when I installed WordPress via GoDaddy Website Tonight, the old MySQL 4.0 database, and the new MySQL 5.0 database that was restored using the MySQL 4.0 database backup.
9. After install was complete, I download the wp-config.php file and edited it with the information on my MySQL 5.0 database that was restored using the old MySQL 4.0 backup file, and then uploaded it again.
10. Then I refreshed the WordPress Admin site, and was prompted to update my database, I just followed the prompts to update the database and get back into the Admin site.
11. Now I can see my old posts, but I’m having issues with my Plugins and Themes. By uploading wp-content/themes, and wp-content/plugins, I was able to see the themes and plugins I wanted to use, so I just had to go through and activate the plugins again.
12. Then I had to go through and update my permalink structure for some reason, this may have been related to the theme I edited, but its worth troubleshooting links and site functionality to make sure everything works okay.

In no way am I advocating using this method to update your WordPress if you have GoDaddy hosting. Try following the directions provided by GoDaddy at correctly  and carefully before you resort to the hackneyed nonsense I had to go through to get my site up and running.

This was a great reminder that when you are doing these big upgrades to your website, always make a local database backup and backup your files. I also noticed something about being able to import a WordPress using a WXP file, I’ll be looking into that ASAP. Now I’m working on the last step, and deleting the two databases that I don’t need anymore. Hopefully this helps out someone that is desperate.