How to send your Goldmine database
for conversion to another format

There are 3 basic steps - after computing the price

1. COMPRESSING YOUR DATABASE FILES
   Compress the files for faster upload, using WinZip.

2. SEND THE FILE via a secure web browser service

Go to https://WeTransfer.com
Select the file such as "MyDatabase.zip"
Send to Convert@CICorp.com
Enter your email address at your company
Message is optional, such as a password if necessary
click Transfer

    Or you can mail us a CD.

    Remember to let us know the password if necessary to open the files.
    We will then perform the conversion.

3. DOWNLOAD the FINISHED DATABASE FILE
    When done, you can download the converted  file in the format of your choice.

More Details

Special instructions for converting from ACT!

How to determine the number of records

In Goldmine, select the Status Tab In the lower right corner look for Record  "of"

1. COMPRESSING THE GOLDMINE FILES

If you need WinZip, download the free Evaluation copy from http://WinZip.com

Find the Goldmine folder (either 4.0, 5.0, or FrontOffice). It may be under C:\Program Files
You can tell if this is the right folder if it contains such files as:
Goldmine .EXE, .DLL, and .INI files.
Below this folder you will see the GMBASE, Demo, Common, Mailbox, Reports, and your data folders.

To make sure you have the right database, go in and make a simple change, such as changing "St." to "Street" in an address.  Then exit the software and check the date and time stamp.  If it is within the last minute you have the right data file.   More Tips

Once WinZip is installed on your computer, you can
1. Make sure everyone is out of Goldmine
2. Select the Goldmine folder with a single left click
3. Right click, then select Add to Zip
4. For the file name, enter GOLDMINE.ZIP

We have also prepared a special batch file program to make it easier for you.  Otherwise you can use WinZip

Everyone should be out of GoldMine for this to work because if a file is open by someone on your network, it will not compress some files, and I will not have all the data to convert.

We can take care of the data files. If you need assistance on the other files, such as word processing templates, which may have to be converted separately by your staff, please feel free to call.

Which files do you need to convert?

Where is your database?

In Goldmine, you can select File, Open to see which folder it is looking in.

Which database format do you use, SQL, FDB, or DBF ?

There are 3 different formats for storing a Goldmine database, SQL (Structured Query Language)  format, FDB (FireBird) or the more common DBF (Data Base File)  format.  Your database administrator should know.  Or you can check under File, Preferences, Login.  See if it mentions SQL.

1. The SQL format is designed for very large databases, on a server, with many users. 

2. The FDB format is a new format, which is public domain, and can accommodate very large databases.

3. The DBF format is designed for small to medium sized databases, on desktops or laptops, with a small group of users. 

Which files should you send? 

1. SQL Format:  If you use Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle to store your Goldmine database, you only need to send 2 large files.  These would be found on your server.    Please do not send a GMB or other unnecessary files.

In order to zip the file, you must take the database offline.
Please see the page on how to take it offline so it can be zipped or compressed at
How to Send your Microsoft SQL Server Database for Conversion to Another Format

The MDF and MLF files are required, which can be included in the Goldmine Backup.
One way is to start the SQL Server Management Studio

2. FDB Format: This is a public domain format, that is catching on. You will find the GOLDMINE.FDB file in the Goldmine/Data folder.  This is all you need to send.  For more information about this data format, see www.IBPhoenix.com and www.FireBirdSQL.org

3. DBF Format: This is the default or "regular" format.  There will be many, yet smaller, files needed from 3 main folders, usually found under the Goldmine folder (which usually is C:\Program Files\Goldmine or C:\My Documents\Goldmine)

We don't NOT need the Goldmine software files, such as GMW5.EXE, or any DLLs.

The files should have a recent date, indicating they contain your up to date data.

The GoldZip.Bat file, placed in the Goldmine EXE folder, will get the proper files automatically. 

Or, you can create a compressed "Zip" file on your own.  Please do not send the \GOLDMINE\MAILBOX\ATTACH folder, as this may have hundreds of Word processing, Excel spreadsheet, and PowerPoint files.   These do not need to be converted. 

The attachments can make the Zip file quite large, such as 200MB, when the necessary data would fit in 2 MB.  This makes it take longer to send your files to us.

2. UPLOAD IT TO OUR SECURE SERVER

First we can simply try email to: Convert@Cicorp.com
Just send the Zip file as an attachment using your email program.

Large files (10 MB+) often do not transmit properly, if at all, through email.    
Some organizations have a limit on the size of attachments you can email.
We suggest using our web based drive, which offers you up to 100 Megabytes of online storage space.

If your file is larger than that, give us a call at 800-319-3190, so we can send you the FTP settings to upload it directly using an FTP program such as CuteFTP.  You can send it to our Anonymous FTP site.

Enter your name, company, phone, and email, so we can contact you if there are  any questions during the conversion.  This will be the phone and email we will use to tell you when your data is ready. 

Remember to let us know the password if necessary to open the files.

Please call us at 800-319-3190 or 202-829-4444 to let us know you just uploaded the file.

Converting from Goldmine DBF to SQL .

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