To save all the data in the database in a text file which can be used to recreate the database, follow these directions. Open a dos command window (start -> all programs -> accessories -> command prompt) navigate to the mysql\bin directory by typing: cd C:\mysql\bin to save the data from the database DATABASENAME in a text file entitled TODAYSDATE.sql type: mysqldump -u root DATABASENAME > TODAYSDATE.sql the above command will create TODAYSDATE.sql in the \mysql\bin. If the database requires a login name other than root enter it after the -u switch instead of root. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To recreate a database from the saved text file, follow these directions. Open a dos command window (start -> all programs -> accessories -> command prompt) navigate to the mysql\bin directory by typing: cd C:\mysql\bin start mysql by typing: mysql -u root Use a different login name after -u if required. to create a new blank database type: create database NEWDATABASENAME; then: use NEWDATABASENAME; then: source C:/PATH/TODAYSDATE.sql; where PATH is the path to the TODAYSDATE.sql file made previously.