Reinstalling WordPress onto the server from a copy on my hard drive

  • I am not exactly sure what version of WordPress my local copy is. My server instance got deleted while I was in the hospital. My backup copy was not made using a plugin- all I did was use FireFTP from my server and download the complete fileset into a mirror folder on my computer. So I have all the files that should be on the server, configured the way I want them. However, I cannot get the database on my server configured to handle these files. For example, if I install WordPress 4.1, then transfer my old WordPress files to the server, the database gets messed up and I get an error.

    I am wondering if I have to know MySQL to get my site running again. Can anyone help?

    Thanks,
    Brian

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  • So you took a copy of all your server files using FTP, this is good, this will give you a backup of your THEME, your PLUGINS and your MEDIA pictures etc. ALL good.

    What you need in addition is a backup of your DATABASE, this will have all your site settings, and choices and options, and all your PAGES and POSTS, without a copy of the database some of your website is missing.
    Much of your website configuration is in the database and NOT in the files.

    Do you have a backup of your DATABASE ?
    You may still be able to get a backup of the database using your website management login, (unless it got deleted too !)

    With regard to restoring your website, it will not matter much which WordPress version you restore, just so long as the FILES and the DATABASE are from the same version. The process should be:
    – restore files
    – create database (adjust wp-config.php if necessary)
    – restore database
    Run and test website. All OK ?
    If YES then update WordPress and plugins as usual.
    If not then you need to tell us here what is wrong.

    Once your site is working again, take another set of backups.
    Suggest that you contemplate taking out a contract of the tidy person who deleted your website.

    Thread Starter bjoleniacz

    (@bjoleniacz)

    Thank you for your help. I think my database is gone for good, meaning all my hard work and labor is gone. I am really sad, but thank you for clarifying this to me. I am still learning about websites and how they work.

    Check with your web hosting support about what backups they have.
    Any person running a server has to consider the business continuity issue, what happens to their job if there is a fire / flood / theft / hardware failure / hack.

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