How to solve “Object not found!” issue when files are placed manually in DesktopServer

Yesterday I tried using BackupBuddy for taking a full backup of a site that was hosted on Synthesis and backup process did not finish and failed due to a problem with the zip command. Checking alternate zip method did not help.

I then used the free Duplicator plugin and it had no problems taking the site’s backup.

I wanted to restore this site on my localhost which is powered by DesktopServer. Therefore I placed the generated zip file and installer.php in a “test.dev” folder that I manually created inside the Websites folder (/Users/sridharkatakam/Documents/Websites/test.dev).

Added 127.0.0.1 test.dev in hosts file using Gas Mask.

Went to http://test.dev/installer.php in a browser only to see “Object not found!”

Restarting DesktopServer didn’t help.

I sent a support ticket to ServerPress saying I know that I can just import the Duplicator generated zip file directly in DS and in fact that is what I did. But I also want to know how to make DS see and serve the files that I have manually placed.

Support replied:

When DesktopServer creates a site it does more then just place the WordPress code into a folder on your system.
– Creates the folder on your system
– Creates a Database
– Inserts an entry into the HOSTS file
– Inserts an entry into the vhosts file in Apache

If you are going to try things manually. Create a new site using the Blank Blueprint included with DesktopServer this will make sure the correct steps get taken so the test.dev site can be found and you don’t get a “Object not found!”

To make DesktopServer recognize and serve files especially when you are trying to restore a website manually, just create a new development website using the “Blank (non-WordPress)” blueprint. You may want to delete the generated index.html, place your site’s files and work away.