[LivinLOS]

Let me preface this with I am not a web programmer or real forum whizz.. Just done this a few times and have 'some' ideas..

Yeah in theory... What forum SW do you use ??? Like this is an vBullitin forum.. I run a phpBB on soieasy.com etc..

My experience is usually with PHP and MySQL systems.. I have seen some running on ASP and other formats but never tried an install, to be honest phpBB / vBullitin (probably the best but not free) and invision are my fave formats.

For any of these its the MySQL database that holds the data.. Backing up the database backs up your forum content and can be restored to another forum install fairly easily.. The forum files on your webhost are not required to be backed up unless you are performing mods / hacks / etc.. Once forum runs correct for you back up your webhost data (once) then as often as you can back up your MySQL database to save the posts..

Nicke.. Thats about it isnt it ?? Never had a forum crash but I have DL'ed then deleted the online one and re upped my DB once for testing purposes..