Help! I have a website but can't use WP to create a new one

  • Resolved lisamicx

    (@lisamicx)


    11 years, 1 month ago

    Inexperienced non-programmer Dreamhost and WordPress user. Last week, I managed to transfer my old tired website to Dreamhost built on (MS Frontpage) a decade ago. I want to create a new website on WP but transferred this so I had something in the interim. A mistake I think…here is my problem:

    I downloaded “one click” install from Dreamhost. My old website is up and running: lisamicali.com. My old host pointed their name server to Dreamhost and I checked that today and those DNS and names are correct.

    That said, I did receive the “Success installing WP on your site email messages” but cannot change any or rather, don’t know how to correctly change the links in that email: http://www.lisamicali.com/wp-admin/install.php or, any other links also sent in that email.

    When I click on it, I get an error message:
    Error establishing a database connection
    This either means that the username and password information in your wp-config.php file is incorrect or we can’t contact the database server at mysql.lisamicali.com. This could mean your host’s database server is down.(which is not the case).

    Not sure I had to do this but also downloaded WP on my computer too and tried to change the sample-config as directed (painful). My question: But then what do I do with that after I do that? Do I need to upload via a local FTP on my computer to upload that file…? When I save the new config file, I don’t where to send it on Dreamhost. Where do I find info in the my FTP filezilla?

    At this point, I don’t know where to start fixing things! I am not attached to my old site and would love to ditch it and start fresh. I have backed up the info to a word doc. Can someone please help me?

    Also, do you know if Dreamhost requires two different passwords 1) web panel 2) sql server? That has me stumped too. Thank you for any and all help!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Mika Epstein

    (@ipstenu-dh)

    DreamHost Rep

    11 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Lisa,

    I’m sorry you’re having such a hassle 🙁 I hopped onto your server and checked your wp-config.php file. We very much do require separate passwords to panel and sql (and also your FTP password, which I know is a hassle, but the alternative is someone can get one password and destroy everything for you….)

    I changed the password in your wp-config.php to the SQL password, which I got by going to your panel and clicking on mySQL Databases: https://panel.dreamhost.com/index.cgi?tree=goodies.mysql&

    If you look at the entry for your WordPress database, you’ll see a username on the right column. If you click on that, you’ll be taken to a page where you can change your passwords at will or click on ‘Show Password’ to see what the actual password is 🙂 Which is what I did.

    If you still need help with WP or DreamHost, don’t hesitate to ask! It’s what we’re here for.

    Thread Starter lisamicx

    (@lisamicx)

    11 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks so much. I changed my SQL password. Clicked on: http://www.lisamicali.com/wp-admin/install.php, put in my info but now it says: Error establishing a database connection …

    what next?

    Mika Epstein

    (@ipstenu-dh)

    DreamHost Rep

    11 years, 1 month ago

    You’ll have to do what I did: Edit the wp-config.php file manually.

    Go in via FTP (or WebFTP) and edit that file. In there you’ll see your SQL password. Change it to the new one 🙂

    Thread Starter lisamicx

    (@lisamicx)

    11 years, 1 month ago

    Success! Thanks so much now onto the build!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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