Taking a different (more cautious) approach this time, I created a new MT directory and database (with contents copied from MT3.17 database) AND uploaded all the plugins I use. (Again, my purpose for now is to test upgrading.) This time the upgrade process did hang, but with no errors. It required me to log in again twice during the process. I did have success, though, with upgrading the database this time (no errors!). The rest of the story is not so sweet. Unfortunately, I have to take some of the credit for the problems I'm having. There is a little plugin fussiness and I won't be able to rebuild much of anything 'til I iron that out. (some plugin conflict is due to having edited the lib path because of activity log errors). Okay, that's done but I'm still having rebuilding errors all over the place. I'll be back...
