Why doesn't "Restore database from XML work"?

[Scott Jones]

Using:  http://...secure/SetupImport.jspa

Import existing data:

File Name: C:\Program Files\Atlassian\JIRA-7.4.3-back.zip

Error:  

Error importing from zip file: "C:\Program Files\Atlassian\JIRA-7.4.3-back.zip". Error: Unable to find JIRA backup (entities.xml) inside of zip file: C:\Program Files\Atlassian\JIRA-7.4.3-back.zip

[Andy Heinzer]

That feature is looking for a zip file that contains exactly two files with the names

active-objects.xml

and

entities.xml

Given the error message you are seeing, this means that your "JIRA-7.4.3-back.zip" file doesn't actually contain these expected files, or that zip is corrupt.   I would suggest extracting that file with a zip utility like 7zip, or even Windows unzip tool to see what is actually inside.

How was that zip file created?  Did you follow the steps in Using Jira's XML backup utility in order to create the XML backup within the previous Jira installation?   If not, then you won't be able to restore that zip file as a backup of your data.   By default Jira is automatically creating these xmlbackup zip files in the JIRAHOME/export/ folder.  If you still have access to this path on the old system you might be able to find a xml backup there.

[Suhas P]

Its corrupt xml backup. 

Adding to what Andrew said, while taking xml back up make sure you kick out all logged in users first. You can do this by restarting JIRA. Safer way to take xml backup is to start JIRA on different port and then take backup so no users will be able to login.