Disaster: Database Connection Error
A few days back, ReviewBluehost.com has its first outage and was down for more than 3 hours.
I didn’t really know the actual down time because I was not tracking closely on the website but it’s confirmed to be more than 3 hours. All three MySQL databases with my Bluehost account *disappeared* (thus the connection error). I wasn’t sure why that was happening but it scares the hell out of me.
Without any delay I emailed Bluehost and yelled for help.
The first the support staff I encountered wasn’t what’s happening but he quickly referred me to the upper level. In his own words – he’s referring me to their company ‘engineer’. The folks at support department was professional and didn’t do much ‘PR talks’. After about an hour of silence from the supports, all three databases were back and ReviewBluehost.com is back to normal.
At first I had the feelings that my databases were accidentally removed but Bluehost refused the possibility of that. I tried to ask for an explanation after everything is fixed but there were not much to be told. MySQL server down was the official explanation for the incident:
Dear Customer,
The databases are not deleted they just wont show up if the MySQL Server goes down because cPanel and your scripts wont be able to connect to them. It should resolve usually with in 5-60 minutes depending on what has to be done.
Thanks
Brandon O.
Level 2 Scripting Specialist
Bluehost.com
866.573.4678
Well if this is true, I hope you are not hosting on the same MySQL server with me coz this means your site/blog could be down at that time as well.
Mircea @ MyTestBox.com said,
Wrote on March 27, 2009 @ 1:42 am
You don’t say anything about their backup policy. And that’s how I lost my site: http://www.mytestbox.com/news/how-bluehostcom-web-hosting-company-destroys-their-hard-earned-reputation/
Not to mention that what happened to you with the database happened to me 2 times before after about 5 months of hosting without problems.
Bluehost is for hobbist…no one serious should host the site there and I have learned the hard way.
Kumar said,
Wrote on September 11, 2010 @ 8:52 am
I have hosted 39 wordpress sites on Bluehost and within first 3 weeks I have been encountered with Database Error Connection 4 times, while everything was correct from the Database Credential to script. Technical support say it will be resolved within 30-45 mins. Tired of their bad technical services, thinking to shift to other service provider. I have already faced this issue with Fatcow (nightmare experience, not even email works, be aware from Fatcow) and Godaddy.