How to join 2 Data bases ?

[BillDB]

Hello to all:
Any professional opinion on how to join 2 data bases ?
giving the following conditions :
1. Live forum is running old data base (9 months old)
2. Recovered data base (idling as it is not live) but relatively current (1-2 weeks old)
3. Threads/posts are being added to #1 above while #2 is lagging behind.
4. #1 VB version= 3.8.4
5. #2 VB version= 4.0
( I know I cannot role it back to 3.8)

The amazing part:

1. Reuploaded/installed 3.8.4 connected test forum to database #2
thus recovered all members/all post.
special thanks to Steve's heroic tech support.
2. The last table in the recovered data base (word)
was missing after importing the dump; It was added manually.
3. On the test forum: recovered data is live and does work with 3.8 !

Next?
A safe way to join both live forum & recovered
please have in mind the detailed conditions above;
& yes recovered cpanel shows 3.8.4; while tables got altered by 4.0

Regards
Bill

[Trevor Hannant]

The big problem you're going to have is that new threads/posts will have been added to the 'recovered database' while the current live one is static and now vice-versa. This will likely create duplication in thread ids and post ids.

Try setting up a test site using a copy of your current live database, download Impex and try moving threads/posts from the recovered forum to the live copy. This will let you see if that will work or not (or if anyone who's used it can confirm either way?!).

[BillDB]

The big problem you're going to have is that new threads/posts will have been added to the 'recovered database' while the current live one is static and now vice-versa. This will likely create duplication in thread ids and post ids.

Many thanks Trevster for your quick replies as usual .
Yes I am not certain if impex will allow to import twice?
One import to join; 2nd import as final?

thinking loud with you:
On test forum:
vb= copy of live forum.
vb2= copy of recovered forum.
Impex :
PRIOR to import: what IF I change forum IDs to higher numbers?
AFTER import: delete impex usergroups?
Wouldn't higher ID numbers take care of duplications ?
&
impex usergroups deletion will force a default to forum orginal groups?

Best regards