Clearing database tables for reinstall

Hello, Jameson.

The quickest way to get you up and running would be to modify your wp-config.php file. This will be a simple change of a text file rather than executing SQL in MySQL. The following steps will leave your old tables in place but add new ones for your new WordPress installation. Later, once you're all set up, it will be easier to go in and delete the unused tables.

1. Open wp-config.php (which is in your new WordPress installation's main directory) in a text editor.
2. Locate the line that reads $table_prefix = 'wp_';
3. Modify the value of $table_prefix so that it reads something different like: $table_prefix = 'wp2_';
4. Save.
5. Refresh the setup page of your WordPress installation.

Now, I have multiple domains and multiple databases (and I don't know if some of my other domains have data stored on the same database as the one I need to "clear"), but I need to be 100% certain that this answer does not put any of my other domains' data on the database (or other databases) at risk.

Yes, this method will ensure that any previous data currently in your MySQL database does not get cleared or overwritten with the new WordPress installation. The most important thing will be to use a table prefix that is not currently being used. If you have a way to view the table names (e.g. phpMyAdmin) then that will be the definitive way to ensure you are selecting a unique table prefix. Otherwise, if you can't verify what other prefixes are being used, you can use a prefix that is extremely unlikely to have been used previously. Something that incorporates the current date perhaps: $table_prefix = 'wp20130716_';

I made the changes you suggested to my wp-config file, and sent the revised file through my FTP software, but when I refresh my webpage, I'm receiving an Internal Server Error.

Make sure that your modifications are made inside the single quotes on that line and that the line ends with a semicolon.

$table_prefix = 'wp20130716_';

That is all correct. Still receiving an error. I reviewed the wp-config.php file from my download folder, from the Remote Site list in Filezilla, and from the File Manager in cPanel, and they all look identical and correct.

When you navigate to <yourdomain.com>/wp-admin/install.php what do you see?