Which files should I move or delete?

  • Sorry I don’t know what version of WordPress I’m using (I downloaded the ‘latest’ version of it about a year ago and then installed it onto what is now my old host).

    So… I’m moving my website from one host to another and I’m trying to manually get my website up and running.

    A couple of weeks ago I backed up my files and database and then uploaded them to the new host. On the advice of the new webhost I tried to use Fantastico to install things and get the site running (but I wish I’d ignored his advice and just manually done it all as things got rather messy…).

    Anyway, after uninstalling Fantastico I realised I had put my own website files in the wrong place (not in the public html place where they should be). Should I move them to the right place or would it be better to delete them and then start again by uploading them to the right place? My concern is that when I made a backup of all my files from my old host I copied everything (not just the wordpress-related ones) and now I am worried that there may be files I don’t need – or which could mess things up. So… which files should I move or delete?

    I want to make things as ‘clean’ as possible and have been reading up on the Moving WordPress documentation. Just wish I could have started from a clean slate. Anyway, live and learn!

    Any help much appreciated.
    Thanks!

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Moderator t-p

    (@t-p)

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

    Thread Starter thebookishmama

    (@thebookishmama)

    Thank you very much t-p.

    I had read that excellent document (and have printed it out too!).

    I guess I’m saying that I don’t know what the ‘core’ wordpress files are as there are so many folders e.g. css and img and test and I don’t know if I should have these or not. But as it says on the documentation ‘all the other files on your site’ so I’ll assume it’ll all be okay?!

    Any thoughts welcomed ??

    Moderator t-p

    (@t-p)

    what the ‘core’ wordpress files are

    https://codex.www.ads-software.com/WordPress_Files

    Thread Starter thebookishmama

    (@thebookishmama)

    Thanks for that!

    I’ve moved what I thought the relevant files now to the proper place.

    Now I’m just on to the usual problem ‘error establishing database connection’. I’m 99.9% sure I’ve got the database name and username, password and hostname correct. I keep checking over and over (and the wp-config.php file is definitely in the right place now) but still getting the same problem. My domain name is the same (although I have transferred the registration now). So I assume my URL is the same?

    Thanks for your suggestions and patience.

    Moderator t-p

    (@t-p)

    – Error connecting to your database is common, but it isn’t necessarily a problem with wordpress itself.
    – First, try contacting the hosting provider if the database server is online / if they have any other problem at their end, or they made any changes to your account, or if there are any limitations/restrictions, if the hosting package is set to Windows and not Linux, etc .
    – double check your wp-config.php file settings for the database name, database username and database password. This is where most errors occur. -Then check that you don’t need to change the database host from “localhost” to something else. You can get that info from your hosting provider.
    -Check you have actually created a database with the same database name as is in your wp-config.php file.
    -Last, but not least, if all that information is correct your database probably has a problem with it, and you may need to contact your hosting provider.
    There are also many threads on this topic on these forums: https://www.ads-software.com/search/Error+establishing+a+database+connection?forums=1

    Backup everything before doing anyhting

    Thread Starter thebookishmama

    (@thebookishmama)

    Thank you very much. I was actually just looking at those threads about the infamous ‘error establishing database connection’ (and watched an excellent YouTube video) and been checking and checking that the wp-config file is correct and that it matches with the database name etc. And I checked that ‘localhost’ is correct too.

    I am a little concerned that the database I exported from my old host and then imported to my new host is quite small (about 0.6 MB) but then again I didn’t have a lot of posts and comments. Perhaps I should do this again?

    And I’ll get on to the host too…

    It’s just such a shame to move hosts and think things are almost sorted and then to have my website down…

    Your support is much appreciated. Thank you.

    Thread Starter thebookishmama

    (@thebookishmama)

    My host got back to me saying there was an error with the database and they managed to resolve it.

    So happy ??

    …and I’ve learnt more along the way.

    Thanks for all your help.

    Moderator t-p

    (@t-p)

    you are welcome. ??

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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