Objective:  To move the contents of phpBB 3.2 from one server to another.  The server of origin went up in smoke yesterday.  I needed to move the backups to a new server.


SIMPLEST WAY OF MOVING A PHPBB FORUM FROM ONE SERVER TO ANOTHER

1. Change DNS:  Change name servers of domain at domain registrar and wait for DNS to fully propagate.  Mine propagated fast.

2. Add on domain in cPanel of new server:  That went quick and easy as well.

3.  Create new database at destination server:  I had saved the config.php content info of the old server, and was able to recreate the new database with identical info.

4. Organize backup files of old server: I unzipped my backup.tar.gz - selected all of the folders and files at the root of the domain in the home directory.  And then zipped them into a zipped folder - domaincontent.zip. I also isolated the database.sql backup file but also had a good backup available which I'd made in the phpBB Admin Panel.

5.  Import database.sql backup: you can do this with phpmyadmin.  You do this by selecting the new database you created, and then clicking on the import tool in the index of links at the top of phpmyadmin.  

6. Upload zipped backup folder - domaincontent.zip:  Use cpanel File Manager or FTP to upload domaincontent.zip folder to the root of the domain.   I then unzipped the contents of the zipped folder.

7.  Finally I typed the domain URL into the index line of my browser (prayed as well), and my Forum appeared as though nothing had changed before.  Except of course I lost a few posts from 10 January to date.  It's a very low-profile quiet Forum, so really no harm done.


LESSONS LEARNED FOR PHPBB BACKUPS

There are three very important backups needed:  

1. Make a copy of all of the folders and files at the root of the domain.  Copy them with an FTP tool, zip them and keep them in a safe place.  

2. Second even more important backup is the database.  You can export it with phpmyadmin.  Or you can use the phpBB Admin Panel to create the sql file.

3. Copy the content of your config.php file at the root of the domain and keep it in a safe place.


THESE ARE ALL OF MY ERRORS BEFORE I FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT

I'd had a VERY MISTAKEN expectation that all I needed to do is create a new installation of phpBB, import the old.sql database with phpmyadmin, upload the two backup folders to the root of the domain, and phpBB ACP would take care of the rest when I clicked on restore backup.  That completely sidetracted me.

My last backups were on 10th of January.  Fortunately not too long ago.  I had made detailed backups in my phpBB Admin Panel.  I thought I'd made two backups:  one of the complete Forum and the other of my database.  But took some painful lessons today to realize both were actually backups of the database.  Fortunately I also made a complete backup of my cpanel hosting account that had all of the Forum files on it together with a backup of the database as well.  In the end I learned that the cpanelbackup.tar.gz  was much more valuable than the backups I had made in the phpBB ACP.  

To make things even more challenging with the above plan was the phpBB version on the server of origin was out of date. It was 3.2.2, and the current version 2.3.5.    All of my backups were technically out of date if I were to use an up to date download.

So I first used the cpanel softaculous in the destination (new) server to create a new instance of phpBB forum.  I then used the database that the new installation created, to import the backup.sql file.  My first attempt was to use the zipped file, but the version of zip phpbb uses, wasn't compatible and phpmyadmin identified serious errors.  I then deleted the installation, created a new installation and this time I unzipped the backup.sql file first, then uploaded it with the File Manager, and phpmyadmin was happy with that.

BUT - nothing showed up when I tried the domain URL in my browser.  It just came up with a new installation of phpBB with no content in it. After reading plenty of how-to discussions in phpBB.com, I then learned I had to find a way to get the installation folder back into the new installation so I could update the database - softaculous must have deleted the phpBB installation folder at the end of the installation of the new phpBB.  I tried to add the installation file from an up to date download on my computer, but everything failed after that point - totally frustrating to figure out how to update only the database.  I then deleted this installation as well and then finally after a cup of tea did what I should have done right the first time round.  I ignored the backups I'd taken with the phpBB ACP and only worked with the backup I created of my cpanel account. I created a new database only, but not a new installation. For those without cpanel, best backup is to make a copy of all of the files and folders at the root of the domain.  Second best backup is to make a database backup from phpBB ACP.  And third thing to do is to keep a copy of the config contents in a safe place for backup.

I think the title sums it up really I think you should change the group title and image from "VIP" to "Sponsor" or make a new group if not every vip is one. I know frequent members already know who the sponsors are but I thikk it would be easier for new members etc and perhsps look a bit nicer for the sponsors.

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What's your best mark of phones Sumsong or Condor

my opinion sumsong because i its not hard to use that phone and really good it helps me ..

Hello im new here and i have some experience about hosting so i want to host a gameserver i mean for MTA SA i need a france host with 100 slots or 70 and i only have 0.99 usd so i just need the host and i'll always post and be active i'll follow rules and be loyal here Thanks ..

Hey! I've been visiting this forum more frequently in the past few months and it looks like I'm really using a different theme to browse. As we all know, there is an option at the right side bottom of MyBB forums for members to change the theme they use to browse with(it only changes for the member itself). 

And it looks like I'm using the "Default" one. The reason behind my usage of 'default' theme is its reliability and I do really find it simple and easy to use . 

Most people might be using the "New Post4VPS" theme but is there anyone else who is on 'default' or any other theme out of 4(total five but one is for mobile users which is probably MyBB Go).

Hello all,

I have an idea to create a discord channel for Post4VPS to chat live with everyone as a lot of users see each as a part of the family. Let me know.

I got suggestion about this too.
As rudra and Mahalo as said before, put sponsors list. But I also want to add another suggestion, give VPS holders name for the VPS will be great isn't it?

If we look on past giveaways, there is some admins mistake including a VPS 9 on giveaway list. First, admin include VPS 9. Then they remove it from the list. I'm very confused that time, is the VPS 9 users are real or what?

Then I also have my VPS 8 (on the past) listed on giveaway list too. If admin give the list of VPS holders, someone can also give notice too if there is some giveaway mistake by admin.

Hope you understand.

i would like to suggest that please change it as OP says here but please make an old sponsors segment there on vps details page and move the details under it. this would look good..

dean.. i hope you read this.

Hello everybody,

So as most of you know from my intro thread I am in the process of starting a sponsorship program for Post4VPS. Several things have changed...

*I have relocated... I have spent many years traveling around the Midwest and I have now relocated permenantly.... I moved last week to Her Majestys United Kingdom of G.B.

*I have decided to open a formal UK company and have hired a handful of employees to assist me in running it.

*Due to relocating we will be offering vps servers only in London at this time. We will shortly be adding several more locations.

*As some of you may have noticed StellarVM has changed to Mahalo Servers

*With all the confusion from my relocation unfortunately my timeframe has been set back from mid february to the first week of March.

EDIT: If I was not clear YES we will still be sponsoring servers.