Backing Up, Import / Export

    

Beginning with version 2.9, the Database Import and Export functions backup and restore Gravity and all settings (or single servers) from within the application. This replaces the separate Gravitybackup.exe utility. (For versions 2.8 and earlier, see ).

·       When you use Import/Export, it may appear that Gravity has stopped working. You should always wait for Gravity to finish!

·      Also note: the old backup utility GravityBackup.exe does NOT work in version 2.9 and higher.

Export  (Backup)
Tools - Database - Export Database and Settings
This command backs up all servers and settings to a *.gdx file.
Tools - Database - Export News Server
This command backs up the selected news server to a *.gsx file.
The *.gdx and *.gsx files are compressed in Windows cabinet format. You can view the contents with Winzip or another program that opens or views cabinet files.

Import  (Restore)
Tools - Database - Database or News Server
You can restore settings from a saved *.gdx file (all settings and databases) or *.gsx (server) file.
·      If an import fails (rare), to manually restore.

Other Technical Notes
As an additional precaution against data loss - when Gravity Imports a *.gdx file, it saves one backup of the database(s) and some other files to a directory. Actually, the files are not saved, Gravity renames the directory and writes a new imported one, so the old one is not touched. In Windows XP, the backup directory is written to:
C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\Gravity\
.. with a directory name similar to this:
newsdb2.9-20_08_05_07_08_09-backup
One backup directory is saved. You should not have to use these files for backups - save *.gdx files instead.
In the rare event that import can not restore, to try a manual repair.

Backup Rules
Tools - Rules - Export/Import Rules
Rules are saved when you export database and settings to a *.gdx file. But you can also export/import your rules to/from a small plain text file. If you put a lot of work into creating rules you can save them as a precaution, or you can import them after a clean install. You can also copy a rule from the text file for posting if you want help with a rule.