Help! MySQL data dissappeared

[exhale81]

I don't know if this is the correct forum to ask this question but...

I run a message board (vBulletin-powered) and I have just noticed that all the data on the MySQL database have dissappeared And me being so stupid, I didn't do any backup (although I was planning to start doing this soon, but I guess we all say this until something bad happens).

The strange thing is that I did a 'locate' on telnet and it says that the MySQL tables are still here. But when I try to access or list them, it says there is no file. So why does 'locate' tell me the tables are here? Does locate work by indexing the files structure somewhere? (which would mean the tables WERE there) or coud this mean there has been an hard drive corruption which messed up the file structure?

Please help, if the tables are definitely lost I'll start again with a fresh install but I just want to make sure there is no hope before doing this

[SimonMc]

Is it worth asking your web host if they backup your database. I know that most don't..but you might get lucky. Just a thought ...I know that when these things happen it can be a real pain. I hope you get it sorted. You might want to try a specialist MySQL forum as well...I can't name any right now but a quick search on google should throw something up.

Good luck!

Simon

[Karl]

locate creates a cache of the file system, hence why you can still see the tables in it. Asking your host about backups would be a good first step, if they are running CPanel then there is a good chance they will have a backup.

Thanks,

[insiderhosting]

I agree with the above 2 posts that you should e-mail your host about a backup. But as far as you can tell is there any data that is actually missing like posts/members etc.. If not then I think that the problem or discrepancy that you might be seeing has to do with the search index table. I have noticed that sometimes it is larger and sometimes smaller, depending on the usage, and if it is the searchindex table which can be one of the biggest tables in VB, then you have nothing to worry about.

HTH
Steven

[exhale81]

Thanks people, someone on the vBulletin forum told me about the cache used by locate. My database is definitely gone Contacting my host will be useless anyway because I have a dedicated server.

Thanks anyway

[prequel]

Originally posted by exhale81
Thanks people, someone on the vBulletin forum told me about the cache used by locate. My database is definitely gone Contacting my host will be useless anyway because I have a dedicated server.

Thanks anyway

that someone was me

eva2000 = prequel

[Indian]

Originally posted by prequel

eva2000 = prequel

Really? I've seen you at venturesonline forums.

[insiderhosting]

Originally posted by Indian


Really? I've seen you at venturesonline forums.

I case you didn't notice it yet, George is everywhere, there is no escaping. I think that he has at least 1000 posts at every forum he visits.

Steven

[seanf]

Except this one

Sean

[Karl]

Originally posted by Indian


Really? I've seen you at venturesonline forums.

He's like me, he gets around

My advice woul dbe to start backing up your databases (But then again I bet you've guessed that), even a simple script (run everyday from cron) to tar each directory and copy it to elsewhere on the server will stop things like this happening again.

[prequel]

Originally posted by insiderhosting


I case you didn't notice it yet, George is everywhere, there is no escaping. I think that he has at least 1000 posts at every forum he visits.

Steven

yup self confessed net and vB addict

[prequel]

Originally posted by seanf
Except this one

Sean

that'll change once sitepointforums gets a better server and speeds up the forums and i have kevin yanks php/mysql book to read right now... questions.. questions

as Karl said a simple backup cron script will do.. can be found in vbulletin.com's mysql forum sticky thread

[freakysid]

Originally posted by prequel
that'll change once sitepointforums gets a better server and speeds up the forums ...

Says the guy with a 300Kb DSL internet connection.