PROBLEM: I ran the Dashboard/automatic upgrade to install 5.6.1.2. This broke my site completely. And oddly, added the folder /updates/concrete5.6.1.2_updater instead of the usual /updates/concrete(version.number). There were also problems with the upgraded c5 pulling in the theme I am using (Slate, dark version, from c5mix). I couldn't earily restore to an older back-up because I couldn't even get to the Dashboard.

After searching through various forums, I only found others with similar problems, no answers. Finally found a simple fix for my problem on the Slate theme support forum - MANY thanks to Concrete5 user "dsw528" for this fix. (Other users probably know this trick - but I'm a newbie when it comes to debugging c5).

SOLUTION: In my config/site.php file I changed the pointer from 5.6.1.2 to 5.6.0.2 (my last stable install). My website was instantly restored to stable operation.

Code line is now:
[ define('DIRNAME_APP_UPDATED', 'concrete5.6.0.2');?> ]

I'm posting this solution here is case it can help others who've had a similar problem.

I've used the automatic (Dashboard) upgrader 6 times in the past year and never had a problem before. I'm hoping to eventually hear something from either c5mix (theme developer) or the concrete5 team on why this upgrade went so horribly wrong.

cheers,
Kim