What to do!

[Queenmommie]

The free host we are using lately has become so unreliable. The boards load really slow, and a lot of server errors occur, as often we cant even log on to the site. I have complained about various other issues before to them, and i often feel shrugged off. I would love to move, but without access to our database, i dont think its feisable? What do u guys think?

 

[Ascent]

That's the problem with free hosts. Most of them won't give you a database of your forum because they want you to stay with them.

I'm thinking the only options you have are:

-Start from scratch on a different host
-Continue on with the current host

Just for the record, which free host are you using?

 

[Queenmommie]

Forumarena

 

[Dj-Whitey]

you are hosted by a free host ( you can access your database) because you have subdomains. ok. do back up your database save it to your computer then download your forum onto the computer.

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

you are hosted by a free host ( you can access your database) because you have subdomains. ok. do back up your database save it to your computer then download your forum onto the computer.

Subdomains dont mean that, shes on a free forum host, not just a webhost. She has no access to the database at all, there lies the problem.

For the record, I say get on a real host as soon as possible...

 

[Queenmommie]

you are hosted by a free host ( you can access your database) because you have subdomains. ok. do back up your database save it to your computer then download your forum onto the computer.

Subdomains dont mean that, shes on a free forum host, not just a webhost. She has no access to the database at all, there lies the problem.

For the record, I say get on a real host as soon as possible...

And Start from scratch....

 

[CyberFreak]

Have you asked the host if they can give you a copy of the DB?

If you beg them and politely ask them then they might send you a copy or they might allow you to buy a copy at least. It is worth a try... The worst they can say is no.

If the host won't give you a copy of the db then there isn't anything you can do to get a copy of the db unless you hack their server -lol-

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

unless you hack their server -lol-

If their security is anything like Twitter's, shouldnt be hard.

 

[Queenmommie]

unless you hack their server -lol-

If their security is anything like Twitter's, shouldnt be hard.

Hmm, that would be an option.

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

Well Twitter was hacked with a brute force program because of a weak password. You may not be directly able to hack an admins password on their board, but if you track one's IP around for awhile through google, theres a chance another site theyve joined isnt as secure. Once you crack it from there, they often dont use different passwords -😉-

Of course thats extremly illegal...cough*brutus*cough...what?

 

[Subz]

most if not all free hosts will give you the database for a fee

 

[CyberFreak]

I have known alot not though... Especially ones where the admin is hidden and is nearly impossible to get hold of.

 

[hcfwesker]

So, if you can get your free forum provider to give up your forum's database ... then it's possible to move?

I know PB's won't do this, but i'm just curious about this. and i know nothing about how this works ~eeeek~

 

[CyberFreak]

It is possible to move although if you are on a host like pb which has a custom software then the db will be worthless if they give it to you.

If you are on a host like freeforums.org and the stupidly high price for your forums db you can then find a webhost and restore it (aslong as you install the version of software your host had (phpBB2 or phpBB3)) The backup has to match the software you are trying to restore it on. If you are on a phpbb free host you should be able to move no problems if you get a copy of your db.

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

^To correct Fowler (to an extent) it IS possible to gain a copy of PB's database, without asking for it. There are "crawler" converters out there, and although illegal to use, they can create a backup of your PB database, which can be converted into phpBB and restored onto a free, or paid host.

The chances of finding a link are slim, though. Youd need to do some digging in places normal people should never go, and I would reccomend using 2-3 proxy's along side Tor before going to some of them.

There are also crawler converters for InvisionFree, and Zeta. With some digging, I think there might be some for free phpBB hosts as well, youd just need to poke around.

 

[CyberFreak]

-surprise-

I have never heard of these before... Mind you i am not surprised you know about them considering they are illegal -lol-

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

I have Invisionfree & ProBoards converters which are (basically) ready to be released. However, as both IF and PB do not offer database backups for free (IF does for a fee), I do not know if it is _legal_ to post such a converter (it is a crawler-type, similar to that used on ezBoards a long time ago).

*EDIT [April 22 2008]: removed Yuku and Proboards converters, per request.

http://www.simplemachines.org/community ... c=188741.0

The package now contains ActiveBoards, fora.pl, Forumotion, Invisionfree, iPBfree, SuddenLaunch and Zetaboards converters.

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopi ... 0&t=727865

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Edit: More digging

I'm sorry, but we currently have no options for releasing backups to admins.

http://support.forumwise.com/support-th ... oad+backup

That should prove that OP cannot get the database from their current host, and no converters are on google for ForumWise/ForumMania.