[Katebekett]

Thanks for the advice Lynne,

Since I had no idea How MySql works, I went about it the long way around. I started with a clean test install in another directory. Then I started restoring 1 table at a time to the damaged directory. I found that when I restored the "datastore" table, it fixed the problem but also got rid of all the threads and posts. So I re-restored the damaged table, and the problem + Threads came back. So I expanded the Datastore table and found that If I just restored the "options" part of the table from the clean install, that worked too.

Then I also stumbled across that, if I went to my clean install, and did a forum settings xml backup, I could open this in a text editor, and fix the forum URL to point to the damaged forum, I can import this XML back via the damaged forum's ACP, and fix the issue. Then go back in and re-apply any customizations and VBH Tabs.

I know this sounds really low-tech, but I am a real n00b, when it comes to mysql. It's difficult to concentrate when there's over 500 members yelling blue murder, to have the forum back (and it's only a fan site )

I sincerely appreciate your assistance. Thanks!