changing name servers, my site is down

[AmyNY]

At 5pm I changed hosts. FTPed the site (to Westhost). Checked to see it was there by searching the new IP #. Went to the old host and changed the nameservers. The site came down immediately. Can't find a way to redirect temporarily. Hope SE doesn't look for the site and remove from SE. Called Westhost and the person said to wait 24 to 48 hrs. It doesn't make sense that the site should be down 24 to 48 hrs. What did I do wrong? What can I do now?

Amy

[RoadRash]

All you can do is wait. Next time, change the 2nd server to the new host 3 days in advance, then change the 1st name server when you are ready to move. No down time :)

[jdMorgan]

Amy,

Something is not right. Assuming your site is still present on the old server, there should be no interruption of service.

You can use the Zone Transfer tool in Sam Spade and this How to check your DNS [rscott.org] tutorial to figure it out.

HTH,
Jim

[Jenstar]

Did you already cancel the hosting with your original host? If so, see if you can get it back for the next week or so, until all nameservers have been updated. Often people change the DNS, then go right away to cancel the original hosting without taking into account the amount of time it takes for the DNS to propogate and all the nameservers to be updated. This would cause the situation you are describing.

[AmyNY]

Now 9:30am and we're still down. Called the old host, Directnic ($15 a year - what should I expect). There is nothing they can do to keep the site up. Ran the trace route at Sam Spade. Found 2 errors but don't know what I can do about them. Looks like I'm stuck.

Amy

[AmyNY]

Site's up. Thanks for your help. The new host had to reconfigure something else and the site started working.

Amy