Move D3/NT accounts from an old D3DataBase to a new one

This text includes instructions for copying the current D3DataBase to a new location, delete the ‘old’ D3NT, install the ‘new’ D3NT, and finally move the accounts from the backed up D3DataBase to the ‘new’ D3DataBase.

The idea here is to move (restore) accounts from an old (backed up) D3database to a new (current) D3database using Windows Explorer.  This procedure assumes that D3 is running and is not damaged.  In some cases, when the D3database is damaged, this may work.  The success factor drops, however.

This procedure could be used in conjunction with the “4-step delete” of D3/NT.  This is normally done when you want to delete and re-install D3/NT.  After the re-install, you can restore the accounts or use this method.

First and foremost, anytime you want to move, delete, copy, or change the D3database ALWAYS make sure you have a current and verified file-save.  You can save to tape or pseudo, but make sure you have it.

Copy the existing D3DataBase to another location and rename it.

1. Open a Windows Explorer window and locate the D3database.  The default location is C:\Program Files\D3\D3Database.  During the D3/NT installation, it may have been placed somewhere else.  Right click on the D3database folder.  Left click on Copy.  Move the mouse pointer to the location you want to copy (back it up) to.  Right click on the folder and left click on Paste.  Verify that a copy of the D3database folder is now located in the folder you thought you copied it to.  You may also want to rename it, “oldD3database”, “backupD3database”.  One of the steps in the “4-step delete” procedure is to delete D3* files.
2. Open the newly created backup D3database in Windows Explorer.  Make a note of all the accounts you want restore.

Delete and re-install D3.

3. At this point, you are ready to delete D3/NT from the machine and re-install.  Use the “4-step delete” method.
4. Install D3/NT and perform any upgrades necessary.  Leave D3 running.

Add the accounts to be restored in the D3 File Manager.

5. Bring up the D3 File Manager, START/Programs/D3/File Manager.  D3 must be running in order to access accounts through File Manager.
6. In the File Manager, you will now add account names that you want to “restore” from the old D3database.  Left click on the open folder in File Manager.  You will see the current D3database and account “barrels”.  Right click Databases.  Left click on Create Database.  Type the name of the account you want to restore in the Database Name field and click Create.  Repeat this procedure for each account.

Copy/Paste account from the ‘old’ D3DataBase to the ‘new’ D3DataBase.

7. You are now ready to Copy/Paste the accounts you want to restore.  From the Explorer window, open the old D3database folder so you can see the accounts.  On the left side of the Explorer window, open the new D3database folder.
8. On the right side of the Explorer window, left click on one of the accounts you want to restore.  This will highlight it.  Hold down the ctrl-key (control) and left click on each of the remaining accounts you want to restore.  This will highlight each of the accounts.
9. Once all the accounts are highlighted, right click on one of them and left click on Copy.  Move your mouse pointer to the new D3database folder on the right side of the Explorer window and right click.  Left click on Paste.  You are now copying the accounts from the old D3database folder to the new D3database folder.
10. If this process works correctly, you should see a message that each account already exists.  Click Yes to overwrite each one.  DO NOT click on ‘Yes to All’.  This is your last chance to cancel the copy if a mistake was made.

All accounts copied successfully, run qs_upd from D3.

11. After all the accounts have copied over, log into D3.  From the DM account, type in the command ‘qs.upd’ and press enter.

Restore the ‘users’ file

12. The last thing to do is to restore the ‘users’ file from the old D3database.  Open the DM account in the old D3database folder.  Locate the ‘users’ item.  Right click on it and click copy.  Locate the DM account in the new D3database folder.  Right click on it and click Paste.  This will copy ‘users’ from the old D3database to the new D3database.