Quote Originally Posted by TinaS View Post
When you are ready to go live, Back Up your existing database using the PHPMyAdmin Export Tool, then import it to your new database and run the zen installer to upgrade the database. This will however change your mods and such that save data to the database.
That's the best approach. And then re-do any SQL changes you made for addons etc and any admin switch changes etc. So ... take notes about what you'll need to do to the live site once you re-do your database load.

Quote Originally Posted by TinaS View Post
The other option is to export both Databases and use winmerge or beyond compare to compare them to each other and then copy the customers / orders / products into your new DB and import it again. Then run the upgrade db out of the zen installer.
This approach is STRONGLY NOT RECOMMENDED unless you have expert intimate knowledge of ALL database tables and their interactions. It's ALWAYS DANGEROUS TO SELECTIVELY EXTRACT INDIVIDUAL TABLES unless you know exactly what you're doing and why, and in what order.