How do you switch servers and domain names?

[Club Racer]

Ok
I signed up with 1and1 a week ago, and am already having a few issues. I have not experienced any down time, but I have not had customer service get back to me at all with a few other errors I have experienced. I know they have the 90 day money back program, so I might be switching soon.

A couple questions.
1-what about the domain name? I registered it with them, how hard is it to transfer over to somewhere else? Also, could this possibly mean down time for the forum?
2-Switching servers. Is it just signing up with another company, and the uploading the files (like I did when I first started) to the new server? Would I then use the forum backup data that I save to bring back all the old threads, users etc...?

In laymans terms, here is what I want to do: Pull my data off 1and1 and put it somewhere else, without losing anything. Keep the same domain name, and if possible get my $$ back. If I cant get the $30 back for the 3 months of hosting that i paid for, its no biggie, I'll just chalk it up to experience.

Any help is appreciated. Its just that I just dont want the forum to really get big, and then start experiencing problems

[Club Racer]

I just found this local company online.
It looks like they have very competitive packages, and the best part is they are about 15 mins from where I live. There is nothing better than being able to deal with someone face to face to resolve issues IMO...
http://cincinnatiwebservices.com/plans.htm?

[Club Racer]

Gosh......
after searching the net more, and especially this site I have come to one conclusion. There is no one definite perfect web host, and you can find a 50/50 split on opinion for just about all of them. 5 people will talk about how great a company is, and 5 more will want to go burn down the building...:eek:

What is the answer? Do I just stick with 1and1 and hope for the best, and pull the plug if/when things start getting crappy?

[Jo-Ann]

I'm having the same problems. My webhost has gone down repeatedly, and customer service is virtually non-existent. If your instincts tell you to get out, get out quickkly. I wish I could tell you how, but I'm in the same boat. I'm tempted to go with one of the larger, older hosts, for safety. I just hope they can accommodate vBulletin boards.

[johnscanlan]

I have used www.lazylizard.net (http://www.lazylizard.net) for about 10 years. I use them for about 10 accounts. I have never gone down and the service is 24/7. The quality of the service is excellent with an average response time of minutes. They are a great bunch of people.

John Scanlan

[TygerTyger]

Ok
A couple questions.
1-what about the domain name? I registered it with them, how hard is it to transfer over to somewhere else? Also, could this possibly mean down time for the forum?
2-Switching servers. Is it just signing up with another company, and the uploading the files (like I did when I first started) to the new server? Would I then use the forum backup data that I save to bring back all the old threads, users etc...?

1. To the best of my memory, 1and1 do allow you to switch your domain name to someone else. However hosts often make life difficult for you when doing this, and since you've had difficulty with them already it probably won't turn out to be a walk in the park. I'm sure it can be done, but hosts often have 'cooling off periods' during which you have to have been with them for a while before you can transfer away. Check their TOS, it's reasonably clear.

2. Backup your data, and upload your files and your backup gear to the new server. Then change your nameserver configuration for the domain to point to the new server. Provided you do this before your old hosting account runs out and is deleted, the switch will be literally one to the other without downtime, though of course any posts made after backing up and switching across will be lost and resumed once the nameserver change has propogated.