PHP Error copying site to test server

I'm testing upgrading my store from 1.5.6 to 2.1

I've done copies of my site many times but something is going on that has me completely stumped.

1.In installed a fresh copy of 1.5.6 on my test server.

2.On my live site, phpmyadmin zip file of my database.

3. On the test server I, empty the database ofthe fresh install and upload my backed up database.

4. I get an error. I also tried a completely empty database and I still get an error.

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '?' at line 174


Any help is greatly appreciated.
Not sure if it is important. But my live site has a different host and my test site is on hostgator.