need upgrade from 3.90 to 4.0 done

The normal upgrade to 4.00 from 3.90 is followed, but there is a server error on my web host. They have tried and failed, I have done it and failed, and now I am trying to find help because they ended up telling me to do it myself. When they did the upgrade a  server error was generated (text below). The 3.90 website has been running for two years and never has had an issue. I don't have  a lot of money resources, so I am interested in a single amount that will yield a working 4.00 website. I want to get it to 4.02 eventually, but I believe I can do that myself once I have a working 4.00. You can look at the site at https://www.smtdesigns.com/store. Thanks!

Server error
Application startup exception: System.Exception: Unexpected character encountered while parsing value: D. Path '', line 0, position 0.
---> Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException: Unexpected character encountered while parsing value: D. Path '', line 0, position 0.
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonTextReader.ParseValue()
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonTextReader.Read()
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReader.ReadForType(JsonContract contract, Boolean hasConverter)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization.JsonSerializerInternalReader.Deserialize(JsonReader reader, Type objectType, Boolean checkAdditionalContent)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonSerializer.DeserializeInternal(JsonReader reader, Type objectType)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(String value, Type type, JsonSerializerSettings settings)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject[T](String value, JsonSerializerSettings settings)
   at Nop.Core.Plugins.PluginManager.GetInstalledPluginNames(String filePath)
   at Nop.Core.Plugins.PluginManager.Initialize(ApplicationPartManager applicationPartManager, NopConfig config)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
   at Nop.Core.Plugins.PluginManager.Initialize(ApplicationPartManager applicationPartManager, NopConfig config)
   at Nop.Core.Infrastructure.NopEngine.Initialize(IServiceCollection services)
   at Nop.Web.Framework.Infrastructure.Extensions.ServiceCollectionExtensions.ConfigureApplicationServices(IServiceCollection services, IConfigurationRoot configuration)
   at Nop.Web.Startup.ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.ConventionBasedStartup.ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
   at Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.Internal.WebHost.EnsureApplicationServices()
   at Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.Internal.WebHost.BuildApplication()
crit: Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.Internal.WebHost[6]
      Application startup exception
System.Exception: Unexpected character encountered while parsing value: D. Path '', line 0, position 0.
---> Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException: Unexpected character encountered while parsing value: D. Path '', line 0, position 0.
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonTextReader.ParseValue()
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonTextReader.Read()
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReader.ReadForType(JsonContract contract, Boolean hasConverter)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization.JsonSerializerInternalReader.Deserialize(JsonReader reader, Type objectType, Boolean checkAdditionalContent)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonSerializer.DeserializeInternal(JsonReader reader, Type objectType)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(String value, Type type, JsonSerializerSettings settings)
   at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject[T](String value, JsonSerializerSettings settings)
   at Nop.Core.Plugins.PluginManager.GetInstalledPluginNames(String filePath)
   at Nop.Core.Plugins.PluginManager.Initialize(ApplicationPartManager applicationPartManager, NopConfig config)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
   at Nop.Core.Plugins.PluginManager.Initialize(ApplicationPartManager applicationPartManager, NopConfig config)
   at Nop.Core.Infrastructure.NopEngine.Initialize(IServiceCollection services)
   at Nop.Web.Framework.Infrastructure.Extensions.ServiceCollectionExtensions.ConfigureApplicationServices(IServiceCollection services, IConfigurationRoot configuration)
   at Nop.Web.Startup.ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.ConventionBasedStartup.ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
   at Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.Internal.WebHost.EnsureApplicationServices()
   at Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.Internal.WebHost.BuildApplication()
Hosting environment: Production
Content root path: h:\root\home\stevethatcher1-001\www\smtdesigns\store
Now listening on: http://localhost:28455
Application started. Press Ctrl+C to shut down.
info: Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.Internal.WebHost[1]
      Request starting HTTP/1.1 GET http://www.smtdesigns.com/store  
info: Microsoft.AspNetCore.Hosting.Internal.WebHost[2]
      Request finished in 172.6139ms 500 text/html; charset=utf-8

There error seems to indicate that you have a problem with your file \App_Data\installedPlugins.json.

I recommend that you do a brand new install and let it create a new database (with sample data).  Once that works, you can change the connection string to point to your other upgraded database.

that is the direction I am going right now. The only issue currently, is that none of my images are present in products and categories.

I did a new install of 4.00, changed the dataSettings.json for a 3.90 database that I ran the SQL script on. Uploaded two plugins that I needed and ran the 4.00 version. After clearing cache and restarting, everything is there except the images. I would prefer not having to set all of them up (there are hundreds).  I setuop the two plugins I had uploaded and so far it is all good except for the graphics. I will spend more time on it during daylight hours tomorrow. Thanks for the idea!

Hello SteveMThatcher,
Hope you are doing well!!
I'd Glad to assist you.
Pm Sent with details, please check.
Thanks and Regards
Carter W

SteveMThatcher wrote:

Hello,

Please check the PM.

Thanks & Regards
Jatin

SteveMThatcher wrote:
Are you storing images in the DB or file system?

I had two different issues. The uploaded docs and images down in content pages using Roxy had all their links broken. I went through and fixed them last night. I had already copied all of those files into the 4.00 files directory so it was just a matter of reselecting the file again at the new path presented by Roxy.

The DB uploaded images were simply not all copied over. I realized the web host's control panel did copy all images in a directory. I ended up zipping up directories and then unzipping them where they needed to be.

there appears to no way to remove my request for help.

I have gotten past the need for any assistance at this time. Thank you.