# Developer Toolbox # XAMPP Backup and Recovery # Backing Up a XAMPP Project A XAMPP project usually consists of two parts: 1. The website files stored in the `htdocs` folder. 2. The MySQL database storing the application's data. To create a complete backup, both parts must be saved. --- ## Create a Backup Folder Create a folder somewhere safe, such as: ```text OneDrive - Department of Education └── XAMPP Backups ``` Inside it create: ```text XAMPP Backups ├── Website Files └── Databases ``` [![](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/image-1781051544998.png)](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/image-1781051544998.png) ## Back Up the Website Files Open the XAMPP installation folder. Example: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\ ``` Locate your project folder. Example: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\security_dashboard ``` Copy the entire project folder into: ```text XAMPP Backups └── Website Files ``` Your backup should now contain: ```text Website Files └── security_dashboard ``` This backup includes: - HTML files - PHP files - CSS files - JavaScript files - Images - JSON files ## Open phpMyAdmin Open phpMyAdmin in your browser. Example: [http://localhost/phpmyadmin/](http://localhost/phpmyadmin/) Select the database used by your project. Example: ```text project_db ``` ## Export the Database Click: ```text Export ``` Choose: ```text Method: Quick Format: SQL ``` Click: ```text Export ``` A file similar to the following will be downloaded: ```text project_db.sql ``` [![](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/image-1781051677167.png)](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/image-1781051677167.png) ## Save the Database Backup Move the downloaded SQL file into: ```text XAMPP Backups └── Databases ``` Your backup folder should now contain: ```text XAMPP Backups ├── Website Files │ └── security_dashboard │ └── Databases └── project_db.sql ``` ## Test the Backup Before making major changes to a project, check that: - Website files have been copied successfully. - The SQL file exists. - The SQL file is not empty. A backup is only useful if it can be restored. --- ## Complete Backup Checklist ### Website Files ```text ✔ Project folder copied ✔ Images copied ✔ CSS copied ✔ JavaScript copied ✔ PHP files copied ``` ### Database ```text ✔ Database selected ✔ Export completed ✔ SQL file saved ``` --- ## Backup Structure Example ```text XAMPP Backups ├── Website Files │ └── security_dashboard │ ├── index.php │ ├── dashboard.php │ ├── css │ ├── js │ └── images │ └── Databases └── project_db.sql ``` You now have a complete backup of your XAMPP project. Next tutorial: **Restoring a XAMPP Project from Backup**. # Restoring a XAMPP Project from BackupNew Page If a project is accidentally deleted, corrupted, moved to another computer, or you need to continue working from a backup, both the website files and database must be restored. This tutorial demonstrates how to restore a complete XAMPP project from a backup. --- ## Backup Requirements Before restoring, you should have: ```text XAMPP Backups ├── Website Files │ └── security_dashboard │ └── Databases └── project_db.sql ``` The project folder contains your website files and the SQL file contains your database backup. --- ## Restore the Website Files Open your backup folder. Example: ```text XAMPP Backups └── Website Files └── security_dashboard ``` Copy the entire project folder. --- ## Copy the Files into htdocs Open: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\ ``` Paste the project folder into the `htdocs` directory. Example: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\security_dashboard ``` Your project should now appear inside the XAMPP web server folder. ## Start XAMPP Open the XAMPP Control Panel. Start: ```text Apache MySQL ``` [![](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/image-1781051802720.png)](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/image-1781051802720.png) ## Open phpMyAdmin Open: [http://localhost/phpmyadmin/](http://localhost/phpmyadmin/) You should now see the phpMyAdmin home page. --- ## Create the Database Click: ```text New ``` Create a database using the original database name. Example: ```text project_db ``` Click: ```text Create ``` ## Import the Database Backup Select the newly created database. Click: ```text Import ``` Choose: ```text project_db.sql ``` Click: ```text Import ``` phpMyAdmin will restore all tables and records from the backup file. [![](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/image-1781051867640.png)](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/image-1781051867640.png) ## Verify the Database Select the restored database. You should see the original tables. Example: ```text project_db ├── users └── security_events ``` Click on a table and verify that records are present. ## Test the Website Open your project in a browser. Example: [http://localhost/security_dashboard/](http://localhost/security_dashboard/) Check that: - Pages load correctly. - Images display correctly. - Login systems work. - Database data appears correctly. ## Common Problems ### Database Connection Error Check: ```text Database name Username Password ``` inside your PHP connection file. Example: ```php $conn = new mysqli( "localhost", "root", "", "project_db" ); ``` The database name must match the restored database. --- ### Table Not Found Example error: ```text Table 'project_db.users' doesn't exist ``` Solution: - Confirm the SQL file imported successfully. - Verify the table exists in phpMyAdmin. - Re-import the database if required. --- ### Page Not Found Example: ```text 404 Not Found ``` Solution: - Verify the project folder is inside: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\ ``` - Check the URL is correct. --- ## Restoration Checklist ### Website Files ```text ✔ Project folder copied to htdocs ✔ Images restored ✔ CSS restored ✔ JavaScript restored ✔ PHP files restored ``` ### Database ```text ✔ Database created ✔ SQL file imported ✔ Tables restored ✔ Records restored ``` ### Testing ```text ✔ Website loads ✔ Database connection works ✔ Login system works ✔ Data displays correctly ``` --- ## Complete Restoration Process ```text Backup Folder ↓ Copy Project Files ↓ Paste into htdocs ↓ Create Database ↓ Import SQL File ↓ Test Website ``` You have successfully restored a XAMPP project from a backup. Next tutorial: **Moving a XAMPP Project to Another Computer**. # Moving a XAMPP Project to Another Computer One of the advantages of using XAMPP is that projects can easily be moved between computers. This is useful when: - Working between school and home. - Upgrading to a new computer. - Sharing a project with a teacher. - Creating a backup before reinstalling Windows. A complete project transfer requires: 1. Website files. 2. Database files. --- ## On the Original Computer Before moving the project, create a backup. You should have: ```text XAMPP Backups ├── Website Files │ └── security_dashboard │ └── Databases └── project_db.sql ``` If you have not already created a backup, refer to: ```text Backing Up a XAMPP Project ``` --- ## Copy the Backup Files Copy the backup folder to: - USB drive - External hard drive - OneDrive - Google Drive Example: ```text USB Drive └── XAMPP Backups ``` [![image-1781051544998.png](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/image-1781051544998.png)](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/image-1781051544998.png) ## Install XAMPP on the New Computer Download XAMPP: https://www.apachefriends.org/ Install XAMPP using the default settings. The installation folder will usually be: ```text C:\xampp\ ``` ## Start XAMPP Open the XAMPP Control Panel. Start: ```text Apache MySQL ``` Both services should show a green status. [![image-1781051802720.png](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/image-1781051802720.png)](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/image-1781051802720.png) ## Copy the Website Files Open: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\ ``` Copy the project folder from your backup. Example: ```text security_dashboard ``` Paste it into: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\ ``` Your folder structure should now look like: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\ └── security_dashboard ``` ## Create the Database Open phpMyAdmin: [http://localhost/phpmyadmin/](http://localhost/phpmyadmin/) Click: ```text New ``` Create a database with the same name as the original project. Example: ```text project_db ``` Click: ```text Create ``` ## Import the Database Backup Select: ```text project_db ``` Click: ```text Import ``` Choose: ```text project_db.sql ``` Click: ```text Import ``` Wait for the import to complete. [![image-1781051867640.png](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/image-1781051867640.png)](https://mr.napper.au/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/image-1781051867640.png) ## Verify the Tables After importing, you should see the project tables. Example: ```text project_db ├── users ├── security_events └── products ``` Your tables may differ depending on the project. ## Check the Database Connection Open the database connection file used by the project. Example: ```php $conn = new mysqli( "localhost", "root", "", "project_db" ); ``` Verify: - Database name is correct. - Username is correct. - Password is correct. The default XAMPP configuration uses: ```text Server: localhost Username: root Password: (blank) ``` --- ## Test the Website Open: ```text http://localhost/security_dashboard/ ``` Check: - Pages load correctly. - Images display correctly. - Database content appears. - Login systems work. - Forms submit correctly. ## Common Problems ### Database Not Found Example: ```text Unknown database 'project_db' ``` Solution: - Create the database. - Import the SQL backup. --- ### Table Not Found Example: ```text Table 'project_db.users' doesn't exist ``` Solution: - Verify the SQL file imported successfully. - Check the table exists in phpMyAdmin. --- ### Access Denied Example: ```text Access denied for user 'root' ``` Solution: - Check the database username and password. - Verify MySQL is running. --- ### Page Not Found Example: ```text 404 Not Found ``` Solution: - Confirm the project folder is inside: ```text C:\xampp\htdocs\ ``` - Verify the URL matches the folder name. --- ## Transfer Checklist ### Website Files ```text ✔ Project folder copied ✔ Files restored to htdocs ✔ Images restored ✔ CSS restored ✔ JavaScript restored ✔ PHP files restored ``` ### Database ```text ✔ Database created ✔ SQL file imported ✔ Tables restored ✔ Data restored ``` ### Testing ```text ✔ Website loads ✔ Database connection works ✔ Forms work ✔ Login works ✔ Data displays correctly ``` --- ## Complete Process ```text Original Computer ↓ Create Backup ↓ Copy to USB / Cloud Storage ↓ Install XAMPP ↓ Copy Website Files ↓ Create Database ↓ Import SQL File ↓ Test Website ``` You have successfully moved a XAMPP project to another computer. # Helper Tools # HTML & CSS Fixer The HTML & CSS Fixer helps identify common mistakes in HTML and CSS code. The tool highlights problems and suggests fixes using comments so you can correct the code yourself. --- ## The Tool Can Help Find - Missing closing tags - Incorrect nesting - Missing quotation marks - Missing semicolons - Missing curly braces - Common HTML and CSS syntax errors --- ## Accessing the Tool Open: [https://tools.napper.au/html-fixer/](https://tools.napper.au/html-fixer/) This tool requires an **access key**. If prompted, please ask your teacher for the current access key. --- ## Remember The HTML & CSS Fixer is a debugging tool. It helps you find problems, but you are still responsible for understanding and applying the fixes yourself. --- **Open Tool:** [https://tools.napper.au/html-fixer/](https://tools.napper.au/html-fixer/) # PHP Password Hasher The PHP Password Hasher generates secure password hashes for use in PHP login systems. This tool is useful when: - Adding users directly in phpMyAdmin. - Resetting passwords during development. - Testing login systems. - Verifying that a password matches a stored hash. --- ## Using the Hash in phpMyAdmin Example: ```sql INSERT INTO users (username, password) VALUES ( 'admin', '$2y$10$z2QfYt0B0e9D9I5Yj7M4VuqhZgN3bU5QeK2Yl2sL5vLJ6m6r4Q9uO' ); ``` --- ## Accessing the Tool [Open PHP Password Hasher](https://tools.napper.au/password-hasher/) --- ## Remember Passwords should **never** be stored as plain text in a database. Always use: ```php password_hash() ``` to create passwords and ```php password_verify() ``` to check passwords during login.