ellare wrote: well ... I am GLAD to report that the old fashioned copy-&-install worked!

so be cautious if transfering a site using Akeeba

ellare,
Were you using Akeeba Kickstart or using the Restore function from the back end? I've not had a problem using either, so I'm curious.

I don't use the "kickstart" or "restore" function.

I used this version of Akeeba
Akeeba Backup Core3.3.7 (2011-11-19)

my process is:
create the back up .zip

download the backup via FTP (not thru the site's admin backend)

create the database on new server

move backup .zip to new server

uncompress it

go to site's URL

follow install instructions and point DB to the new DB+credentials when doing the install process

remove installation folder

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this is the 2nd time Akeeba has majorly failed me with a site move by not including all necessary files.

think I'll just stick to old fashioned backups from now on.

ellare wrote: I used this version of Akeeba
Akeeba Backup Core3.3.7 (2011-11-19)

Ah! That's the free version. I don't think it supports moving a site. Or if it does, it's probably tricky, eh? Anyway, glad you got it sorted.

yes its the free version. and it works for other sites just fine. but I am learning that the more complex the site, the less likely it will work.