Forum Moderators: mack
That is truly unfortunate. If you need a website right now, I would get a new host that you know is reliable with a similar domain name, as you said. Then somehow track down your old host.
Good luck!
Mack.
The domain regitrations and sales dept seem to be a separate entity from the web server and tech support, and I found an old e-mail receipt with their number.
I'm glad I've found this forum: there is a great deal of useful info here. Thanks again! There is hope (throw more money at the problem and be patient...) Dinibois
2. Get third-party DNS, or if you are not convinced, at least use the registrar's DNS (NOT the hosting company's!)
3. Change your DNS servers at the registrar PRONTO. Do this before step 4 and make sure it has deployed, because once you start step 4, you will not be able to make changes to DNS servers until the transfer is complete.
4. If the web host was acting as a reseller, transfer your domain name out to another registrar PRONTO. Note that this is not possible the first 60 days after registration, and in some cases for the first 60 days after renewal or some other changes (such as name change).
You will need to UNLOCK your domain at your current registrar, then wait for the unlock to hit the WHOIS servers. (24-48 hours). Then, you initiate a trasfer from the NEW registrar. Pay careful attention to your emails over the next couple of days, because you will have to jump through various hoops, and you are also vulnerable to domain hijacks while unlocked. (Just make sure you read emails CAREFULLY, and don't approve a transfer without checking over the information carefully.)
When you transfer, you get credit for your unexpired term, plus one year. The cost of a transfer is typically the same or in some cases a couple of dollars less than a renewal. So, there is no reason not to go ahead and transfer NOW.
As long as your name, address, and email are shown as registrant, you should be OK. Make sure this information is up to date and WORKS. You MUST be able to be contacted at the listed address, phone number, and email. This is essential if you are to successfully transfer your registration. Registrars will make you jump through various hoops to transfer out, and a common excuse they make for not completing a transfer is that they couldn't contact you.
It doesn't seem wise to have the web hosting company anywhere in the domain-name loop. So, if they are a reseller even though your name is on the registration, I would still transfer it out.
Once you find the ICANN registra for your domain contact them and as mentioned in this thread be ready to provide all the information you need for the domain, address etc.
They should be able to unlock it for you so you can move it some where else providing you fax a request to the actual registra together with some ID.
And as you have found out never allow your web host to deal with your domain registrations always keep this seperate with another company.
Hopefully that helps.
Explain to them the situation and see if they can help. If that person does not, hang up and call back. Then ask for a supervisor. If the domain name is in your name, they should be able to help you out with a faxed copy of your ID or something
-Corey
