Backing up and restoring database help needed urgently!!!

[X-Fan]

G'day all,

I'm needing some serious help with backing up my database on my old host and restoring it at my new host. The problem I'm facing is that I can't telnet in to my old host (despite numerous requests to their tech support) and backing up via the vBulletin admin keeps timing out.

My database is at least 20 meg in size, and that's far too big dor me to be able to download then upload on my crappy 56k connection.

So how on earth am I going to be able to transfer the database? It's the last step that I need to do before I can reopen the site at the new host, and as my site is a content one that reports news, time is of the essence!!!!

[Steve Machol]

Unfortunately if the old host doesn't allow telnet or ssh, then you'll need to ask them to make the backup for you. Good luck!

[P.S. The moral of this stroy is to avoid hosts that don't allow telnet/ssh.]

[X-Fan]

Originally posted by smachol
Unfortunately if the old host doesn't allow telnet or ssh, then you'll need to ask them to make the backup for you. Good luck!

[P.S. The moral of this stroy is to avoid hosts that don't allow telnet/ssh.]

Oh they allow it; they just wouldn't help me resolve the problems I was having logging in!

Anyway, I managed to get a backup done through the vBulletin admin by clearing the search index and then backing up (yeah, yeah - I know! LOL!). Just uploading it to the new host now so fingers crossed all goes smoothly!

[Steve Machol]

That's smart. You can always reindex. Just make sure the backup works first though!

[X-Fan]

Originally posted by smachol
That's smart. You can always reindex. Just make sure the backup works first though!

Oh, of course. I'll know in about 30 minutes once its finished uploading...

[Polinco]

How does one check that the database works, Steve?

There are at least 6 threads here that deal with sql database backups but as far as I can tell not one actually goes through a complete session of backing up, restoring AND reactivating a vb forum after that.

Even the manual is remarably mum about this.
Please see my other post in a similar thread (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58786).

[Steve Machol]

After restoring the database all you need to do to 'reactivate' it is access your forums and see if they work.

Polinco, to get vB support on these forums you first need to be a licensed customer and register for Priority Forum Support. To do this, please click HERE (http://www.vbulletin.com/members/forums.php) and enter your email address in one of the boxes. You'll need to have your customer number and password to access the page.

If you still have problems after doing this, send an email to support@vbulletin.com. Please include your user name, then email address you registered with and your customer number so we can fix the problem.

[Polinco]

...to get vB support on these forums you first need to be a licensed customer and register for Priority Forum Support.I AM licensed and I HAVE registered for Priority Forum Support at least three times before. Is that information stored in a database on your end or in cookies on my end? I am asking because it is inconvenient that I have to do that every time I have a question because I do not like keeping such details on my system for others to find and having to enter it every time I come here means delays and distractions. It kinda defeats the very reason for having things automated, doesn't it?

Anyway... I tried the forum as I detailed in the other message and I got a database error. Now what?

[Steve Machol]

For most people they only need to do this once. The only reason I can see for this to change is if you changed the email address on your user account here.

As for the error in the other thread, it would have been helpful if you had: (a) started a new thread about your problem instead of tagging on to someone else's and (b) posted the exact error message.

However if I understand you correctly you restored a 2.2.8 database on a forum with 2.3.3 files. You will need to run the appropriate upgrade scripts to upgrade the db to 2.3.3. See the instructions here:

http://www.vbulletin.com/members/upgrade.html

[Polinco]

Thanks. Now that is a reply I can use :D

I did as you explained and the forum is working now... Thanks a bunch!

Sorry for all the confusion, I thought that opening a new thread about a probem for which there were already several threads open was frowned upon. But ok, I shall do that in the future.