What's the best way to go about restoring a mysql db? I'm in the situation where I didn't have a chance to do a proper db dump so it would be a simple restore. I have all the mysql db files themselves copied to a hard drive, but I don't know how to get them restored to the current running mysql db from thier current state.

I know enough to get around in Linux in SSH and such, but there is still a ton I don't know. Any ideas?

You can copy the binary files to mysql data store folder (/usr/lib/mysql). I used to do this when i do server move. It always worked fine for me.

Make absolutely certain MySQL is shut down before restoring the database binaries or it'll just empty them.

Is mysql running?

if yes then using comman prompt, otherwise use the above method..

Peace,

thanks, trying it now.