XF 2.3 Taking Forum offline - how to backup/save

[Alvin63]

I'm taking one of my forums offline completely. What is the best way to do this, while saving/backing it up in case I want to put it back online again please?

Presumably I need to delete it in the server to take it offline? Is there somewhere I can save or download it before doing so? Thanks.

 

[philmckrackon]

You can create a server backup then extract the files needed to restore XF, copy your files and SQL or use this addon for just XF.

XF2 [8WR] Database Backup

Jul 9, 2018

Automatic database backups. Add-on from 8WAYRUN.

• Jaxel
• backup mysqldump
• Add-ons [2.x]

 

[Alvin63]

Ok so I do a server backup. Can do that. Which files do I need to extract? And where do I then put them?

 

[philmckrackon]

Ok so I do a server backup. Can do that. Which files do I need to extract? And where do I then put them?

You have to dig through the compressed "accounts" backup file and extract the XF files and the appropriate SQL file. Not impossible, just inconvenient.

 

[CedricV]

If your files are in public_html, I would compress your public html into tar.gz file, extract your mysql database and that’s it.

 

[philmckrackon]

If your files are in public_html, I would compress your public html into tar.gz file, extract your mysql database and that’s it.

Exactly, compress them yourself or extract them from your full server backup.

 

[Alvin63]

Thanks. Is there a guide how to do this anywhere? I'm not that up on that side of things. Is there not an option just to leave it in the server and "turn it off" somehow?

 

[Alvin63]

If your files are in public_html, I would compress your public html into tar.gz file, extract your mysql database and that’s it.

Thanks. How would I compress it into a tar.gz file please? (assume you're teaching an alien lol) and how do I extract the sql database and where do I extract them to? Just on computer? Download? If there's an option to download a backup from the server, would that do?

 

[philmckrackon]

Are you using WHM, arestricted cPAnel or a root terminal SSH?

 

[CedricV]

You would be able to do that in the file manager. I can share screenshots when I get home in a couple of hours.

 

[Alvin63]

You would be able to do that in the file manager. I can share screenshots when I get home in a couple of hours.

Thank you. I have hostinger and it doesn't have cpanel. Something similar maybe called hpanel. But I can find file manager.

 

[philmckrackon]

@CedricV is a great XF member.
It's easy to backup, depending on your situation.

 

[philmckrackon]

Thank you. I have hostinger and it doesn't have cpanel. Something similar maybe called hpanel. But I can find file manager.

Hostinger has their own custom version of cPAnel. I have walked users on how to download their forums.

 

[CedricV]

Thank you. I have hostinger and it doesn't have cpanel. Something similar maybe called hpanel. But I can find file manager.

How to use Hostinger’s File Manager: Manage your website files with ease

Learn how to use File Manager at Hostinger to manage your website's files with ease. Our guide covers the basics and some advanced features.

www.hostinger.com

If you right click on your public_html folder, there's a menu where you can find archive.

• Archive – store multiple items into a single ZIP or TAR file. To do this, use the bulk selection to choose the files and click the archive icon from the top menu.

 

[CedricV]

@Alvin63 - I just saw your reasoning of closure:

It is with huge sadness that the forum has closed on 16th March 2025. A lot of forums are having to close due to the huge requirements of the new legislation - the Online Safety Act. While this forum has always been perfectly safe, we were unable to meet the compliancy. As a small forum, we were unable to afford lawyers or fees for legal age validation. The care guide articles are still available to view on this page - please enjoy and hopefully they are of help. Former members are now on Instagram. Instagram address on photo.

Note: All former memberships have been deleted, removing all personal information as per GDPR.

Respectfully, you are overreacting.

 

[Alvin63]

That's my other forum. I have decided to close both. I no longer want to run a forum with this new legislation. I don't think I'm over-reacting but others will have different views on it. We all have different priorities in life at different times and that is my take on it.

Members of both forums are set up elsewhere - along with me. Not the same - but. I wish people would stop saying I'm over-reacting. I did my research and made a decision. As have other forum owners.

 

[Alvin63]

How to use Hostinger’s File Manager: Manage your website files with ease

Learn how to use File Manager at Hostinger to manage your website's files with ease. Our guide covers the basics and some advanced features.

www.hostinger.com

If you right click on your public_html folder, there's a menu where you can find archive.
View attachment 320296

• Archive – store multiple items into a single ZIP or TAR file. To do this, use the bulk selection to choose the files and click the archive icon from the top menu.

Thank you.

 

[philmckrackon]

@Alvin63 - I just saw your reasoning of closure:



Respectfully, you are overreacting.

That's my other forum. I have decided to close both. I no longer want to run a forum with this new legislation. I don't think I'm over-reacting but others will have different views on it. We all have different priorities in life at different times and that is my take on it.

Members of both forums are set up elsewhere - along with me. Not the same - but. I wish people would stop saying I'm over-reacting. I did my research and made a decision. As have other forum owners.

Way over reacting. Examine, research then apply.

 

[Alvin63]

Way over reactingI

I didn't ask for an opinion on my decision, I asked about saving a backup. But have since decided to keep a home page online and just close the forum down. For now. I won't be starting it up again but it was one way of leaving signposting for former members - most of whom already know.

 

[philmckrackon]

I didn't ask for an opinion on my decision, I asked about saving a backup. But have since decided to keep a home page online and just close the forum down. For now. I won't be starting it up again but it was one way of leaving signposting for former members - most of whom already know.

Cool...