Encoding type when restoring db

[choochoo]

In my db it says the encoding is ASCII, but the default setting when restoring a db through pgadmin is UTF8. Do I need to chage this to ASCII before starting the restore?

[Patvs]

Which SQL version was the backup made in?
ASCII backup in SQL 8.3?

You can't restore that to a SQL 8.4 database.
You'll also have to install SQL 8.3 (PostgreSQL: The world's most advanced open source database (http://www.postgresql.org)) in order to restore the backup.

Easiest solution (IF you have all the original handhistories) might be to start a new SQL 8.4 (with UTF8 encoding) database.. and just reimport all the handhistories.

[choochoo]

The db was created in 8.2, and I am planning to restore to 8.3 on Win7, would this be okay?

[Patvs]

SQL 8.2 is not compatible with 8.3
8.2.x is only compatible with other 8.2.x versions (where x is any number from 1 to the latest version .17)

So again... either install 8.2 in order to RESTORE the backup.
Or install the latest version 8.4.4 and reimport all the original handhistories.