Merging phpBB databases

[jamesau]

I recently purchased a second forum to add the users on to an original forum. I have both databases available but i'm struggling to transfer the 36 users from one database to the other. I was wondering if anybody could guide me through (or knows of a guide) to merging userbases?

 

[Tree]

I don't think that phpBB has a "quick and easy" way to do it. So I'll try to guide you through it.

• Back up both databases through phpMyAdmin. Instructions below:
  • Select the database that you are backing up from the drop-down menu
  • Click on Export
  • Select everything that you see in this picture: http://www.ncisolutions.com/misc/phpmyadmin.PNG
  • Do this for both databases so that if something were to happen, you'd still have a good backup.
• On the smaller one (Or the one that you want to add to the other), if the DB isn't too big, select the phpbb_users table (or the one you want to merge)
• Select SQL in phpMyAdmin
• In the "Or Location of the text file" upload the .zip file. IF that doesn't work, unzip the .sql file and upload it.

I have merged a few phpBB databases in my day, if you come across any problems, please post here. I can just merge them for you if you'd like. $35 USD

 

[Amnezia]

surely you cannot just simply merge the two. There will be duplicates unique user IDS which won't pass the constraints.

 

[Tree]

That is true. Something I forgot to mention. Start the user IDs above the last ones. IF there are duplicate users, you can just add their post count together.

I really don't think this is a job for the inexperienced. Are you planning on merging posts as well?

 

[jamesau]

Not merging posts no. I tried to merge once but it failed for some reason, I remembered that time to update the primary key (user_ID) to new and unique values so that wasn't the problem. I'll have a go using the steps you suggested Tree, thanks for your help.

 

[jamesau]

Don't suppose you have MSN tree?

 

[jamesau]

Managed to delete phpbb_users somehow, completely screwed database. Now i've had to delete and start from scratch and it seems as though phpBB doesn't want to restore the databases! Grrrrrrrrr

 

[Tree]

Yes, I have MSN. It's in my profile.

 

[jamesau]

By exporting the database I realised there was a line in the SQL saying 'drop users if they exist' (pseudocode) so this caused my db to screw up royally. I'm now able to recover it but still havent added the new users :P

 

[Tree]

Oh, ouch. Well, I'd say that's my fault for telling you to check the wrong box. Sorry about that. I'm on MSN now if you want to chat.

 

[Amnezia]

do you have it fixed yet, if not gimme a second and il write you a script that will do it

 

[jamesau]

OK so i've restored the db but now the login doesnt work and i'm sure other features must be broken aswell. What's with that?

Perhaps that script would be handy. Thanks.

 

[jamesau]

Finally got it after individually weening out necessary parts and unnecessary parts. Thanks for all your help. Can see it back in action through either link in my signature.