When I first saw my website up again yesterday, I was not surprised that it was back-dated to 20 Dec 2009 (because I was told earlier) and not happy about it too.

What I have done to restore my websites are:-

1.  Replace the database with my backup copy.  I really want to thank myself that I have done it on 1 Jan 2010.

2.  My website now had missing pictures, then I had to dig out photos that I have posted since 20 December 2009 until the latest.  Can you guess how many photos I had to upload?  187 photos.

3.  There were error warning messages (luckily it’s only warning but not error) because the new server is using new version of PHP 5.3.  The messages appeared on the very top of my website which make everything out of alignment.  Instead of waiting for the web host to solve it, I tried to dig out the source code of my wordpress and try to solve it.

All of the  warning messages are similar:-

Deprecated: Assigning the return value of new by reference is deprecated in \home\xxxx\xxxx.php on line xxx

I solved it successfully by digging out the files searching for the line number stated, and then edit the codes:-  Any syntax with & new should be change to new and the problems gone.

***  However, this morning, I noticed that the web host has change their PHP to an older version :O .  Luckily, it did not affect my website layout again.

I am faster than the web host to fix the problem, may be they were too busy, and I wanted my website to be in good condition as soon as possible.

4.  SiewPeng and I have 2 posts written on 1 Jan and 2 Jan 2010, they were not in my backup.  Therefore I have to retype copy and paste them and repost the photos again.  We always keep a copy of what we have written.  :)

5.  Next, I try to search my email to see if there is any comments from our visitors which can be restored, but cannot find any.  :(  I know there were missing comments.

Should I consider myself lucky because those were the only things that I have lost permanently?

I have also spent extra hours to fix the problems above, but I have learned something new in PHP.

Again, most importantly I have learned that BACKUP IS IMPORTANT.

I have considered to move to another host.

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I have a strange feeling when I first saw my website after a few days.

It looks strange to me, and I thought that I have taken time machine and went back to the past because the old posts are shown on the home page.

What would you feel if your blog’s homepage is showing you older posts?