How do I ‘clear old database tables’? Please help!

rhyspippard
(@rhyspippard)

18 years, 2 months ago

I’ve recently been having troubles with my WordPress blog. So I decided to delete all the files from my webspace and reinstall WordPress from scratch.

When I had reloaded all of the files onto my webspace, I then ran the web address: http://www.myexamplewebpagename.com/wp-admin/install.php

To my surprise, I received the following error message:

“You appear to have already installed WordPress. To reinstall please clear your old database tables first.”

I would really like to know how I can delete these tables so that I can completely start again with my blog.

Please help!

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

whooami
(@whooami)

18 years, 2 months ago

http://ww.wp.xz.cn/search/delete+tables?forums=1

See #4.

Thread Starter rhyspippard
(@rhyspippard)

18 years, 2 months ago

The response in post number four reads:
“phpMyadmin: select all the tables and “Drop”. This will keep the database itself (which you need anyway) but will delete all the selected tables.”

I don’t understand what this means. I can’t find any file called ‘phpMyadmin’.

I am sorry to be ignorant.

Please help!

Thank you

whooami
(@whooami)

18 years, 2 months ago

Ignorance doesnt need to stop you from using the search:

http://codex.ww.wp.xz.cn/phpMyAdmin

It doesnt matter what way you use to access your database. Ask your host to explain their preferred method to you.

The method is the same — you DROP the tables.

boober
(@boober)

18 years, 2 months ago

maybe a plugin would be more appropriate for someone who doesnt know how to access their database

http://justinsomnia.org/2006/04/wordpress-suicide/

whooami
(@whooami)

18 years, 2 months ago

prolly a tough call since they want to delete the wp tables, and a plugin needs wordpress. But I spose 🙂

Thread Starter rhyspippard
(@rhyspippard)

18 years, 2 months ago

Thank you for pointing me to the phpMyadmin page. I found a plugin which allowed me to drop the old database tables and start again.

I am now really happy! 🙂

brutedawg
(@brutedawg)

17 years, 6 months ago

so if you WANT to keep all your posts and you get this ‘clear old database tables’ hiccup in the installation process? do you drop them, run the wp install then import a DB backup of the original tables?

itsdesignrelated
(@itsdesignrelated)

17 years, 3 months ago

i need help….

all week i’ve been running into problems….the latest problem is

You appear to have already installed WordPress. To reinstall please clear your old database tables first.

where and how do i go about doing this? I’ve read through the articles and still dont understand it. Do i have go into my Godaddy account and Uninstall wordpress? Im soooo confused. please help!

figaro
(@figaro)

17 years, 3 months ago

@tsdesignrelated: Just open your wp-config.php file and find the table prefix…it will be about 2/3 of the way down and it will probably be wp_

Just change that prefix to something different, like wp1_ and save. Then visit your blog url and you should be able to install.

itsdesignrelated
(@itsdesignrelated)

17 years, 3 months ago

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

figaro
(@figaro)

17 years, 3 months ago

You’re welcome.