I have MkPortal with AEForum installed on my website. I want to switch to a different forum, so that I can upgrade MkPortal. How do I swtich to a different forum without losing the current data in the database? I don't want my members to have to re-join the site, and I don't want to lose any data. Any help?

you should be able to SQL dump if you can interact directly with the database. Does it let you create tables, rows, etc., with SQL statements or what?
Also you can look for an export command somewhere. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

I have full access to my database. I'll try to do a SQL dump and see if that works. I'm not sure how to do so though. I'm sure there's some information on the web about it. Thanks

I got help from the MKPortal forums. It sounds pretty simple. I'll find out if it really is or not. LOL

Ok I created a test site and installed MKPortal with AEForums. I backed up the database on my "live" site. I tried to import the .sql file to the test site, and it doesn't look like it worked. I didn't receive any SQL errors, it said that it was sucessful.

Here's the steps MKPortal told me to do:

1. backup all data and database
2. deinstall mkportal-AEF integration (if there is any)
3. install a new forum (I suggest SMF 1.1.10 http://download.simplemachines.org)
4. convert data from AEF, for example SMF has a converter from AEF http://download.simplemachines.org/?converters
5. mkportal-SMF integration (forum/sources/subs.php)

I think I got the back up database part.

What I'm trying to is install MKPortal with AEForum on a test site and import the database from my "live" site to the test site. Then I'll just follow the steps to switch the forum and upgrade on the test site.

I have MKPortal+AEFourms installed on the test site sucessfully. I'm just having trouble importing the database from the "live" site to the test site. Any help?