How to export a large (3GB) MySQL Database?

Please help - the phpMyAdmin Export keeps stoping at 250mb :(

[TravelSite]

Hi,

I'm having to re-install Windows Vista from scratch on a PC - and need to export a fairly large 3GB MySQL database (then later import it again). The database is on my local machine.

I'm using the phpMyAdmin (version "3.2.0.1") and using its export facility.

It begins downloading (tried both firefix and ie) but when the sql export finishes the file always comes in at around 250mb - far below the actual size of the database.

I've tried to ajust settings in a file called "php.ini" (increasing the values for anything I can find!) - but it doesn't seem to be making a difference.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

[TravelSite]

In case it helps any, I just realised that its not stopping when it gets to 250mb - but rather after the export has been running for 5 minutes.

Is there a way to increase the time allowed for it to complete?

[Frank_Rizzo]

It is much easier to

stop the mysql server
locate database directory
zip up all the files
copy to the new machine
unzip
start the mysql server on the new machine

Of course that will overwrite existing databases on the new box but it is a quick way when transfering from an old box to a new one.