This guide details the error "Database connection error: could not connect to mysql" that may occur when making changes around an Infomaniak hosting on which the Web app Joomla is installed.

Preamble

• To get the site working again, you need to check and update some information in the Joomla configuration.php file:
  1. The database name — this is often a prefix that has been added before the existing database name and the username (for example dbname before, abcd_dbname after).
  2. The database host server (for example mysql.domain.xyz before, abcd.myd.infomaniak.com after).
  3. The username that accesses the database (for example dbuser before, abcd_dbuser after).
  4. The path of two directories /tmp and /logs.

Get the updated information

For points 1, 2 and 3 of the preamble above:

1. Click here to access the management of your product on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product concerned.
3. Click on Database in the left sidebar.
4. Find and keep your current MySQL information (need help?).

For point 4 of the preamble above:

1. Click here to access the management of your product on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the product concerned.
3. Click on Manage under Advanced settings:
   
4. Click on the PHP | Apache tab.
5. Copy the path displayed in the first field under Auto Prepend File at the bottom:
   

Edit the Joomla configuration.php file

Prerequisites

• Create an FTP account (need help?).
• Connect via FTP (need help?).

Then edit the configuration.php file which is located in the root folder of your Joomla:

1. Replace the old log and tmp paths with the new path:
   
2. Find the relevant paragraphs for the rest of the preamble information above:
   
3. Save the file; your Joomla will now connect to the correct database.

Check the changes made

On the Joomla interface, it is possible to check the paths of the /logs and /tmp folders:

• For the /logs folder: go to System / Configuration then Logs:
  
• For the /tmp folder: go to System / Configuration then Server: