Bad news. Worst news.
After running me in circles for two days, my upstream provider has informed me that the server is dead, and all backups are gone. This is something they assured me could not happen after the last catastrophic crash where they failed to restore accounts.
What this means for you:
Please look up your latest backup of your site and contents, because that’s what we’ll need to restore your site. Contact me and let me know when your latest backup was, and we’ll discuss whether I’ll be uploading it for you, or you will be uploading it for you.
Let me know also, how fast you need your site back — eg. if you’re using it for business and main email. It’ll let me prioritize.
NOTE: don’t use the elainemiller.com email — it’s offline along with everything else. Use elaine (at) techdonkey (dot) com.
The server will be re-set by the server mechanics as soon as possible, and I’ll start rebuilding. Watch this space: I’ll keep updating this info.
What this means for the DykeTech.com business:
I’m starting an account with a new server-service provider today. The IP will take a wee bit to resolve (24 - 72 hours) and then I’ll start migrating us over, and then cancel the account with the old provider.
I am so very sorry for the disruption in services and communication this causes.
-Elaine
UPDATE: 2:05pm PST
The server folks still have not recontructed the server to the point where I can get in and start reconstructing. I’m continually knocking on that particular door.
I have opened a new account with a different company, to lease server space. One way or t’other, we’re all going back online as soon as I can manage it.
UPDATE: 4:25 pm PST
If you’re an existing client of Elaine Miller, DykeTech.com, or Techdonkey.com, please drop in and add your name and email to the announcement-only list.
http://mail.techdonkey.com/mailman/listinfo/clients_techdonkey.com
An independent email is best (as in, something not affected by this current outage).
It’ll help me keep you updated.
UPDATE: 8:36 PM PST
Old server:
The wayward server techs have still not provided me with access to the server so I can restore accounts. Hear me scream. Watch me tear my hair.
New server:
About 3/5 of the domains I host are now pointing at the new server, rented from an entirely new company with a great record of keeping “uptime”. Due to the standard time it takes for DNS propagation, they should come live in 24 - 48 hours. I should be done the rest by the end of tonight.
By “come live” , I mean they’ll be web-accessible, and your email will have a home to land in. But they’ll all have a wee page that says “recovering from a server crash: site coming right along.” And that’s it until we restore your backups.
If you haven’t been in contact, please get with me elaine (at) techdonkey (dot) com or hit the contact page or the support section on this site — they’re all working fine. We’ll be needing to talk about your backup strategy.
Thanks so much for your patience in this techy hell.
-Elaine
UPDATE: July 26, 1:46 am
Almost every live site I host has had a new account opened for it on the new server, and everyone (well, there’s still about five or six people to go, but I’ll get to them before I go to bed) should have rec’d an email with their new account info, which in as many cases as possible is Just Like The Old Info. (new IP! new server! same user/pass.)
I will have swapped the name servers on every domain name I personally manage, to point to the new server. If you manage your own domain / details, you’ll have rec’d an addition to your account details email marked “ACTION REQUIRED”, and you’ll need to point you domain to thge new server as soon as possible. If you didn’t get one of these, then I’ve done it for you already.
More details in the morning!
Still more thanks for your patience through this very trying time.
-Elaine
