Thank you for the additional information.
Unfortunately, an error 500 is a rather generic error message generated by the web server (rather than an error message specifically displayed by Showkase) that can cover a multitude of problems.
Also, a lot has changed between v1.3.4 and the current version (v1.6.1) so I'm not sure what might be causing your problem. (Please see the Version History for a list of changes between version.)
However, here are a few things to check and try.
(1) Please try installing and running the Showkase Server Compatibility Test to check that your server has all the features Showkase needs.
Even if you ran the test before installing Showkase, please try again in case your web host has made any changes recently.
If any of the tests fail, then it might give us a clue as to the nature of the problem. (Also, there are troubleshooting tips in the link above.)
(2) Try contacting your web host to ask if they have made any changes recently or are currently experiencing any issues which might be contributing to your problem.
(3) Try running Showkase in debug mode to see if a more informative error message is displayed in the Showkase status bar when (or before) the problem occurs.
Open your 'showkase/admin/settings/constants.php' file in a plain text editor and change line 12 from:
define('DEBUG', false);... to:
define('DEBUG', true);Please note that the line number above refers to the current version of Showkase (v1.6.1).
(4) Try reinstalling Showkase following the upgrade instructions here using v1.6.1. Something may have happened during your initial upgrade attempt which resulted in corrupt files on your web server. Following the upgrade process should (as long as it is successful) replace all Showkase core files (whilst retaining all your existing pages and settings) so if you currently have any corrupt files, then this should fix them.
(5) Try installing a fresh Showkase v1.6.1 site (in a new subdirectory of its own so that it is completely self-contained and does not interfere with your existing site) to see if the problem happens with this new site. This should let us know whether or not the problem is unique to your original Showkase site.
Hopefully the suggestions above will help or at least point you in the right direction.
Please let me know how you get on and if you need any further assistance.