Host Screwed Up My SMF Forum

[Paffman]

Long story short, my 'host' has screwed my forum up. I have done a search for what I am about to ask, but being a newbie would like to ask the age old question.....

If I install a fresh copy of SMF to my host, how can I upload a saved database backup to that fresh install or is it not that simple?

I seem to remember many years ago just installing a new SMF and uploading my saved database and I am sure that it worked, but this time I am struggling.

Many thanks for your help and sorry to bring up this old chestnut again.

Steve

[Illori]

https://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/How_to_upload_a_fresh_set_of_files

[Paffman]

Thank you for that link. I already have the virgin state of SMF, but how do I then upload my backed up database? As the fresh install of SMF has a different database name.

[Kindred]

you went about it in the wrong way...   you should have followed the instructions in the FAQ link.

However, restore your database - if you have a SMALL forum, you can probable do so in phpmyadmin (import)
if it's not fairly small, though, you may have to do so via the hosting panel restore....

or, maybe, if the original database is still there on the same host, just change the connection details in the Settings.php file from your fresh install...  and then use repair_settings.php to correct all of the URLs and paths.

[Paffman]

Thanks.

OK, I have tried to 'import' the saved database via phpmyadmin, but as the old DB is abc.sql and the fresh SFM database is a different database name, it just updates the old original DB from the screwed SMF DB.

Sorry I must be missing something here 

[njtweb]

Most hosting providers have a backup of everything, you just have to pay a fee to have it restored. Hostgator blew away 2 sites of mine, one on SMF and the other on vbulletin 4 years ago. They refused to take responsibility and charged me $110 to restore both. I paid it because there was no way I was going to win that battle. You should definitely check with them to see if they can restore your site before you go through the pain of trying to get everything set back up the way you had it.

[Paffman]

Most hosting providers have a backup of everything, you just have to pay a fee to have it restored. Hostgator blew away 2 sites of mine, one on SMF and the other on vbulletin 4 years ago. They refused to take responsibility and charged me $110 to restore both. I paid it because there was no way I was going to win that battle. You should definitely check with them to see if they can restore your site before you go through the pain of trying to get everything set back up the way you had it.

Yeah you would have thought so wouldn't you, but my 'hosts' said that they are ALL infected and can't restore. They lost ALL my websites and forums twice in two weeks!!! Got most back except this one... I won't name names, but I am ANGRY !

[Kindred]

njtweb, that is not necessary... the OP *HAS* a valid backup.


Paffman,

in phpmyadmin, you can import your backup into an existing database...   however, restoring the backup into the originally named database to a new database is fine as well.
Do that.
Then edit Settings.php in your forum root directory and enter the NEW databae info (db name, username, password) and use repair_settings.php to correct the URLs and paths form your original installation to match your new installation.


Alternatively...   get a better host.

[Paffman]

Many thanks Kindred, I will get a better host when I have sorted this mess out.

I have edited the new DB with the original DB details, just the ########## Database Info ##########

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

Then I downloaded the repair_settings.php from SMF and uploaded to my forum root dir and corrected suggested edits.

Now what ?

[Illori]

something you entered is not correct, it could be the database server, database username or password. you need to figure out which is wrong and needs to be fixed. since we dont have access to that information we cannot tell you what is wrong.

[mattizzy]

Many thanks Kindred, I will get a better host when I have sorted this mess out.

I have edited the new DB with the original DB details, just the ########## Database Info ##########

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

Then I downloaded the repair_settings.php from SMF and uploaded to my forum root dir and corrected suggested edits.

Now what ?

This could be as a result of wrong db details Settings.php

[Paffman]

Many thanks for all your help.

I now have a white page with the text and links, so the theme seems to be missing.

Here is the URL - http://oilheatingnetwork.co.uk

Steve

[SychO]

No the theme isn't missing, you have changed your domain name, so you need to change all paths

Use the Repair Settings Tool

[Paffman]

Exactly.... thank you. I have already used repair_settings (and removed it afterwards).

And manually adjusted the links to the default theme, all seems to be working now!!

Fantastic!!

Thanks to all who pointed me in the right direction, you are all awesome 

Now to move it to a reliable host. Any recommendations? 

[Paffman]

Just before I go...

What can I do to tighten up security on this forum?

Steve

[Kindred]

In what regards?   As to antispam, or with regards to hackers?

[Paffman]

In what regards?   As to antispam, or with regards to hackers?

Hackers mainly.

What permissions etc for certain .php files

Thanks.
Steve

[Kindred]

SMF has no known vulnerabilities as of 2.0.15.


Chmod 755 for directories, 644 for files is usually fine

[Paffman]

Thanks Kindred