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--- zotero_data [2019/03/05 00:21] – [Library Contents] dstillman
+++ zotero_data [2019/08/19 17:18] – [Backing Up Your Zotero Database] dstillman
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 ===== Backing Up Your Zotero Library =====
-We strongly recommend that you regularly back up your Zotero library. Syncing is not a good substitute for backing up: the Zotero servers only store the most recent version of your library, and it takes just a single (possibly automatic) sync to change the server copy.
+We strongly recommend that you regularly back up your Zotero database. Syncing is not a good substitute for backing up: the Zotero servers only store the most recent version of your libraries, and it takes just a single (possibly automatic) sync to change the server copy.
-Rather than backing up just your Zotero library, we recommend using a backup utility that automatically backs up your entire hard drive to an external device on a regular basis. Most modern operating systems offer such functionality (e.g., Time Machine on Macs).
+Rather than backing up just your Zotero database, we recommend using a backup utility that automatically backs up your entire hard drive to an external device on a regular basis. Most modern operating systems offer such functionality (e.g., Time Machine on Macs).
 If you want to back up your Zotero data specifically, [[zotero_data#locating_your_zotero_data|locate your Zotero data]], close Zotero, and copy your data directory (the //entire directory//, including ''storage'' and the other subdirectories) to a backup location, preferably on another storage device. As with all important data, it is a good idea to back up your Zotero data frequently.
-**Warning**: Zotero lets you export your Zotero library as a Zotero RDF file. However, exporting and importing your library via RDF won't result in an exact copy of your library, and it isn't recommended as a backup strategy.
+**Warning**: Zotero lets you export a Zotero library as a Zotero RDF file. However, exporting and importing your library via RDF won't result in an exact copy of your library, and it isn't recommended as a backup strategy.
 For step-by-step, illustrated backup instructions, see [[http://libguides.northwestern.edu/content.php?pid=68444&sid=676064|this guide provided by the Northwestern University library]].
@@ Line 120: / Line 120: @@
 Bear in mind that word processor documents used with later Zotero versions may not be usable with earlier versions, and Zotero developers and community members will provide only limited support for earlier versions (mostly to recommend upgrading to the current version).
-===== Troubleshooting Zotero Data issues =====
-==== Where did my items go? ====
+===== Locating Missing Zotero Data =====
-If you open Zotero to find your library blank or missing lots of data, don't panic. Zotero is mostly likely simply looking in the wrong location for the data. You need to make sure that Zotero is looking in the right location for your Zotero files and that the right files are in that spot.
+If you open Zotero to find your library blank or missing lots of data, don't panic. Data is never removed unless you delete it, so Zotero is most likely looking at a different database from the one you were using previously. You need to make sure that Zotero is looking in the right location for your Zotero files and that the right files are in that spot.
-Use the "Show Data Directory" button in the [[preferences/advanced|Advanced]] pane of the Zotero preferences to reveal the current data directory. If this isn't the directory you were expecting, you can either specify a different data directory from the preferences or, with Zotero closed, rename that directory (e.g., to "Zotero-Old") and move your desired Zotero directory to the specified location. If you're not sure where your most recent Zotero data is located, it's a good idea to look for larger versions of zotero.sqlite or zotero.sqlite.bak stored elsewhere on your hard drive and to look at the dates of folders within the 'storage' directory. An empty Zotero database will be either approximately 1 MB (~1,000 KB) or 5 MB.
+If you have recently updated to Zotero 5 and are missing data, see [[kb/data_missing_after_zotero_5_upgrade|Missing Data After Zotero 5 Upgrade]]. Zotero 5 was released in 2017, so this no longer applies to most people.
-If you have recently updated to Zotero 5 and are missing data, see [[kb/data_missing_after_zotero_5_upgrade|Missing Data After Zotero 5 Upgrade]].
+If you're using a different computer from the one where you created the missing data, and your data is also missing in your online library, your data simply hasn't synced from the computer where you created it. See [[kb:Changes Not Syncing]].
+If you're using the same computer where you originally created the missing data, you'll need to locate your Zotero data on this computer. Use the "Show Data Directory" button in the [[preferences/advanced|Advanced]] pane of the Zotero preferences to reveal the current data directory. Take note of the names, sizes, and dates of the zotero.sqlite* files in this folder. An empty Zotero database will be either approximately 1 MB (~1,000 KB) or 5 MB.
+If you see only 1 MB or 5 MB zotero.sqlite files, look in the 'storage' folder (if one exists) for folders with timestamps corresponding with your previous usage of Zotero. If you see them, this is likely the Zotero data directory you were using previously, but something happened to the Zotero database, so you may need to [[#restoring_your_zotero_library_from_a_backup1|restore a zotero.sqlite file from a backup]].
+If this isn't the directory you were expecting, or if you don't see a 'storage' directory, you'll need to locate your previous data directory and either specify a different data directory from the preferences or, with Zotero closed, rename the current directory (e.g., to "Zotero-Old") and move your desired Zotero directory to the specified location. If you're not sure where your most recent Zotero data is located, look for larger versions of zotero.sqlite or zotero.sqlite.bak stored elsewhere on your hard drive and look at the dates of the folders within the 'storage' folder.
 Unless you have a good reason to use a custom data directory location, we recommend using the [[#default_locations|default location]] in your home directory.