[ASK] Moving MYSQL data file (IBDATA1)

[michaelslamet]

Hi,

I know it's kinda OOT, but this is the only forum I'm watching that I think can help.

I develop a small application to help me searching data more easily, but I'm not ready to try the application directly at the office. I afraid I'm going to mess up the data. So I bring back home the data file (IBDATA1). I've a mysql server for windows installed on my pc running WinXP, same like office. I try to copy the IBDATA1 file to mysql data folder (c:\program files\mysql\mysql server 5.5\data) and try to access it through Navicat, but it seems like the IBDATA1 file is not connected with mysql.

How is the right way to copy this file? to what folder? What application or command should I use to connect this data to the mysql system?

Again, I know it's OOT but I really hope I can get help here since I know many of you are expert

Thanks a lot

[jchd]

You should probably use the backup feature of MySQL to obtain a usable backup which you could then [re]load into your test database at home.

I don't have enough MySQL-fu myself to guide you doing so, but googling "mysql backup" should help you get on track.