Forum not working

[kim_c]

I could really use some help please. My SMF forum will not load.
Both my settings.php and settings_bak.php are both showing 0 bytes
I have tried using my latest back up from the 22nd Dec when the forum last worked, but it hasn't changed anything, settings are still empty and forum still doesn't load.
I opened a ticket with my host (lunarpages) which was passed on to admin over 2 days ago and still waiting for a reply
I have tried tonight to run the repair settings tool, but am getting errors..........

Some settings are not being shown because the database connection information is incorrect.
Check your database login details, table prefix and that the database actually contains your SMF tables.

I tried filling it in to best of my knowledge, but I'm obviously doing something wrong

[vbgamer45]

Download a settings.php from the SMF downloads section
https://download.simplemachines.org/

The main thing is enter your database information and website domain. The rest you leave as is till you have your site working.

[Kindred]

do you have a backup?

There is a known issue with all versions prior to 2.1 -- it doesn't happen often, but it can erase your settings.php (as you noticed)

if you don't have a backup to restore, then get the clean copy, as vbgamer says... put the database info in...  put the path and URL in... and that should restore the forum to working state

[kim_c]

Thank you for your replies, but I'm completely out of my depth here. I have no idea what to do with the clean copy? Sorry for sounding thick, but will this erase all the posts?

[vbgamer45]

No your database is separate from the files.
Just copy the settings.php file only from the download zip file

[kim_c]

Ok I have uploaded the settings and bak file.
I have tried opening the forum and now instead of a blank page I am seeing this

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

Do I need to try running the repair tool again?

[vbgamer45]

Yes run it and adjust the information as needed

What is repair_settings.php?

[kim_c]

I'm still getting errors with the repair tool, sorry to be a pain
Which of these do I need to fill in please?
Attached pic

[vbgamer45]

You will need to fill in your database username and password and database name.
You can get from cpanel or contact your host.

[kim_c]

Thank you, cpanel will have to do as my host is ignoring me 

So the user name and password I use to log into cpanel? Or my forum?

[vbgamer45]

no, it would be the database username and information found in cpanel/mysql databases.
If you need help you can pm information and will fix it.

[kim_c]

I have no idea what that is lol. I will PM you

[vbgamer45]

Should be back now. Make sure you close any open ticket/request with your host.

[kim_c]

Thank you, yes I will