I've just restored a backup copy of my forum to the server, in a new directory (I wanted some posted info that had been edited).

All I did was copy the files from the local PC to the server, checked and changed all the permissions as per the installation instructions, and then edited Settings.pl to reflect the new domain/paths.

This all appears to have worked as expected, and the forum appears as normal, and although locked, threads can be browsed.

However, the member names do not appear, only their numbers, and it is not possible to login to the forum as any user, including Admin, nor can any new members be registered.

I also tried running Setup.pl in the hope it might repair. rebuild the member list, but this makes not difference.

Since I can't login or get in as Admin, I can't do anything with this installation, eg, rebuild member list, messages etc.

Anything obvious I have done wrong, or missed out, or is it not possible to simply copy over a complete forum from a backup?

Did you also upload List.txt and List2.txt

Also, try rebuilding the Member List

Yes, List.txt and List2.txt were included.

I had actually copied everything in total to the new location, but know that these two files were there as I had to replace them early on as I noticed they seemed to be reset at some early stage, possibly when I was working out the pathing, or when Setup.pl was run.

I'd love to run a rebuild, but as noted, I can't login as either a user or as admin, so can't run any of the forum utilities, and I can't register any new accounts.

I might try making a fresh install, and then add the data files (but that will be after a break, as I've stared at this for too long now).

It's just such a bind making sure none are forgotten, and I'd hoped to avoid it and "simply" do one ftp and bit of fiddling

I did a fresh install of Eblah, initially just to satisfy myself that the server account concerned was suitable (it's never had a forum installed).

As usual, I'm pleased to say that the Eblah installation worked straight out of the box, so no worries regarding the hosting or installation.

Presumably something in the original forum I want to find the post in does not like the transfer/restore, but I'm out of time, so it will be next week or so before I might be able to add a conclusion to this.

No real conclusion

Started restoring messages etc to the new install, but time being taken was too much simply to merely find a few words from one posting, so had to abandon, and give up on this one

One idea I have( but it is very tedious) is:

to create a 1.dat file on a different forum with your login information,
login via ftp and download that 1.dat from the freshly made forum,
upload it to your existing forum (renaming the old one or save it just in case)
and then try to log in that way.

I can try to assist you with that if you need help or it sounds too darn confusing  

Thanks

I have zapped the install/restore attempts now - it really was just a quick (or not so quick) fix to get one post back, and wasn't worth more time.

You might find that I've posted a similar problem here a year or two ago, under similar circumstance when restoring a  backup, however I found that the cause was the ftp process (ie not E-Blah, er even me), which (for an undiscovered reason) was refusing to transfer some of the files, and was fixed when I transferred the offenders one by one by hand.

Unfortunately, a check showed that this didn't apply this time though.

I will keep note of the hint given though, it does make sense.

It's just so long since since I had a problem with E-Blah, I've forgotten what most of the files are for! And it would have taken too long to dig out my notes etc.