Can't access database after moving to GoDaddy

My former host disappeared off the planet a few days ago and I have to get my site running asap. I have purchased hosting from Godaddy and set up a whole new fresh install of Zencart (1.3.9h).

I had a complete backup of all the files which I uploaded successfully but I am now stuck because I cannot get the database to connect.

Here is what I found: My old SQL and admin config file does not reference zen_ on any tables at all but the new SQL and admin config does.

Other than comparing and making changes line by line on a huge SQL file, is there a way to get my database recognized by the new cart? As a test I edited the admin config file by removing the zen_ (define('DB_PREFIX', 'zen_') and the database was recognized but it caused my website to be in maintenance mode permanently. I then added the line back to the config which allowed me to access my store.

Any suggestions for an SQL and database dummy?

You moved TO GoDaddy.:shocking:

Seriously... you moved TO this useless host? :no:

Nobody moves a zencart store TO GoDaddy.

The only direction that makes sense is FROM Godaddy. :yes:

Thanks for the help. No seriously, thanks for those great words of encouragement.

I understand everyone has their own opinion on hosts and I respect that. But after being with my old hosting provider for 12 years with absolutely no problems and great service, they just dropped off the face of the earth. Chances are Godaddy won't and up to this point I have had great customer support.

Once again, thanks for the kind words. I am sure responses like that will make new members just want to install Zen and ask all kinds of questions.

Did you use the auto install (i.e. fantastico)?

Other than editing the sql file (making a copy first of course!), you could do a manual install of zen and simply choose not to use a prefix for your database tables. This way you should be able to just import your database and be on your merry way..

daneh:

Thanks for the help. No seriously, thanks for those great words of encouragement.

I understand everyone has their own opinion on hosts and I respect that. But after being with my old hosting provider for 12 years with absolutely no problems and great service, they just dropped off the face of the earth. Chances are Godaddy won't and up to this point I have had great customer support.

Once again, thanks for the kind words. I am sure responses like that will make new members just want to install Zen and ask all kinds of questions.

Its not an opinion, its fact. Most of the issues with sites happen on GoDaddys servers.

While you can, get out of GoDaddy.

The developers of zencart (yes, the team who wrote this program) tried for many years to get GoDaddy to "invest" in technology - and adopt an operational culture - that meets the very sophisticated requirements of eCommerce and eCommerce hosting.

GoDaddy indicated - quite blatantly - that they had no intention of changing their modus operandii. Their business model is - and remains - "stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap".

They stuff their servers to breaking point with websites, and run them on bare minimum configurations.

You WILL have problems - possibly costly - down the line.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Unfortunately I cannot afford the time, resources nor money to make the change to another host right now. I already have too much time and money spent on getting up and running as fast as I could. I am losing sales every day and to make matters even worse, I was finalizing my taxes using my data from the shopping cart when it went down. I chose Godaddy very late in the evening because I really don't have the time to research another host nor want to explain to the IRS why my taxes were not filed. At this point I will just spend some time with GD and then make a switch at a better time.

I installed Zen using the GD app installer. Not sure if it is a fantastico install or not.

I guess if no-one has an easy solution to make my database work I will have to make changes line by line on the large SQL file.

daneh:

Any suggestions for an SQL and database dummy?

Rather than changing the SQL files to match the database why not change the database to match the SQL?

Don't forget that your DB username/password will have changed with your move.

Cheers
Rod

That was the first thing I had thought of so went to PHP Myadmin and poked around. I didn't see where to make that change.

You have two sets of data: one installed by GoDaddy using the prefix they chose, and one using whatever prefix you used on your old host.
Set your configure.php files to use the old prefix and you'll be good to go.

Thx Drbyte,

I tried that and it was unsuccessful.:no:

I removed the database prefix (zen_) from my admin config and although the data showed up in my admin, the website was in constant maintenance mode with no way for me to take it out.

I spent 4 hours editing my "old" sql, adding zen_ for the tables and that did not work either.:frusty:

If I can't find an easier way I think I may end up editing the new sql by adding all my data from the old.

Dan...

An assessment of this thread indicates that you have now spent considerable time - possibly as many as 30 hours - trying to solve the problem.

Even if we put the relatively "modest" value of $20 / hour to your time, it amounts to a "cost" of some $600.

Had you found a decent host and reloaded ZC after the initial advice to do so, you would be up-and-running by now.

Has this become a "matter of principle" rather than a need to get a reliable store in place?

daneh:

I removed the database prefix (zen_) from my admin config and although the data showed up in my admin, the website was in constant maintenance mode with no way for me to take it out.
Yes, I read that in your earlier post.
I don't understand exactly what you mean.
You said it lets you into your admin. So, go into Admin->Configuration->Website Maintenance, and turn off maintenance mode.

Or are you saying that it shows the "nddbc.html" page? If so, then your database settings details are incorrect and it's unable to even connect to your database using the database-name/host/user/password that you supplied.

Ok, this is getting to be a bit ridiculous. :wacko:

I took Schoolboys advice and switched hosting to Bluehost, a host recommended by Zencart. After fighting with this for awhile I called tech who successfully imported the database. I now have all my data in my admin like I should.:clap: However, once again my site is stuck in maintenance mode. When I try to take it out by choosing "false" in admin/configuration/maintenance mode, nothing happens...it says false but the site is still in maint mode.:frusty: (mistkits.com).

Before I call tech again, is there something obvious I am missing here?

You're right. It is getting ridiculous.

The store will be in maintenance mode until you turn off the Down For Maintenance status in your admin menu.
That is controlled by the DOWN_FOR_MAINTENANCE configuration entry in your database's configuration table.

There are only three possible causes to explain your store being in maintenance mode:
a) you've got it set into maintenance mode in your admin (ie: DOWN_FOR_MAINTENANCE = true

b) you've got a 'DOWN_FOR_MAINTENANCE' constant defined somewhere in one of your store-side PHP files which is overriding the database configuration setting

c) your store-side configure.php file is pointing to a different database than your admin, and thus all the controls in your admin have zero effect on your storefront. BOTH files need to contain the same DB_XXXXX settings if you want them to look at the same data/settings/etc.