Someones server hosting my website has dissappeared, how can I retreive it?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by pieman_fellis, Nov 21, 2006.

  1. #1
    Basically I used a one man company to host my websites, he has now dissappeared and I need to retreive my website (as the server is down) to host on another server.

    If I contact the hosting company will they give me copies of my website? I do not know who the hosting company is? How do I find this out? I tried a whois but this was no help.

    Thanks all!

    ps. I know I should have a backup but this was not possible.
     
    pieman_fellis, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  2. eddy2099

    eddy2099 Peon

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    #2
    Well, sadly the hosting company usually may not deal with clients of their clients as there is no way to determine your identity. Their contract is with their customer and not anyone else.
     
    eddy2099, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  3. ServerUnion

    ServerUnion Peon

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    #3
    Have you tried to see if any of the search engines have a cache of the site? Might be a way to get some of the content back... Good luck...
     
    ServerUnion, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  4. Kalyse

    Kalyse Peon

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    #4
    I would guess that there is no way t oget your content back and i doubt that you will be able to.
     
    Kalyse, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  5. pieman_fellis

    pieman_fellis Peon

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    #5
    How can I find out the hosting company?

    I really need a copy of the whole website.
     
    pieman_fellis, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  6. lpstong

    lpstong Notable Member

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    #6
    It looks like he took the domains and ran. My best bet at this moment is to go back to your registar and find out the DNS server. This may be one way to find out who the hosting company is.

    My other thought would be to find a new hosting company, change the DNS info to them and start over again. I know you may not like the idea of having to rebuild. But it is better than not having a site.

    Unless the domain is not in your name.....Than you are totally stuck.
     
    lpstong, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  7. pieman_fellis

    pieman_fellis Peon

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    #7
    Once I have the DNS will I be able to locate the hosting company? If so how? Will they supply me with my website? Thanks
     
    pieman_fellis, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  8. ServerUnion

    ServerUnion Peon

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    #8
    You will just have to ask them and see...
     
    ServerUnion, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  9. lpstong

    lpstong Notable Member

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    #9
    Do you own the domains? If yes, than they may be helpful in this pursuit. You may just have to go with the option, if you do own the domains, to find a new hosting company and rebuild.
     
    lpstong, Nov 21, 2006 IP
  10. AgileHosting

    AgileHosting Peon

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    #10
    It is very, very, very unlikely that the data center will be of any help to the end-user. The usual reply 99% of the time is "so sorry" --

    The reason being, the data centers' privacy policies do not allow them to speak to outside parties about their clients. Even if your website was hosted on the server, it wasn't your server, therefore you are not privvy to any information regarding the client's (your host's) relationship/server with the data center. Including access to your own data. Sounds crazy, I know, but that's where the lines are drawn in the industry.

    I am sorry I don't have better news to deliver. Just sharing my personal experience as a former data center employee & long-time web host.


    Hope this helps... again, I am sorry I don't have better news. Good luck!!!

    :D Bailey
     
    AgileHosting, Nov 24, 2006 IP
  11. pieman_fellis

    pieman_fellis Peon

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    #11
    The truth hurts, but this is life! I appreciate the comment.
     
    pieman_fellis, Nov 24, 2006 IP
  12. Barti1987

    Barti1987 Well-Known Member

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    #12
    Usually the mother company will give you your content if you prove to them that the content is truly yours (orginal files, psd) and if you can tell them that the reseller is not responding.

    Peace,
     
    Barti1987, Nov 27, 2006 IP
  13. LuckyBambu

    LuckyBambu Peon

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    #13
    Exactly. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Clients don't have a right to find out account information that I share with the data center under their privacy policy.
     
    LuckyBambu, Nov 27, 2006 IP