Need to Install SMF From Scratch Using Backup GZ File

[LordoftheJoust]

SMF Version: SMF 1.0.7
Here's the deal. My server company competely deleted my entire forum and its SQL databases. They are completely gone, and the data is retrievable. Now, I managed to make a GZ file backup through SMF two months before the deletion. I want to know what I should do to get my SMF back from just this backup file.

How do I get everything fixed?

[青山 素子]

Upload a clean install of SMF, edit Settings.php to have the correct database information, check your directory permissions, then use that backup file to restore the database. phpMyAdmin is good for that purpose.

[LordoftheJoust]

Upload a clean install of SMF, edit Settings.php to have the correct database information, check your directory permissions, then use that backup file to restore the database. phpMyAdmin is good for that purpose.

Can you give me step by step help?

[青山 素子]

• Download SMF from the download page. You will want the install package.
• Install SMF using the install instructions. This will make sure your files have the right permissions.
• Restore the backup you made using phpMyAdmin or another SQL tool

That should get the basics back up. If you had any mods, you will need to re-install them. Same for themes. If your default theme was a non-standard one, the forums will look odd. You can re-set the theme to one of the included ones while you are getting the other ones working.

[LordoftheJoust]

• Download SMF from the download page. You will want the install package.
• Install SMF using the install instructions. This will make sure your files have the right permissions.
• Restore the backup you made using phpMyAdmin or another SQL tool

That should get the basics back up. If you had any mods, you will need to re-install them. Same for themes. If your default theme was a non-standard one, the forums will look odd. You can re-set the theme to one of the included ones while you are getting the other ones working.

I downloaded SMF and did the installation. The problem is my new host won't allow me to have a database called SMF. They will only allow me to have one that is different. It also won't let me to use this backup. I'm not sure why. Is there a way to install the backup using SMF?

[青山 素子]

I downloaded SMF and did the installation. The problem is my new host won't allow me to have a database called SMF. They will only allow me to have one that is different. It also won't let me to use this backup. I'm not sure why. Is there a way to install the backup using SMF?

You don't need the database to have that name. Just adjust Settings.php to match the database account info. I'm not sure what you mean by them not allowing you to use the backup.

[LordoftheJoust]

I downloaded SMF and did the installation. The problem is my new host won't allow me to have a database called SMF. They will only allow me to have one that is different. It also won't let me to use this backup. I'm not sure why. Is there a way to install the backup using SMF?

You don't need the database to have that name. Just adjust Settings.php to match the database account info. I'm not sure what you mean by them not allowing you to use the backup.

What do I adjust in settings.php?

[青山 素子]

$db_server, $db_name, $db_user, $db_passwd

[jerm]

http://docs.simplemachines.org
That site will help you out with installing smf.
You can call the database something other than smf if you like.

[LordoftheJoust]

Thanks to a couple hours of Motoko-chan personally helping me through MSN and the like, the problem has been resolved. If I was an internet version of Congress, Motoko would have receieved a Medal of Honor. It would not have been possible without that help.