@rhinoman restore a DB backup, enable debug, run the upgrade again and make a screenshot of the exact error message you get.

http://b2evolution.net/man/advanced-customization/debugging/debugging

Additional information about this error:

MySQL error!

Duplicate column name 'hit_action'(Errno=1060)

Your query:

ALTER TABLE evo_hitlog

CHANGE COLUMN hit_referer_type hit_referer_type ENUM( 'search', 'special', 'spam', 'referer', 'direct', 'self', 'admin', 'blacklist' ) NOT NULL,

ADD COLUMN hit_type ENUM('standard','rss','admin','ajax', 'service') DEFAULT 'standard' NOT NULL AFTER hit_ctrl,

ADD COLUMN hit_action VARCHAR(30) DEFAULT NULL AFTER hit_ctrl

Backtrace:

debug_die( "<p class="error">MySQL error!</p>\n<div><p><strong>Duplicate column name 'hit_action'(Errno=1060)</strong></p>\n<p class="error">Your query: </p><pre>ALTER TABLE evo_hitlog<br />\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;…" )
File: /home3/webjdcne/public_html/rhinomangraphics/lightscribe/inc/_core/model/db/_db.class.php on line 664
DB->print_error( "", "", "" )
File: /home3/webjdcne/public_html/rhinomangraphics/lightscribe/inc/_core/model/db/_db.class.php on line 877
DB->query( "ALTER TABLE T_hitlog\n CHANGE COLUMN hit_referer_type hit_referer_type ENUM( 'search', 'special', 'spam', 'referer', 'direct', 'self', 'admin', 'blacklist' ) NOT NULL,\n ADD COLUMN hit_type ENUM('standard','rss','admin','ajax', 'ser…" )
File: /home3/webjdcne/public_html/rhinomangraphics/lightscribe/install/_functions_evoupgrade.php on line 3209
upgrade_b2evo_tables( "evoupgrade" )
File: /home3/webjdcne/public_html/rhinomangraphics/lightscribe/install/index.php on line 730
Ignored last: 1

Did you restore your database to a previous backup before doing this?

I just restored a backup from a week ago.
tried to run the upgrade again... same error.

Actually, 1 small difference.

The new error says errno=1054

same result with a backup from 2 weeks ago.

Again: you don't give me full info, I can't help you. I need a screenshot will all the context AROUND "errno=1054".

Other than that you can go lookup that error number on the MySQL site. That's all I can tell you. I have ZERO additional info from you.

Please note: I am personally not going to respond any more to any "I have a MySQL error" message without:
1) a description of what you did
2) a complete screenshot of the error and its context.
Sorry. If you don't want to help me help you, then I can't help you.

Here is an updated screen shot (what it looks like after restoring a database, I tried both a backup from a few days before this started happening, and one from like 2 weeks before, which is the oldest that I have).

I have tried to search for the errno 1054 but so far have only found other people with similar problems, usually with different software. I'm not finding a generic mysql page explaining more info on the error numbers.

Here's a screen shot that shows more of the page incase that is any help.
(this is after I restored the database to one from about 2 weeks prior to attempting to upgrade).

any luck yet ?

nope my site is dead now

@rhinoman please carefully read this page I just wrote for situations like yours: http://b2evolution.net/man/installation-upgrade/faq-install-upgrade/unexpected-error-during-upgrade