The issues I have seen have been with the various versions of php-4.3.10 floating around in the various upgrade scripts. If you install 6.5 RC1, then you should be able to run step 2, the 50pathsdirecories, pear upgrade log, and date from step 3. If you prefer I can change the step4 script so that it can be run without any of the above pre-reqs. I'll just add the necessary info to the script. We also need to get a handle on just which pear modules are needed.
I'll reload my test box over the weekend and run each of the steps and see what shape my server is in after that to see what can and can't be run.
At some point, we need to weed out the redundancy in the various upgrade scripts.
At this time, I don't know how to make an RPM, so the script is what I can contribute.
Thanks,
JB