Information on Server Down

[Henhouse]

Hello all,

I am so sorry for Smolderforge being down as long as it is. I stayed up until 8AM trying to work with the support team on fixing a problem.

I was installing our new core and was preparing to being the compile on it, very simple, done it before. Since we had problems installing Ubuntu Server edition last time, several things were broken on Linux such as the trash can feature -- making it so I can move things to the trash that never get deleted.

Therefore I was using the Terminal command to delete files directly. I was telling the Terminal to delete the MaNGOS' /opt/mangos/bin folder, however, with Linux you probably should type out the FULL directory. Now, since I hardly use the Terminal, and since I was forced too, Linux deleted the central /bin instead of the full directory. The /bin folder is critical to Linux and the best part is, there really is no way to just undo what you did.

So just like that, with one small typo the thing broke. Making me unable to start any problems, FTP, anything to backup characters and send them off. I contacted support immediately and the only thing he said was possible would be to attempt a recovery install which he said hardly works. He took the job of securing the MySQL databases so that all the data was secure. This time he installed Ubuntu DESKTOP as the Operating System so that I didn't boot up with a command prompt and go from there.

He mounted the old harddrive as a usable device (like when you plugin an external harddrive) and I was able to pull all my files off there. I stopped the MySQL server and copied over all the database information contained in the ibdata1 file and put it in the server's correct folder. I typed the command to start MySQL back up and it failed.

Is it really this all over again? Now their support team has been _good_ but they keep switching things they are saying. They said the problem was the MySQL structure was different and it needed to be swapped, so I told them to do so, then the story changed to them being corrupted, which clearly isn't even LIKELY possible considering the fact the server was completely off when all this happened and the data was copied straight from there. They said the could fix if I paid an hourly fee of $50 per hour and that it was a "lengthy" process.

I'm sorry guys, but I do NOT have the money to pay to watch them continuously fail. I'm going to try for several more hours fixing this.


If, and if I cannot fix it, I have a restore file from when we moved to the dedicated server, Nov. 17th, which was a while ago now and MUCH data would be lost --- but if it comes to that, at least it's not a character wipe completely, only 10 days. However that means an EXTREME amount of work for me refunding a LOT of stuff and numerous tickets complaining about disappearing characters.


I'm so sorry guys, these kind of things literally never happen and I'm going to be working hard to fix them.

[Rakitheriom]

We will push on threw! We always do.

[Myforte]

10 days > no more server. If ppl QQ, then they can *(use your imagination)* imo :)
GL Hen, i didnt understand half of what you said, so yeah, GL HF with it :D

[Henhouse]

I was unable to get anything to re-read from the previous stuff, so unfortunately, we're having to revert all the way back to Nov 17th. I am so sorry.

All donors will have their donations from Nov. 16 reactivated and can be fully used again.

I will take extreme measures to insure this does not happen again. Since we are running on a more stable Linux with a working trash can, I do NOT believe I will ever have to restore to using the command prompt to delete files.


I am currently reimporting the database at a MUCH faster pace than previously. I've told the import use 1.25GB of RAM to preform the operation. I would estimate the import finishing around 10PM EST (just a guesstimate)

Once again, I sincerely apologize and I will be taking even more efforts to insure this does not happen ever again. But I suppose look at the bright side --- we're not wiping all 200,000 characters. But still losing several thousand.

[Tykel]

Lets all just look at the positive side of it :):) it could be worse.

[Myforte]

Never had a shred of doubt that you wouldn't succede Hen :D

Cya online later, 2:00 AM GMT+1 :o

oh, and does this mean that the vendor changes you performed earlier this week will not yet be in effect when the server comes on ?

[Henhouse]

Yes, I sadly do believe so... Luckily accounts were backed up right beforehand though.

[Myforte]

i'm just annoyed cos i have to farm another 70 BoJ's on my Druid lol, and like 30 on all my other chars =(

[Shinja]

i'm just annoyed cos i have to farm another 70 BoJ's on my Druid lol, and like 30 on all my other chars =(

Myeah, the badges of Justice are going to hurt the most I suppose. That and the levelling of all of my professions to max :P Especially cooking was a bitch =(

But ah well, I'm just glad that the server was able to get repaired.

[Myforte]

Yeah :D
oh well, i have all weekend to just pvp and do dailies, so i should have everything back by Monday :D