Trying to move SMF to new Host, failing miserably

[moonrise]

I installed SMF into mysite.com/forum

I uploaded all the files from public_html from my current provider, to public_html/forum at new provider (new provider already has a main site-mysite.com)

I saved everything from the Database/tables from my site, it saved it into a mysq file.

When wanting to upload the new database info, where does it go? So far, everywhere I try to upload it, I just get an error.

It is called mystical_8Cj6Psm
There are already databases at the new site. The SMF one is
underthe_smf1

Should I have skipped using the install feature on my cPanel to install SMF on the new site and instead just uploaded the full public_html to the root of my current site ....
Ive tried going into my settings.php and changing the urls etc, but theres still nothing.

[Matthew K.]

Try running What is repair_settings.php?

[moonrise]

I did.
I uploaded it to the root of the forum... the section which has settings.php
I mean I can see it in the files, but I cant access it in the browser. I get:

Internal Server Error

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

[Matthew K.]

What are the permissions set to for repair_settings.php?

[moonrise]

777.
I need to start over though. I've made such a mess.
When I first installed it, it was showing up, but it was not in the folder with settings.php
When I viewed it online, it said it could not show all info because the database was not connected....I then went about trying to install the database. Long story short, I need to start over. I've been working at this since 6am, and getting kind of depressed over my lack of tech-savvy know how, lol. I have read all the links and all the docs and it all seems like french to me, so to break it down:

I have an established (tho slow) forum at mysticalmundane.com

I want to transfer the domain name and everything over to the host I am using for my defunct online store. I have already paid for a year of service for the store site, and so rather than paying monthly for the forum, Id like to move the forum to this other host so that I am without monthly payments for a year.

So, before I go deleting my current forum, I want to get it all set up at terraspiritessentials.ca (/forum) Then, the matter of changing domain names by my host is simple enough for him to do, as is changing the url from .ca/forum to simply the main root. However my host has NO clue about SMF, or any other message board.

I know this is tiresome, Ive read countless other problems from people, noobs like myself who can't figure this out, so I feel SO stupid asking it again, but im just so lost!

I apologize.

[moonrise]

Okay, I uninstalled SMF and deleted the database
Reinstalled SMF via the installer thingy and allowed it to create the new database. underthe_smf1
I uploaded repair.settings.php to the forum root
It is now displaying properly, with all info...
However, now what do I do?
The Mysql file that I downloaded, Where do I upload that to?
And the HTML_Public.... for the forum, do I upload contents to /Forum?

[busterone]

Use your hosting control panel database manager, most likely phpMyAdmin to import the saved db into the new db.

[moonrise]

I have done that, but I get varied errors.

In the tutorials it says  that the database has to have the same names.

Also, where do I upload all the files to? the public_html from the old site? Using filezilla, I tried uploading the contents into /forum on the new site, but 6000 files later, and nothing happened.

The database im importing is mystical_8Cj6Psm-complete_2011-02-04 the database that was created during the installation of SMF was called underthe_smf01 (or something similar to that. )

[JimM]

Have you looked at these links? 

How do I move my SMF forum to a different host?
How do I backup my SMF forum?
How do I backup my database?
How do I restore a database backup?

From reading your first post, all you needed to do was import the database, then upload and run repair_settings.php.

[moonrise]

Yes, as I said above, I have gone through those steps, they are bookmarked. I just don't understand how to do it.
It says to make sure the DB has the same name, however I can't create the same name because the prefix in the other db is prechosen.
I've pretty much given up for now because it's way too frustrating. I spent all day on it with no success, just error messages.

[flapjack]

shoot me a PM, I'll give you a hand with this

[JimM]

Is this issue solved or do you still require assistance?

[moonrise]

Sorry. I think I've just given up. I'll stay where I am with the current host. I apologize.

[JimM]

Not sure where you read that the database name had to be the same, but it's the database prefix that needs to be the same.  Many host have a strict naming pattern and having a restriction on the database name would cause some issues.  I'll go ahead and mark this topic as solved for now.  If you decide to attempt this again and want to unmark it, feel free to do so.