Someone moved Forum - Crash

[Siirist]

Yup 3 day old forum (ver 2.0.13),

It's all gone - in theory.

They used the cPanel "full" back-up and moved the entire site to another host.

Forum loaded, however, click on Admin and a box pops up asking if you want to save or view "index.php" using browser.

Then I tried "SMF Repair_Settings.php" - wouldn't load.

Then I went into PhpAdmin on the new server and looked at the database, the tables and files were present.

Then PhpAdmin "Check Database" which showed all files as "Ok".

Then PhpAdmin "Repair Database" in case I missed something in the list of files that all seemed to say "Ok".

Then I tried "SMF Check_Files.php" - white screen of death.

Then I renamed Forum folder to Forum-old, and renamed Forum database to Forum-old

Then I created a new database, new database user, and new folder at the root.

Then I un-zipped, and uploaded all the files and folders from "smf_2-0-13_install"

Then I typed www.example.com/Forum/install.php - FAILED (see attachment)

Then I created the Forum on MY server without issues, however, I do not have the Settings (permissions and membergroups), Categories, Boards, Posts, or Mods.

It is not desired to have the Forum on MY server, but we need a support forum up.

I do have several "forum-complete_2017-03-31.sql.gz" with different dates.

Thoughts?

Thank you in advance for your help with this,
Siirist

[Arantor]

So you moved it to a host that doesn't have PHP. No amount of magic can fix this, find a host that has PHP.

[Siirist]

So you moved it to a host that doesn't have PHP. No amount of magic can fix this, find a host that has PHP.

Thank you for replying Arantor,   

I didn't move it, the person that is the business owner supposedly worked everything out with the new provider before purchasing a Reseller Plan, moved everything from the previous provider to the current.

I am a client that knows some things, and so he has almost made me a business partner.

Logged into the new provider cPanel and found:

Item                                            Detail
Hosting Package                            r1000s
Server Name                                   server
cPanel Version                           62.0 (build 17)
Apache Version                           2.4.25
PHP Version                                   5.6.30
MySQL Version                           10.1.22-MariaDB
Architecture                                   x86_64
Operating System                           linux
Shared IP Address                          xxx.xxx.245.2
Path to Sendmail                           /usr/sbin/sendmail
Path to Perl                                   /usr/bin/perl
Perl Version                                   5.10.1
Kernel Version                                  2.6.32-642.el6.x86_64

Which seems to indicate that PHP is present.  *scratches head*

I am tempted to contact the new provider myself (through support) and see if this can be "fixed".

SIDE NOTE: I see that he has a Re-seller on a shared server, should I suck it up and purchase a VPS or Dedicated server and have everything moved to a "more secure" situation? (I don't think that a business should have multiple clients on a shared server)

Again, I know you are far more experienced, so I desire your thoughts, again.

Thanks,
Siirist

[Arantor]

Well, even if the server has PHP installed, it's configured not to run wherever SMF's files have been dropped.

Your guy should talk to the hosting company because something is wrong there, and going to a VPS isn't necessary.

[Siirist]

Thank you again.

I will have him contact the provider.

I thought that if I was serving (hosting) more than 10 clients that I would want (at least) VPS with a Dedicated IP and a SSL certificate to protect my clients "interests".

Kindly,
Siirist

[Arantor]

You don't need a VPS to use SSL, at least not if your host is competent.

I have SSL running on shared hosting without any problems but I know the host is competent.

[Siirist]

Very well, thank you for that knowledge.

Lastly,

Is there anything that I can do with the Admin > Forum Maintenance > Database > "Download a backup copy of your forums database in case of emergency", or or is that method of back-up completely useless.

I do still have the old database that was renamed Forum-old.

Siirist

[Steve]

It's not completely useless nor is it completely reliable. My backups are always made via cPanel.

[Siirist]

It's not completely useless nor is it completely reliable. My backups are always made via cPanel.

Steve 

Hope you are doing well. 

Okay, so how can I utilize xxxxx_forum-complete_2017-03-31.sql.gz

Thanks in advance

Kindly,
Siirist

[Siirist]

This is not solved, Forum is still just General Category, General Discussion, "Welcome to SMF!". 

Have the database back-up  xxxxx_forum-complete_2017-03-31.sql.gz  - Don't know how to use it.

Have original database renamed as forum-old - don't want to just overwrite current and have that ruin the original db.

Have original folder /forum/ - not sure that overwriting with the old folder would be a good thing.

Need to do something but don't want to post 150 posts again. 

Please help 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Sounds like a new install that's running a scratch database.  You need to import the database backup into the new database.

[Siirist]

Thank you Sir

Sounds like a new install that's running a scratch database. 

Agreed. 

You need to import the database backup into the new database.

I looked at the Online Manual and didn't find how that is done.

How do I do that?   

Thanks in advance,
Siirist

[Colin]

If your host has a control panel such as cPanel look and see if a tool called PHPMYADMIN is installed. You can import a dump using this web GUI.

You can find more info about the tool here: https://www.phpmyadmin.net

If you don't have PHPMYADMIN installed, but have access to a shell you can use the mysql CLI to import a database dump ex:

Code Select Expand

mysql -u [username] -p newdatabase < [dump archive name].sql

[Siirist]

Thanks Colin

Well, I have a extra forum I created yesterday, that is fresh clean install.
It is the perfect testing ground. Here is what I did.

I logged into my cPanel, went to phpMyAdmin, and followed these instructions:
    In phpMyAdmin, select your database from the list on the left.
    Click on "Import" from the top set of tabs.
    Click on the "Choose File" button.
    Browse to your local SQL file and click "Open." ... (kdtech5_forum-complete_2017-03-31-1009.sql.gz)
    Click the "Go" button towards the bottom of the page.

See attached screenshot to verify that it was imported.

See attached screenshot to verify that nothing changed.
There should be multiple Categories, Boards, and Posts

I have these other gz back-ups:
xxx_forum-complete_2017-03-18.sql
xxx_forum-complete_2017-03-19.sql
xxx_forum-complete_2017-03-20.sql
xxx_forum-complete_2017-03-29.sql
xxx_forum-complete_2017-03-31.sql
xxx_forum-complete_2017-03-31-0900.sql
xxx_forum-complete_2017-03-31-1000.sql

Should I just keep trying them in reverse order?

I also have the original database that was renamed from "forum" to "forum-old"

I await your thoughts.

Thank you,
Siirist

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Check your Settings.php, see if the $db_prefix is correct.  Your db is not using smf_ default prefix.

[Siirist]

Check your Settings.php, see if the $db_prefix is correct.  Your db is not using smf_ default prefix.

Thank you Sir

Here's what I have.

Code Select Expand


########## Database Info ##########
$db_type = 'mysql';
$db_server = 'localhost';
$db_name = 'kdtech5_forum';
$db_user = 'kdtech5_admin';
$db_passwd = 'xxxxxxxx!';
$ssi_db_user = '';
$ssi_db_passwd = '';
$db_prefix = 'smf_';
$db_persist = 0;
$db_error_send = 0;

########## Directories/Files ##########
# Note: These directories do not have to be changed unless you move things.
$boarddir = '/home/kdtech5/public_html/forum'; # The absolute path to the forum's folder. (not just '.'!)
$sourcedir = '/home/kdtech5/public_html/forum/Sources'; # Path to the Sources directory.
$cachedir = '/home/kdtech5/public_html/forum/cache'; # Path to the cache directory.

########## Error-Catching ##########
# Note: You shouldn't touch these settings.
$db_last_error = 0;


# Make sure the paths are correct... at least try to fix them.
if (!file_exists($boarddir) && file_exists(dirname(__FILE__) . '/agreement.txt'))
$boarddir = dirname(__FILE__);
if (!file_exists($sourcedir) && file_exists($boarddir . '/Sources'))
$sourcedir = $boarddir . '/Sources';
if (!file_exists($cachedir) && file_exists($boarddir . '/cache'))
$cachedir = $boarddir . '/cache';

?>


Going to try using phpMyAdmin to reach "forum-old" database;
export the database;
import the database to my test forum.

Will advise.

RESULTS:
I went to the test database, clicked on import,
browsed to find
kdtech5_forum.sql which is a sql file, so the import may have seen kdtech5_forum.sql.sql
clicked on "Go"
**************************************
Error

SQL query:

-- -- Dumping data for table `smf_admin_info_files` -- INSERT INTO `smf_admin_info_files` (`id_file`, `filename`, `path`, `parameters`, `data`, `filetype`) VALUES (1, 'current-version.js', '/smf/', 'version=%3$s', 'window.smfVersion = "SMF 2.0.13";', 'text/javascript'), (2, 'detailed-version.js', '/smf/', 'language=%1$s&version=%3$s', 'window.smfVersions = {\n ''SMF'': ''SMF 2.0.13'',\n ''SourcesAdmin.php'': ''2.0.12'',\n ''SourcesBoardIndex.php'': ''2.0'',\n ''SourcesCalendar.php'': ''2.0.12'',\n ''SourcesClass-Graphics.php'': ''2.0'',\n ''SourcesClass-Package.php'': ''2.0.8'',\n ''SourcesDbExtra-mysql.php'': ''2.0'',\n ''SourcesDbExtra-postgresql.php'': ''2.0'',\n ''SourcesDbExtra-sqlite.php'': ''2.0'',\n ''SourcesDbPackages-mysql.php'': ''2.0.12'',\n ''SourcesDbPackages-postgresql.php'': ''2.0.10'',\n ''SourcesDbPackages-sqlite.php'': ''2.0'',\n ''SourcesDbSearch-mysql.php'': ''2.0'',\n ''SourcesDbSearch-postgresql.php'': ''2.0.7'',\n ''SourcesDbSearch-sqlite.php'': ''2.0.7'',\n [...]

MySQL said: Documentation
#1062 - Duplicate entry '1' for key 'PRIMARY'[/color]
**************************************

I am suspecting that I have to delete the test forum's current database before I import the "new" database.
Is this so?

Thanks again,
Siirist

[Kindred]

Don't delete the database... but do drop all the ,existing tables before importing

[Siirist]

Don't delete the database... but do drop all the ,existing tables before importing

Kindred 

Went to phpMyAdmin for the test forum,
clicked on Structure,
it showed all the Tables in the database,
I went to the bottom of the page and selected "All"
and then from the DropDown Menu for "With Selected" chose "Drop".

There was a red warning screen that said "Are you sure you want to drop . . . " followed by a list of tables, I clicked on yes. (forgot to get a screenshot) 

I imported the kdtech5_forum.sql

Crashed. Bummer. 

See Attachments.

So, go back, and
1) delete the database,
2) delete the "forum" folder,
3) build a new database,
4) install "smf_2-0-13_install"
(which will build a fresh and clean test forum)

5) return here for other possible ways to somehow get the forum back the way it was before the move?

I await your thoughts and Thank you to everyone for their ideas.

Kindly,
Siirist

[Sir Osis of Liver]

$db_prefix = 'smf_'; in your Settings.php is incorrect, it must be the same as the enormously long prefix in the imported tables.  Forum is looking for smf_settings, not the blahblahblahsettings table in your imported database.  Change $db_prefix in Settings.php to the string you see in the imported table names up to 'settings', or you can change the prefix to smf_ using phpmyadmin (not recommended ).

[Siirist]

$db_prefix = 'smf_'; in your Settings.php is incorrect, it must be the same as the enormously long prefix in the imported tables.  Forum is looking for smf_settings, not the blahblahblahsettings table in your imported database.  Change $db_prefix in Settings.php to the string you see in the imported table names up to 'settings', or you can change the prefix to smf_ using phpmyadmin (not recommended ).

Thank you for your reply Sir,

Apparently I posted the database info for the forum-old and not the "test" forum.

Here is the correct database info for the "test"  forum.

Code Select Expand

########## Database Info ##########
$db_type = 'mysql';
$db_server = 'localhost';
$db_name = 'asanctua_HFY-Forum';
$db_user = 'asanctua_kdtech5';
$db_passwd = 'xxxxxxxxxxx';
$ssi_db_user = '';
$ssi_db_passwd = '';
$db_prefix = 'smf_asanctua_HFYForum';
$db_persist = 0;
$db_error_send = 0;

########## Directories/Files ##########
# Note: These directories do not have to be changed unless you move things.
$boarddir = '/home1/asanctua/public_html/HFYForum'; # The absolute path to the forum's folder. (not just '.'!)
$sourcedir = '/home1/asanctua/public_html/HFYForum/Sources'; # Path to the Sources directory.
$cachedir = '/home1/asanctua/public_html/HFYForum/cache'; # Path to the cache directory.

########## Error-Catching ##########
# Note: You shouldn't touch these settings.
$db_last_error = 0;


# Make sure the paths are correct... at least try to fix them.
if (!file_exists($boarddir) && file_exists(dirname(__FILE__) . '/agreement.txt'))
$boarddir = dirname(__FILE__);
if (!file_exists($sourcedir) && file_exists($boarddir . '/Sources'))
$sourcedir = $boarddir . '/Sources';
if (!file_exists($cachedir) && file_exists($boarddir . '/cache'))
$cachedir = $boarddir . '/cache';
?>


Here's a link to the test forum.

I don't know what I did wrong, but I don't think that recovering a forum should be this difficult.   

As Ever,
Siirist

[Sir Osis of Liver]

If you can pm access to your host control panel, I'll have a look tonight.  Need to know which is the original database, if it's still accessible, and/or where are the backups?  It's not difficult to recover a forum (everything's easy if you know how to do it), but something's not right and it's difficult to determine from here.

[Kindred]

It is not difficult ... i have done it over 100 times, usually in less than 10 mins


There is something wrong with your process.
See the instructions on how to move a forum in the wiki. Same process.

[Siirist]

If you can pm access to your host control panel, I'll have a look tonight.  Need to know which is the original database, if it's still accessible, and/or where are the backups?  It's not difficult to recover a forum (everything's easy if you know how to do it), but something's not right and it's difficult to determine from here.

Thank you Sir

Sent you a pm with the database name, username, username password, and access to cPanel and phpMyAdmin.

Siirist

[Siirist]

It is not difficult ... i have done it over 100 times, usually in less than 10 mins

I know, right?!

There is something wrong with your process.
See the instructions on how to move a forum in the wiki. Same process.

Yeah, I wasn't the one who moved it, so yeah . . .

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Ok, it's up and running.  Was unable to import the sql, duplicate primary error, but the gz zip imported ok.  Take a look and see if everything's there.

[Colin]

Wahoo, nice going.

[Siirist]

Ok, it's up and running.  Take a look and see if everything's there.

You Sir, are AWESOME!!   

I replied to your PM, and asked if it would be beneficial to post what you did here before marking this as solved, because,

I still don't know:
How to do whatever it was you did to "recover" the forum database;
or
the proper method to back-up a forum (I know that I can go to Admin > Forum Maintenance > Database > Backup Database > "Download a backup copy of your forums database in case of emergency.
ticked Save the table structure.
ticked Save the table data (the important stuff).
ticked Compress the file with gzip.

But what to do with this after I save it . . .

Was unable to import the sql, duplicate primary error, but the gz zip imported ok. 

1) Does this mean that I always have to go to phpMyAdmin and then import the gz zip?

2) And what about what Kindred said,

Don't delete the database... but do drop all the ,existing tables before importing

Filled with appreciation,
Siirist

[Illori]

you should not backup a database from the admin panel. you should use phpmyadmin or similar.

[Siirist]

you should not backup a database from the admin panel. you should use phpmyadmin or similar.

Found Backing up your Database in the Online Manual (under Backup), though it also has the information on how to restore.
I get the backing up part. Though the restore is "challenging".

If you cannot restore the database, you should verify that the .sql file you have obtained has proper SQL syntax and commands inside it (to CREATE your tables and INSERT data into them, it may also DROP old tables before creating new ones). Make sure it it looks complete (CREATE and INSERT for all your SMF tables), before assuming that it is a good backup. Spot check a few tables to see if all their data is in the backup (note that the order of records may differ between the database "browse" display and what is in the backup file).

If you used phpMyAdmin it may end with: /*!40101 SET CHARACTER_SET_CLIENT=@OLD_CHARACTER_SET_CLIENT */;
/*!40101 SET CHARACTER_SET_RESULTS=@OLD_CHARACTER_SET_RESULTS */;
/*!40101 SET COLLATION_CONNECTION=@OLD_COLLATION_CONNECTION */;

Wait, what?!

and

Restoring your Database with phpMyAdmin
To restore your backed-up database, you do exactly the same as to back up, except that instead of clicking "Export", you click "Import". You then navigate to your backup file by clicking "Choose" under "Location of the text file".

Don't delete the database... but do drop all the ,existing tables before importing

Hmmm . . . .

Siirist

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Just on for a minute, be back tonight, but basically it appears you have a number of backups, all of which are different.  Guessing that someone tried to 'fix' the database when the initial import didn't work, a really bad idea if you don't know what you're doing.   The gzip imported cleanly, all tables have default smf_ prefix, just had to fix $db_prefix in Settings.php, ran repair_settings.php, and it worked.  Minor problem with DeepBlue theme, reinstalled it and looks ok.  Will see what the backup options are in your cpanel, but don't expect much with that host.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Looking around your cpanel, you have three options for database backup:

database tools -> phpmyadmin - you can export any db to your local computer.

files -> Site Backup Pro - it's supposed to backup all your files and databases daily.

advanced -> Cron Jobs - this takes some doing to set up auto backups, but it should work.


phpmyadmin requires manual backup of each db, you would have to remember to do it regularly.  It's usually pretty reliable, until your db gets up around 20-30mb or so, then it may timeout without error on some hosts, and you end up with an incomplete backup (same problem as with SMF admin backup, for similar reasons).  If you backup religiously, and always do each db twice and confirm file size is same, this is an ok option.

Site Backup Pro is supposed to do daily backups, but appears to be screwed up.  For reasons unknown, it is not displaying the db for the new forum install, but is showing the others.  Looks like you get only the one most recent backup. so if the db breaks and you don't pick up on it right away, you're out of luck.  You have the basic version, with an option to upgrade to Pro version ($).  You can take this up with host support.

Cron Jobs are supported, this might be best way to go.  No way to know how reliable it is on a crappy host until you try it.


My host runs a cpanel backup utility that backs up all files and databases daily, and keeps past 30 days available for download or restore.  In addition, I have cron jobs running that do daily db backups and save past 30 days to a directory in my account.  I'm comfortable with that.


¡Oofah! Just looked at your host's rates, you're paying waaaaay too much for what you're getting.

[Siirist]

Looking around YOUR cpanel

Wow, thank you SO MUCH Sir! 

Will likely go with phpMyAdmin option. 

Regarding cost, the service is paid through July 2017.

I have looked around at other providers and will make the transition in July.

A factor that is unseen is that I am hosting 17 websites with this provider. 

Reason for transition is more about getting a few dedicated IPs and Shared SSL (which will move to individual SSL by year-end)

Again, Thank You So Very Much,
Siirist
PS - Marked as solved

[Steve]

PS - Marked as solved

It wasn't but it is now.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

If we're done, get rid of the Sir Osis admin account, sirosis FTP account, and change your host account password.

Good luck!

[Shambles]

Nice one, liver boy.

[Steve]

Indeed.