You can't unzip the files and make it easier - that was just a way for me to explain what your resource files actually consist of (I'm quite impressed with how all this works!!)
You know - you could simply backup the whole site, ftp to server and backup your db - and ask your hoster to attach the db. This is how I work with my clients, but my hosting environment is very different to the standard hosting, it's more about working with clients who just want to do their sites and have someone handle this sort of thing.
You could also export the text html modules and import them, I found on one occasion, I lost the html module export feature and found out that it was because I gave it a friendly name, so when I reinstalled it, it gave me the export feature again.
You also need to ensure all the modules are on there first when you go to import.. otherwise they just don't work. Also, I'm not sure if its been fixed but things like links module have to be retouched, so really, because I've been through what you've been 100 times over, I understand what you can and can't import.
So, in summary a few things which I do EVERY TIME I install using wizard.
- make the skins are installed
- make the modules are installed
- make sure I back up the site - it's horrible when it goes wrong
- look at exporting module content and ftping to site, but delete or remove them from the site prior to exporting the portal or you are carrying extra baggage
- make sure you do a portal backup of the existing site
It's really trial and error till you get the mix of what exports and what doesnt. I think it's brilliant, but has it's limitations which I don't think are any fault of DNN but more the limitations of internet in general and I was particularly impressed when I exported a catalook site, imported to new location, including pages, store products and specific categories on individual pages, and, although there was nothing in the site (you have to reupload the products) when I uploaded using the XLS files I had in the directory - everything was in place. It just magically appeared :-D.. which I suppose is only fair - since I've had some disasters too.
I hope this helps you get on track - and yes - I've had to redo sites many times.. but get your self setup for expecting things to break and if they do, it's not hard to back track.
Nina Meiers
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