Web installer not updating database schema.
Since you are upgrading to 1.17, you should follow the instructions for upgrading to 1.17+.
The problem still remains as originally expressed and noting this wiki is small with the db being 3 MB when compressed. Instructions for both suggest the web installer, which it is what I used and all I have acccess to:
http://www.example.com/w/mw-config/index.php
I interpret "Web (MediaWiki 1.16 and earlier)" as meaning upgrading from Web (MediaWiki 1.16 and earlier) to 1.17 and that Web (MediaWiki 1.17 and later) means upgrading from Web (MediaWiki 1.17 and later) to 1.18rc(s)/nightly builds. If you can please confirm I have this back to front, I will change the instructions to be more specific.
That interpretation is backwards. I would actually just go ahead and remove the instructions for upgrading to 1.16; the only reason I haven't already done so is that 1.16 is still supported for 2 more weeks.
