SMF was unable to connect to database

[Timeline]

I continue to get this message when I try to enter my board:

hxxp:www.linkedexistence.com/forum/index.php [nonactive]

Connection Problems
Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later.

This message has been up for at least the last 14 hours.  Any idea what I should do?  Or should I just wait?

[Trekkie101]

MySQL may have crashed but as you says its been 14 hours thats quite a bit, you may wish to check Settings.php and make sure all your settings are there and look correct.

Else Run:
What is repair_settings.php?

[Timeline]

MySQL may have crashed but as you says its been 14 hours thats quite a bit, you may wish to check Settings.php and make sure all your settings are there and look correct.

Else Run:
What is repair_settings.php?

Thank you so much    I am trying it out now

[regmisk]

I am having the same problem since yesterday and don't know how to find solution. Please help me- guide me in simple language.

[Trekkie101]

Its basically like the board cant access the messages.

So either the messages database has had a crash, which really should be only a minute to repair and fix is down, either that or someone changed some important settings for SMF to connect, the settings are stored in Settings.php and if its blank or screwed up you need to fill it back out, done by running Repair settings (the link above)

[regmisk]

I found the solution just now!
The problem was created when I changed the password of my cpanel.
I uploaded repair_settings.php and then changed the password (changed to the new password of cpanel- making both same) and changed the sources directory to the recommended one. Then my forum opened.
Thanks to the repair_settings.php