Moodle Database Recovery: mdlnb_files Corruption
Budget: $250 – $750 CAD
Project Title: Moodle Database Recovery Specialist Needed – Corrupted mdlnb_files Table / InnoDB / Moodle File Records
We are looking for an experienced Moodle specialist, DBA, or Linux/MySQL/MariaDB recovery expert to help recover an active Moodle site affected by database corruption.
Background:
The Moodle site is used by an active school. During preparation for a server OS upgrade/ELevate to AlmaLinux 8, hosting support found corruption in the Moodle database. The main affected database is:
omapleacademyonl_867
The corrupted table appears to be:
mdlnb_files
Hosting support attempted InnoDB recovery up to level 3, but they were not able to fully recover/dump the table. They were able to dump the database without the mdlnb_files table and import it into a test database:
omapleacademyonl_867_test
However, because mdlnb_files is missing, the Moodle site will likely have serious issues with uploaded files, assignment submissions, course resources, feedback files, embedded PDFs, and other Moodle file references.
Available recovery materials:
Current live database: omapleacademyonl_867
Test database dumped without mdlnb_files: omapleacademyonl_867_test
Partial dump of corrupted table:
/home/omapleacademyonl/omapleacademyonl_867.mdlnb_files.sql
Older database backup from July 4, 2024:
/root/dbbackups/2024-07-04_1459/omapleacademyonl_867.sql
Single-table backup from 2024:
/root/dbbackups/mdlnb_files.sql
Important concern:
The 2024 backup is very old. Restoring the full 2024 database to the live site is not acceptable because it would cause data from July 4, 2024 to now to be missing.
The goal is to preserve as much current Moodle data as possible, especially files and file records from 2024 to now.
Scope of Work:
The specialist will be expected to:
Review the current database corruption issue and available backups/dumps.
Assess whether the current corrupted mdlnb_files table can be partially or fully recovered.
Review the partial dump file:
/home/omapleacademyonl/omapleacademyonl_867.mdlnb_files.sql
Compare the partial dump with the 2024 version of mdlnb_files.
Recreate or rebuild the mdlnb_files table structure if necessary.
Import as much recoverable data as possible into the test database.
Confirm whether the Moodle moodledata/filedir physical file storage is intact and whether files can still be linked back to Moodle.
Advise on whether missing file records can be reconstructed using Moodle’s file storage, contenthash values, or other Moodle database references.
Help produce a recovery plan that brings the Moodle site back online while minimizing loss of student submissions, course files, teacher feedback files, and file references.
Clearly explain the risk before any destructive action is taken.
Important Requirements:
Do not overwrite the live database without approval.
Do not restore the full July 2024 database over the current live database.
Do not drop the current live database without approval.
Work should be done on a test database first wherever possible.
Must have experience with Moodle database structure, especially the mdl_files / mdlnb_files table.
Must understand Moodle’s moodledata/filedir file storage system.
Must have experience with MySQL/MariaDB, InnoDB recovery, corrupted tables, phpMyAdmin, cPanel/WHM, and Linux server environments.
Experience with Moodle disaster recovery is strongly preferred.
Deliverables:
Initial assessment of whether the corrupted mdlnb_files table can be recovered.
A safe recovery plan.
Rebuilt or partially restored mdlnb_files table in a test database.
Confirmation of what Moodle data/files are recoverable and what may be missing.
Step-by-step recommendation for bringing the live Moodle site back online.
Optional: Assistance implementing the final recovery on the live site after approval.
Please apply only if you have direct experience with Moodle database recovery or MySQL/MariaDB InnoDB corruption recovery. General WordPress or basic cPanel experience is not enough for this project.
We are looking for an experienced Moodle specialist, DBA, or Linux/MySQL/MariaDB recovery expert to help recover an active Moodle site affected by database corruption.
Background:
The Moodle site is used by an active school. During preparation for a server OS upgrade/ELevate to AlmaLinux 8, hosting support found corruption in the Moodle database. The main affected database is:
omapleacademyonl_867
The corrupted table appears to be:
mdlnb_files
Hosting support attempted InnoDB recovery up to level 3, but they were not able to fully recover/dump the table. They were able to dump the database without the mdlnb_files table and import it into a test database:
omapleacademyonl_867_test
However, because mdlnb_files is missing, the Moodle site will likely have serious issues with uploaded files, assignment submissions, course resources, feedback files, embedded PDFs, and other Moodle file references.
Available recovery materials:
Current live database: omapleacademyonl_867
Test database dumped without mdlnb_files: omapleacademyonl_867_test
Partial dump of corrupted table:
/home/omapleacademyonl/omapleacademyonl_867.mdlnb_files.sql
Older database backup from July 4, 2024:
/root/dbbackups/2024-07-04_1459/omapleacademyonl_867.sql
Single-table backup from 2024:
/root/dbbackups/mdlnb_files.sql
Important concern:
The 2024 backup is very old. Restoring the full 2024 database to the live site is not acceptable because it would cause data from July 4, 2024 to now to be missing.
The goal is to preserve as much current Moodle data as possible, especially files and file records from 2024 to now.
Scope of Work:
The specialist will be expected to:
Review the current database corruption issue and available backups/dumps.
Assess whether the current corrupted mdlnb_files table can be partially or fully recovered.
Review the partial dump file:
/home/omapleacademyonl/omapleacademyonl_867.mdlnb_files.sql
Compare the partial dump with the 2024 version of mdlnb_files.
Recreate or rebuild the mdlnb_files table structure if necessary.
Import as much recoverable data as possible into the test database.
Confirm whether the Moodle moodledata/filedir physical file storage is intact and whether files can still be linked back to Moodle.
Advise on whether missing file records can be reconstructed using Moodle’s file storage, contenthash values, or other Moodle database references.
Help produce a recovery plan that brings the Moodle site back online while minimizing loss of student submissions, course files, teacher feedback files, and file references.
Clearly explain the risk before any destructive action is taken.
Important Requirements:
Do not overwrite the live database without approval.
Do not restore the full July 2024 database over the current live database.
Do not drop the current live database without approval.
Work should be done on a test database first wherever possible.
Must have experience with Moodle database structure, especially the mdl_files / mdlnb_files table.
Must understand Moodle’s moodledata/filedir file storage system.
Must have experience with MySQL/MariaDB, InnoDB recovery, corrupted tables, phpMyAdmin, cPanel/WHM, and Linux server environments.
Experience with Moodle disaster recovery is strongly preferred.
Deliverables:
Initial assessment of whether the corrupted mdlnb_files table can be recovered.
A safe recovery plan.
Rebuilt or partially restored mdlnb_files table in a test database.
Confirmation of what Moodle data/files are recoverable and what may be missing.
Step-by-step recommendation for bringing the live Moodle site back online.
Optional: Assistance implementing the final recovery on the live site after approval.
Please apply only if you have direct experience with Moodle database recovery or MySQL/MariaDB InnoDB corruption recovery. General WordPress or basic cPanel experience is not enough for this project.