Re: Using the /var/lib/pgsql/data directory in the absense

> Whatever version of postgresql you WERE running is the same version you
> now need to BE running.  I.e. if you were running 7.3.x, you should
> download 7.3.3 (or 7.3.4 if it's ready to go yet) and use THAT to get your
> database up and running.  Postgresql won't run databases from different
> major versions.

If i am right, Srinivas Kotapally is mentioning about redhat version 7.3,
not postgresql version.

Srinivas:

IMO, if the postgresql version(7.2.1-5) installed on redhat 7.3 and 8.0
are same, you must be able to access the db without any problem in either
redhat versions. Don't try initdb. Try pg_ctl start as postgres user on
the same data directory with -l option and get back with the error message
it returns. Also ensure the data directory is owned by postgres user.

regards,
bhuvaneswaran

>
> On Tue, 22 Jul 2003, Srinivas Kotapally wrote:
>
> > Hello all
> >
> > I am a newbie PostgreSQL DB admin.  I have the following problem:
> > 1. I have a redhat 8 box which has postgres installed.
> > 2. I have reinstalled postgresql 7.2.1-5 (native postgres installation on
> > RedHat 7.3) on the redhat 8.0
> > 3. I don't have the database backups from my 7.3 installation - I however
> > have access to the /var/lib/pgsql/data directory.
> >
> > My question is... can I use this to recover the database from the 7.3
> > version.  We got hacked and the earlier system was unusable.
> >
> > I tired to do an initdb but it would not let me provide the existing data
> > directory and got the following:
> >
> > -bash-2.05b$ initdb
> > The files belonging to this database system will be owned by "postgres".
> > This use must also own the server process.
> >
> > initdb: The directory /var/lib/pgsql/data exists but is not empty.
> > If you want to create a new database system, either remove or empty the
> > directory /var/lib/pgsql/data or run initdb with an argument other than
> > /var/lib/pgsql/data.
> >
> > I tried to do fire up the postmaster process and could not fire up the DB.
> > I don't get a message the system just returns to the prompt without starting
> > the database.
> >
> > Any help would be welcome!!
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Srinivas
> >
> >
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