DB Question

[d0t]

I have a few hacks installed and I want to remove everything and start my forums fresh. What parts of the database should I exclude from the backup so my styles are not all ++++ed and etc, or better yet, what are the only tables that I should have backed up?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Trying to partially restore the database will be the start of many problems.

A better way of approaching this would be to use ImpEx to move all data to a clean database. You can download ImpEx from your members area.

Edit: Make sure you read the sticky topics in the 'Import System' forum at vbulletin.com, and make good backups before starting.

[d0t]

A better way of approaching this would be to use ImpEx to move all data to a clean database. You can download ImpEx from your members area.
Members area of vbulletin.com for ImpEx?

and make good backups before starting.
What is considered a "good" backup, and how should it be done; with vB option or using phpMyAdmin?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Yes you can find ImpEx in your downloads at members.vbulletin.com

Depending on the size of your database any webbased backup (AdminCP/phpMyAdmin) might fail. The only secure way is to backup using SSH/Telnet. See also information on this at vb.com Forum and the vBulletin Documentation.

You should always verify your backup, preferably by restoring into a testdatabase, but you can also check the last few lines of the backupfile with a texteditor.