trying to restore after moving hosts

I realise I can change the name servers back to my original host long enough export a backup, but that would bring my top level site down, not ideal. And the name servers are locked now for x number of days until the domain re-registers….

you cannot generate a mysql backup using your ftp client, no.

I guess I need to modify the mySQL or wp-config.php?

ya think?

did you create a new database on your new host?

https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Moving_WordPress#Moving_WordPress_to_a_New_Server

why dont you contact your old host, and ask them to create a mysql backup for you. They might charge you but you wont do all of this wrong again then, after being charged. (heh)

That or ask if they can provide the temporary url for your domain — one that will allow you to get into cpanel or phpmyadmin.

thanks for your response

I’m not actually trying to create a mySQL backup by FTP, but export a WP backup by FTP, which I guess is not possible…

from the link you provided:
“Note: If you are changing to a new server but same domain, all you need to do is edit wp-config.php and upload everything as it is to your new server. “

that’s what I want to do. But no idea how to do it.
I did create a new database on my new host at one stage, thinking I could just upload the wp-content directory, but that didn’t work. Sorry if I am unclear, I feel totally out of my depth here ??

I’m not actually trying to create a mySQL backup by FTP, but export a WP backup by FTP, which I guess is not possible…

semantics. I KNOW what you asked to do — you cant.

“You generate a backup…”

1. you create a new database.
2. you create a user to go with the database.
3. that user gets a password.

those 3 bits on info will go in your NEW wp-config.php along with the mysql host info.

Notice thats just like what you do when you install?

thats what you need to do. without a database backup, thats all you can do, at that point.

if you have a site that google has indexed heavily, you can try to to pick content out of google’s cache for your site.

its about the only option without a backup.

thanks again.

If I understand correctly, this is what I should do:

1. Clear out the wordpress files I already FTP uploaded to the folder on the new server
2. Make a new wordpress installation in that folder with the same name.
3. Copy the details you mention from wp-config.
4. Delete that installation, and upload the old one.
5. Edit the wp-config with those details.

Is that correct?

1. no.
2. No, see above.

I said this:

1. you create a new database.
2. you create a user to go with the database.
3. that user gets a password.

all of that is done inside your hosts control panel interface. NONE of it requires you to delete wordpress files.

This is just like a new install.

Once youve done that ^^ then you edit your current wp-config.php to match those settings.

the docs:
https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Editing_wp-config.php

im not trying to be short or rude, but neglecting to follow the directions is what landed you here in the first place. I appreciate you wanting to confirm things with a human, but you really need to get in the habit of looking at the documentation also.

if you get stumped with this, I can help, I spose. but you will need to email me …

[email protected]

and please note that im leaving where I am in 28 mins and going home to bed so if I dont reply straight away, its because Im asleep.

You really out to get with your old host too, about that backup also. If youre getting me to help with the simple stuff, you prolly want help with the harder stuff also.

Ok I guess I know a bit more about how to do this now, thank you for your comments whooami. (I didn’t realise at all that the mysql database contained data and also need to be transferred – at the beginning of this process I thought everything I needed was in the web folders)

Despite not having html access to the old site on yahoo, I managed to create a backup of its database using yahoo’s backup tool (I also have phpmyadmin installed there but that requires html access to use).

On my new host I have tried to import this backup using phpmyadmin but that returned a parsing error, and when I tried to restore it using the backup/restore tool, it was empty, no tables.

Just about had enough…! I think I will wait until the domain registration transfer completes and then point the name servers back to my old host, and put up with the interruption for the hour or so that takes.

an interesting if frustrating day…..

oh I should probably mention why I am doing this without any prior experience… well its just that this wordpress installation is a personal project not connected with the business at the top level domain – that was not moved but created anew on the new host by a developer I hired. But I don’t want to bother him with this, and its the weekend, so I thought I would try myself. And I didn’t attempt to contact my old host to help – its yahoo after all, they are no help with anything. I wish I had run the f##king wordpress backup before transferring the domain though!