Well I found instructions and scripts to update php-nuke to php-platinum. I also found instructions and scripts to update the php-platinum to the current level of 7.6.b.4.

However there were no logs generated that I could find saying which scripts had been run and their success or failure. Since the previous webmaster is not helping then I appear to be stuck with the mess.

Unfortunately, the backup I found on the site that I thought was pre-update happened to be done two days after the update was attempted. So it doesn't help me much and it appears that there isn't another equivalent backup to be found.

Thanks for all your help. Right now I'm trying to export the data from the packaged message board and see if I can upload it to a new message board that is not so integrated with the php. Both were powered by phpbb so I am hopeful.

I may be back to try a php-nuke theme from your site so that I won't be in the dark in the future. I'm also suggesting a better backup regimen for the site-owners.

Thanks again.