Akeeba Site Migration - Kickstart Won't Start Topic is solved

[indenticus]

I've downloaded my site using Akeeba and have uploaded the archive to the new server, plus kickstart.php, but when I browse to the correct folder and try to launch kickstart, I am greeted with the option to either open the file on my computer or download it. The script does not launch Akeeba Restore.

I'm trying different archive formats and adjusting file permissions but after that I'm stuck. Any help would be appreciated.

[pe7er]

Does the new server meet the server requirements for Joomla?
https://downloads.joomla.org/technical-requirements

Does the new server parse PHP files?

[indenticus]

Yes, I think so because I already moved a small site successfully to a similar server, and this one is the same type with the same company and same type of contract.

[Pavel-ww]

Hi.
kickstart.php is required only when the hosting does not have an archive unpacking function. If your hosting has an unpacking function, change the archive type from jpa to zip in the Akeeba settings, create a backup copy, move it to your hosting and unpack the archive. After unpacking, you can proceed to recovery using a simple link to your site.
If you need to use jpa and kickstart, carefully read the instructions on the Akeeba's official website. It looks like you are just making a mistake somewhere. For example, the kickstart.php file was not renamed and the like.

[indenticus]

Thanks Pavel. I have done as you suggested and downloaded, uploaded and successfully extracted an Akeeba ZIP backup on the new server, the files are all there, but the site will still not load, obviously refusing to execute any php script at all. There is also a WordPress site on the same server, on a different domain, and that works perfectly. So I'll check with the hosting company for help.

[pe7er]

I think so because I already moved a small site successfully to a similar server, and this one is the same type with the same company and same type of contract.

To make sure, test it by putting a small php script in a file and open it in the browser:

Code: Select all

<?php
phpinfo();

[indenticus]

Thanks pe7er, I did that and it proves the server is unable to parse php. So it's time to delete and recreate the Addon domain in cPanel I think!

[pe7er]

You're welcome! Glad that you found the cause of the issue.

[indenticus]

The problem remains. Every time I expand the archive php parsing fails. If I upload the php info into the empty folder it works, but as soon as I expand the archive it fails. I'll try a straight download-upload via ZIP and see if that works.

[Per Yngve Berg]

Try to rename the .htaccess file, if it exists.

[indenticus]

Thanks all, I have now been successful.

The problem could have been caused by one of three things:

1. Akeeba failed to create a complete backup of the installation
2. The file format that worked was ZIP, not the default JPA.
3. I was unable to use FTP to download or upload the archive due to cPanel restrictions, so it may have been corrupted using JPA (upload via cPanel File Manager).

I don't know which of these was responsible for the problem because once I used ZIP archives Kickstart worked.

[pe7er]

Good to hear that you've solved it. Thanks for sharing your solution!