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This page applies to Lineage Manager™ for Dogs v1.33.

This information applies to v1.33 and older only.

Version 2 Users: If you are wanting to import your v1.x database files to a computer running new version 2.x, please review this page.

About the LMD v1.33 User Database Files

LMD version 1.33 keeps dog information data in three (3) database files, 'labs' is our example database name, your database will have a different name:
  • labs.dta
  • labs.dtv
  • labs.dtm
There is also a database for colors and a database for titles:
  • colors.dtc
  • titles.dtt
There is a file which keeps the default data entry information:
  • labs.dft
All six of these files must be saved (backed up).

There are three (3) methods of moving the files shown below.

We recommend the first method. We even have a video demonstrating how to do it.

Computer Expert Method of moving the files -- watch the video!

Exit LMD on both computers before starting this procedure. This procedure is based on Windows XP. We assume that you already have installed LMD on the second computer.

To make a Backup:

  1. Using Start/All Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer, locate all six of those files on the first computer. The default installation location is c:\program files\nwps\lmd16\program - the files will most likely be in there if you are using Windows XP or earlier. If you are using Windows Vista 32 or Windows 7 32 bit, you will find the files in a very strange place: c:\users\YourLoginName\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program files\nwps\lmd16\program -- See this page for more details about that strange place.
  2. Select all six files (or four if you choose not to transfer the colors and titles database files) and right click and select 'Copy'.
  3. Now 'Paste' them to a USB Flash Drive or a CDR/CDRW.
  4. Move the storage media (USB Flash Drive or CDR) to the second computer and Copy the six (or four) files into the  'MyDocuments' - this is preferred for Windows XP, Vista, or 7.
  5. If you use a CDR to transfer the six files, you will most likely have to change the file attributes of each from 'read-only' back to normal read-write. This is done by selecting each one of the files on the second computer using Windows Explorer, then right clicking and selecting Properties. One the 'General' tab of Properties, locate the 'Read-Only' checkbox and make sure it is NOT checked. Then press Apply if necessary, then press OK to close the Properties window. This step does not apply if you use a USB Flash Drive.
  6. Start LMD on the second computer, then click on select a different database from a previous session. Locate and open the labs.dta file to start using the database.

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Please view this Video demonstrating how to transfer LMD database files between two Windows XP computers. Before you do so, please review the steps above.

Optional Networked Computer Expert Method

If both computers are networked, simply copy the files from one computer to the other through shared directories using Windows Explorer. Use the same procedure as above except you use the network shared directories instead of a USB Flash Drive or a CDR.

LMD Backup & Restore Utility Method of backing up the files. This is not really the best method, we recommend using the one above.

Exit LMD on your computer before starting this procedure. This procedure is based on Windows XP.

To make a Backup:

  1. Start LMD on the first computer and press Do Not Open a Database at This Time.
  2. Click on the word File in the top menu bar and select Start Backup/Restore Utility. A message will come up stating that LMD will exit if the utility is successfully started, click OK.
  3. Click on Backup User Database Files, then click on Continue>>. The program will search your hard drive(s) for LMD database files. You can press the Stop Searching button anytime if you see that it has located your database that you are interested in.
  4. Locate your database in the list. You should only have one or two things showing there, verify the file date and file size in the right hand side. Select your database and press Process Selection. An informational message will come up informing you that you must select a location for the zip file to be saved to, press OK.
  5. If you see a message that says 'Please insert a disk into drive A:', put in a floppy disk into that drive if you intend to use a floppy disk for transfer. But since most computers no longer have a floppy drive, please use a USB Flash Drive or CDR(W), by pressing Cancel. A standard 'Save As' window appears. Navigate to the place where you are saving the zip file, check the name and press Save. When it is done saving you will be returned to the main window.
  6. Moved your storage media to the second computer, start LMD, then start the Backup and Restore Utility as you did in steps 1 and 2 above.
  7. Press Restore User Database Files, follow the on screen instructions by pressing OK, then Cancel if you are not using a floppy, then view the Open dialog and locate the zip file to transfer. Then press Open to unzip. When the main window reappears, exit the utility.
  8. Start LMD on the second computer, then click on select a different database from a previous session. Locate and open the labs.dta file to start using the database.

You can optionally repeat the above steps for backing up the Custom Colors and Titles databases. Press the Backup Custom Colors and Titles Databases button to zip up those files and the Restore Custom Colors and Titles Databases button to unzip them.