recovering files from tsoHost

[Colin0->1]

In mid-April, I received an e-mail from tsoHost saying that my free hosting package would be closed down in mid-May: "don't panic", the e-mail said in large letters. It did not indicate what would happen when the hosting packages would end, and - therefore - that I needed to buy a hosting package if I wanted to keep my websites up. There was no follow-up e-mail.

Thus, I've just discovered that my websites are down. More importantly, I cannot access the public HTML files that were in them. (The sites are personal sites, so this isn't mission critical.)

I would like access to my HTML files. tsoHost Support wasn't able to help (paraphrase: they sent me an e-mail; it's my fault), but has raised a ticket to escalate.

Does anyone have experience trying to recover HTML files from tsoHost once they've shut a hosting package? If so, any advice? I'm struck by how unprofessional - and insensitive to the needs of busy customers - this is: no clear instructions; no reminders; no transfer/archiving of my files; no responsibility by the Support person.

Thanks,

Colin

 

[ryedale]

Was it a static HTML site?

If so, then chances, you'll be able to get a full copy or close to it from from Way Back when

https://archive.org/web/

 

[fisicx]

The sites have probably been wiped from the server. Which means you either use the way back machine or you might be lucky and still find them in the cache.

Are you sure the email from tsohost didn’t give instructions on what to do next?

 

[Colin0->1]

I've checked wayback machine, without success.

@fisicx: the tsoHost e-mail's instructions were oblique - "If you still need a hosting package, you can buy a new one from tsoHost". While there's no question that I didn't act on this, tsoHost's "don't panic"/"if you still need..." e-mail was very poorly worded.

 

[Darren_Ssc]

I've checked wayback machine, without success.

archive.org can be a bit buggy and sometimes it's worth making a few attempts before giving up. Since you have to actively block their crawlers it's more likely there is a record of your site than not.

There is also a UK based web archive although nowhere near as extensive:
https://www.webarchive.org.uk/en/ukwa/index

As a last resort try googling : site:yoursite.com and hope there is still a cached result for each page.

 

[fisicx]

the tsoHost e-mail's instructions were oblique.

Why an I not surprised. TSO have never been very good.

It sort of looks like you are stuffed. If you can’t find a cached copy it likely you will have to start from scratch again. Do you not have the original files on a CD somewhere?

 

[Colin0->1]

@Darren_Ssc: thanks - the plain Googling site: was a good idea.

@fisicx: tsoHost have let me back in to retrieve the files, so success.

 

[Darkterror]

It's good for you anyway that it's only a personal sites and nothing more, I would love to have some luck like yours cause you were able to retrieve anything you want really. Good to go anyway. Are they offerting free websites again or is it a problem now ?

 

[Colin0->1]

Are they offerting free websites again or is it a problem now ?

The problem arose because they shut down the free webhosting plan I was using. I'd guess that they're doing that more generally.

 

[webhostuk]

The problem arose because they shut down the free webhosting plan I was using. I'd guess that they're doing that more generally.

Thats the reason its always good to avoid free web hosting service. Now a days paid hosting does not cost much.

 

[HostXNow]

Is the website not in Google cache? You can try clicking on the triangle next to the pages you want to copy and it may show you the cached pages so you can get part of the website back.