How to Back Up Your DMB Software

Why Backing Up Is Essential

Creating reliable backups of your Diamond Mind Baseball software protects your investment and ensures you always have access to your games. Without backups, you may face replacement fees, lose custom leagues and databases, or lose access to your software if your computer fails or is replaced.

What You Need to Back Up

Diamond Mind Baseball has two types of files that require different backup approaches:

1. Installation Files (One-Time Backups)

These are the original files you download when purchasing DMB software. Back these up immediately after downloading:

• Game installation file: dmb12setup.exe (the main program installer)
• Season database files: Files with .alt extension (examples: dps2024_v12.alt, agt1_v11.alt)

2. Active Game Databases (Regular Backups)

These are the databases you create and modify while playing DMB, including custom leagues, rosters, game results, and statistics. Back these up regularly to preserve your work.

Part 1: Backing Up Installation Files

Installation files should be backed up immediately after downloading and stored permanently in multiple secure locations.

Step 1: Locate Your Installation Files

After downloading from the Diamond Mind website, your files are typically located in your computer's Downloads folder. Find and identify:

• The game installer: dmb12setup.exe
• All season database files: *.alt files

Step 2: Choose Your Backup Locations

For maximum protection, store your installation files in at least two of these locations:

Physical Storage Options

• External hard drive: Reliable for large files, good for long-term storage
• USB flash drive: Portable and convenient, ideal for smaller file collections
• Secondary internal drive: If your computer has multiple drives, store backups on a different drive than your operating system

Cloud Storage Options

• Dropbox: Automatic syncing across devices
• Google Drive: Integrated with Google accounts, generous free storage
• Microsoft OneDrive: Integrated with Windows, automatic backup options
• Other services: iCloud, Box, or any reputable cloud storage provider

Step 3: Organize Your Backup Files

Create a clear folder structure to keep your Diamond Mind files organized:

1. Create a main folder named "Diamond Mind Baseball Backups" or similar
2. Inside, create subfolders:
   • Game Software (for dmb12setup.exe)
   • Season Databases (for all .alt files)
   • Custom Databases (for your league backups, if applicable)
3. Label files clearly with purchase dates or season years if helpful

Step 4: Copy Files to Backup Locations

1. For physical storage: Connect your external drive or USB stick, then copy your organized folder structure to the drive
2. For cloud storage: Upload your organized folder structure to your chosen cloud service, or move the folder into your cloud-synced directory
3. Verify the backup: After copying, open the backup location and confirm all files are present and the correct size

Part 2: Backing Up Active Game Databases

Diamond Mind Baseball includes a built-in backup feature that compresses your active database into a single file for easy storage and restoration.

When to Back Up Game Databases

Create backups of your game databases in these situations:

• Before starting a new season or major league changes
• After completing important games or series
• Before making roster changes or trades
• At regular intervals during active league play (weekly or monthly)
• Before updating or reinstalling the game software
• Any time you've invested significant time creating or modifying content

Using DMB's Built-In Backup Feature

To Back Up a Database:

1. Open Diamond Mind Baseball
2. Make sure the database you want to back up is your active database. If necessary, use File > Change active database to select it
3. Click File on the DMB menu bar
4. Select Backup
5. In the window that appears, choose where to save your backup file:
   • By default, DMB saves to its backup folder
   • You can navigate to any location (external drive, cloud folder, etc.)
6. Type a descriptive name for your backup in the File name field. Include the date and database name for easy identification (example: 2024League_Backup_Nov04)
7. Click Save
8. DMB will compress all database files into a single .zip file and show progress as it works
9. A message appears when the backup is complete

To Restore a Backup:

1. Open Diamond Mind Baseball
2. Make sure the correct database is active (the database you want to restore into). Use File > Change active database if needed
3. Important: Restoring a backup will replace all data in the active database. This action cannot be reversed. Make sure you've selected the correct database before proceeding
4. Click File on the DMB menu bar
5. Select Restore
6. Navigate to the location where you saved your backup file
7. Select the .zip backup file you want to restore
8. Click Open
9. DMB will extract and decompress the files, showing progress as it works
10. A message appears when restoration is complete

Best Practices for Backup Management

Follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule

For critical data, follow this industry-standard approach:

• 3 copies: Your working files plus two backups
• 2 different media types: For example, one on external hard drive, one in cloud storage
• 1 offsite copy: Cloud storage or external drive stored in a different location

Establish a Backup Schedule

• Installation files: Back up once immediately after downloading, then verify annually
• Active databases: Back up based on your activity level (daily, weekly, or monthly)
• Before major events: Always back up before league drafts, playoffs, or significant roster changes

Test Your Backups Periodically

• Once every few months, verify that you can access your backup files
• For installation files, confirm they open and aren't corrupted
• For database backups, test the restore process on a copy to ensure it works

Keep Multiple Database Backup Versions

• Don't overwrite your previous backup immediately
• Keep at least 2-3 recent backup versions
• This protects against corrupted data being backed up over good data

Label Backups Clearly

• Include dates in file names: MyLeague_2024-11-04.zip
• Note significant milestones: 2024Season_AfterDraft.zip
• Use consistent naming conventions for easy identification

Understanding Download Link Limitations

Download links provided with Diamond Mind purchases are not permanent or unlimited. Each link is unique to a specific order and permits a one-time download with limited error tolerance. This is why creating backups immediately after downloading is critical.

If you need replacement files because you don't have backups, replacement files are available upon request for a standard fee of $3 per file. Contact support at dmb_support@imaginesports.com.

Additional Resources

Support Knowledge Base:
https://diamond-mind.com/pages/library

Installation Guides:
Game Software Installation
Season Database Installation

Need Help?
Email: dmb_support@imaginesports.com

Remember: A few minutes spent creating backups today can save hours of work and prevent costly replacement fees tomorrow. Make backing up your Diamond Mind Baseball software a regular habit to protect your investment and preserve your gaming experience.