Sorted the problem it wasnt to do with the upgrade rather to do with the configuration of the bb-config file i didnt know there was a seperate config file for contacting the database i would have thought the wp-config file should suffice for db connection, i had changed some details in the database name and user which i was aware of hence i made the changes in wp-config, i was about to scrap the whole lot and start again when i noticed the bp-config just saved bout 8 hours of work woop woop.
Its a newer version yes well the old db was on debian lenny the new one is debian squeeze, i have tested the server it appears to be working fine, ill test your theory ill use another server with the backups and old version, thanks for the point of view i hadnt thought of that
