Copying site

You’ll need to make some changes to the copy database. This guide by Podz should assist:

https://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/site-url/

Thanks — just the clue I needed

Spoke too soon. That reference tells me to open the database, but a database has not been created yet. Tried a new install, but that insists that I remove my content first. I tried replacing the old domain name with the new, but going to the new admin gets me to the old site (not the old admin — even though the browser address display claims I’m at the old sites admin.php ).

My last hope is
Fresh install on new site
carefully tranfer all the content.
backup old database
restore to new database (Why doesnt the admin database backup page also restore??)

I’m getting discouraged.

Copy all the WP files (including your themes, plugins, etc) to the new location.

Backup the existing database, and restore it into a new one. Edit the values as shown in Podz’s guide.
Edit the wp-config.php in the copy site to point to the new database.
Now log in to your new site.
Don’t try to install, as it’s already installed and should be working.

No Go

1) Erased the entire new site
2) Downloaded the old site to local
3) Uploaded local to the new site
4) Used Old site’s admin to backup database
5) Used new sites phpadmin to create new database
6) Used new site’s phpadmin to restore backup DB
7) No error – tables look right.
8) Edited new wp-config.php for new database info.
9) Called up new site’s wp-admin.php
10 Got old site’s home page

???

You missed out this bit:

https://www.tamba2.org.uk/wordpress/site-url/

site-url and home are pointing at your old site. Change them to point to the new location it will work.

Changed ‘home’ and ‘site-url’ to point to new site

No change.

You might need to delete the cache as well (\wp-content\cache\)

When I downloaded the site I made sure not to download the cache. Just checked again, no cache

I have an idea what it might be.
The new site is what the host calls an ‘add-on’ domain, which seems to be a subdomain with a rewrite rule in .htaccess to make it look like a top-level domain (sound familiar?).
When I copied the site, the .htaccess ended up in the subdomain where it doesn’t count. I just have to merge it into the .htaccess in the base domain.

Good theory anyway.

Another theory bites the dust.

Problem solved!! Some database logon issues and a quick call to my hosts support line. (Iv’e been talking with a tech within 15 sec every time (3) I’ve called! Lets hear it for good support)

Thank to all for helping