wp_options table disappeared

Do you have a recent database backup?

I doubt it, as the guy is very technically unminded. He’s an artist who needed a site to promote his work so I just organised him a domain name and put an installation of wp on there and showed him how to put up pictures etc. That was sometime ago and I haven’t looked at it since the initial set up.

Check if his hosts have a db backup. Without a copy to restore, his site’s content is pretty much toast.

Thanks muchly. If there is no db back up, can I just do a re-install of WP into the folder it is now – wiping the intall that’s there already. Or do I need to uninstall WP first then re-do it?
Sorry if these are basic questions, I’m not a massive WP head myself, just really know how to put one up and make it look a bit pretty.

In your shoes, I’d create a fresh database, edit wp-config.php to point to the new db and then re-run the install. WP doesn’t have an un-install routine. Plus, if you use a new db, you still have the old one to fall back on if you need a copy of any raw content.

Thanks esmi, I’ll have to do a bit of research about creating a new db (tho I think I know how – in the Cpanel yes?) and then editing the wp-config.php (I have had to edit it before at least, just in a very minor capacity so I should be able to work it out.)

Actually, I’ve just had a squiz at the config file. Do I just need to change the first few lines where it (xxxxx being the database and passwords)to the name and password of the new database I create? ie:

// ** MySQL settings – You can get this info from your web host ** //
/** The name of the database for WordPress */
define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘xxxxxxxxxxxx’);

/** MySQL database username */
define(‘DB_USER’, ‘xxxxxxxxxx’);

/** MySQL database password */
define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘xxxxxxxx’);

/** MySQL hostname */
define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);

/** Database Charset to use in creating database tables. */
define(‘DB_CHARSET’, ‘utf8’);

/** The Database Collate type. Don’t change this if in doubt. */
define(‘DB_COLLATE’, ”);

in the Cpanel yes?

Yes – look in the Database management pane. remeber that you’ll also need to set up a new users for that database with full privileges. You should be able to assign the user from your old db to the new one, if I remember correctly.

You’ll definitely have to change the DB_NAME. Whether you need to also change DB_USER & DB_PASSWORD as well depends on whether you opt to carry on with the same user.

No worries. I guess the easiest way to do it is through the MySQL Database Wizard in the CPanel?

And just to do a final clarify on the process:
1. Create new db (but assign original user)
2. Edit wp-config.php to reflect this change.
3. run Softaculous and install a copy of WordPress into the folder it was already.
4. Login to WP and re-do website from scratch
5. Curse myself for not doing a back up!

Hey I got it happening tho he’s going to have to start his website again from scratch but at least it’s up.
Thanks heaps esmi

No problem ??