Library Lost After Sync Issue

ivatokovic

Dear Zotero Support,

I am experiencing a serious issue with my Zotero library. Recently, I tried to connect my Zotero account on another laptop, but the sync did not work correctly. After that attempt, my entire library disappeared both from my original laptop and from my online Zotero account.

On my original laptop, I checked the data directory. The file zotero.sqlite and the backup file zotero.sqlite.bak are very small (around 19 KB), which makes me believe they have already been overwritten with an empty database. Unfortunately, I cannot find any larger backup files. The storage folder with my PDFs is still there, but all references and collections are gone.

It seems that an empty sync may have overwritten my data both locally and on the server. Is it possible for you to restore my Zotero library from an earlier snapshot on the server? This would be extremely helpful, as the library contained all of my research materials.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Best regards,

adamsmith

Generally Zotero can't restore individual libraries on the server-- this all sounds very odd, though and couldn't have happened exactly as described.

Do you remember doing anything unusual setting up sync? Did you use any of the options in the "Reset" tab in the Zotero preferences? "Log out" of your local account?

Finally, you don't happen to have any proper backups of your harddisk that'd contain old Zotero folders?

dstillman

A sync from a new, empty library would never delete existing data. Most likely you ran Replace Online Library from the Sync settings, which people sometimes do by mistake. Setting up a new computer simply involves entering your sync credentials and clicking the Sync button.

On my original laptop, I checked the data directory. The file zotero.sqlite and the backup file zotero.sqlite.bak are very small (around 19 KB), which makes me believe they have already been overwritten with an empty database.

Can you provide a screenshot of what you're seeing? Even an empty database should never be 19 KB. And if you were using that computer, there should be at least a zotero.sqlite.1.bak file as well. You may have separately deleted your Zotero database there (e.g., while trying to clear disk space).