When I go to restore the database it appears to be doing something for a second then just displays a blank page with the below link:

/zp-core/utilities/backup_restore.php?XSRFToken=7c52003a52f8cb6375a624a1bdad5f31307455df&backupfile=backup-2013_12_07-16_57_12&restore=true

I can backup the database just fine - but even that backup won't restore.

Current install is 1.4.3.4 (same as backup file) but I also tried with 1.4.5.7 and I was experiencing the same exact thing...

Would like to get back up and running with 1.4.3.4 then I can upgrade...

Any advice?

You need to check your server error logs as for sure there must be an error occurring. The link above is simply the link for the restore.

Possible causes:

A server timeout (Zenphoto tries to extend the script execution time, but some hosts do not allow this.)

A file/folder permissions issue (not likely if the backup did work, but you never know with some server configurations.)

A problem with the database.

But without the specific error message we are just guessing.

Hmmm ok I'll look into it. I have a bunch of other zen installs on the same server so I know it works. I have one HUGE one that works fine so I don't think it's a timeout issue. What should I look at with regards to a permissions thing?

Does this shed any light on the situation?

{Thu, 12 Dec 2013 21:12:51 GMT} Zenphoto v1.4.3.4[10988]
Backtrace: USER ERROR: MySql Error: ( SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM [prefix]admintoobject ) failed. MySql returned the error Table 'leadgtr_com._admintoobject' doesn't exist in /hermes/bosoraweb052/b2875/ipg.mikemartinellicom/LeadGTR/zp-core/functions-db-MySQL.php on line 59
trigger_error called
from query (functions-db-MySQL.php [59])
from db_show (functions-db-MySQL.php [267])
from db_list_fields (functions-db-MySQL.php [278])
from backup_restore.php [263]

Yes, that is a problem that has been fixed. But you will need to load the support build on Github. That fix has not made it into an official release yet.

Cool - can you post a link - no idea what to look for over there.
Thanks

The link to the support build is on the Zenphoto homepage right next to the "Download" buttons.
1.4.5.7 Support builds (GitHub)

https://github.com/zenphoto/zenphoto/archive/master.zip

Ok thanks - do I have to "upgrade" the whole thing or can I just copy over a specific file or files?

Also, is there a support build for 1.4.3.4? I wanted to get going completely with that before I upgrade to the latest.

Thanks

Please always upgrade the whole package and run setup.

There's no "support build" for 1.4.3.4 but you can download 1.4.3.5 from here:
http://www.zenphoto.org/news/older-versions-archive

Will 1.4.3.5 have this "fix" as well?

Apparently 1.4.3.5 doesn't have the fix...just upgraded to that - same issue.

Can anyone advise on the actual file that's bad so I can just replace it?

Of course 1.4.3.5 has no fixes in that regard. You did not really expect that, did you?

It is really recommended to frequently update your installs. That's called maintainance. That is nothing ZP specific but for all CMS. The longer you wait the more likely you may run into issues. I know this is not popular with some clients a la "It all works so why?".

Once for all: You should and can NEVER replace just one file! Always upgrade the full release because there are most likely dependencies with other changes in other places.

I know but the latest version was messing with a js slider I have and is acting weird with the color box login popup. Can't figure out the issue and the older version works perfectly. Just trying to get up and running.

I understand but such dependencies belong to said maintainance. I guess you are using a third party or custom theme then. Most likely the slider script is too old and not compatible anymore with newer jQuery we ship (there is a browser log for that btw).

I just upgraded a site straight from 1.3 to 1.4.5.7. The only real issue was a specific jQuery script I gladly found a newer compatible version. All else were some minor theme changes with deprecated functions mainly the theme filters. Gladly the custom theme was a rather uncomplicated one with nearly no plugin use though.