References and folder not showing up in "My Library"

ckwleung
Hi there,

Today I installed Zotero for Firefox for my work computer (Windows XP) and I created a folder in my library, in which I added about 8 references. I need to work at home as well so I also installed a Zotero for Firefox for my personal laptop (MAC). I attempted to sync my files between the computers.

However, the references and the folder that I initially added at work isn't showing up on my laptop - it's not even showing up on my account at zotoro.org. But interestingly enough, when I use the Zotero Word plug in, I am able to see all of the references (the ones I added on my work computer) when I click to insert a citation. It seems that the files have synced, but for some reason, I just can't see the files nor the folder under "My Library".

I would appreciate if anyone can help! Thanks!
  • ckwleung
    My Report ID is 1147534863
  • dstillman
    If it's not showing up on zotero.org, there's no way it's showing up on another computer, at least if you're syncing the same account.

    Start here: https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/changes_not_syncing

    And let us know if you're still having trouble after that.
  • ckwleung
    Thanks for your speedy reply.

    I've already went through the link you've provided.

    I'm sure I'm looking in the right place, but have no idea why the references are not synced to my online library on zotero.org. Unfortunately, I won't be able to access my work computer until Friday to check if the problem originates from there.

    When I pressed sync, no red error icon ever popped up.

    And lastly, I'm positive I'm using the same account for both computers.


    Would appreciate any further advice.
  • dstillman
    edited July 23, 2015
    Can you provide an example of an item that shows up in the Word plugin but that you can't find in Zotero?

    Unless you have a separate Standalone installation open and not sharing the same data directory, any items that show up in the Word plugin are in your library somewhere, and if they were created on another computer they would also appear on zotero.org for the same account.
  • dstillman
    Well, but also, your online library shows 8 items, 5 of them top-level items, all added today. Where exactly are you looking for them and not seeing them on zotero.org?
  • dstillman
    edited July 23, 2015
    There's no collection in your library online, though, and never has been. So it seems the other computer didn't sync since you added the collection there. But if you added the items and synced before creating the collection, then you'd see the same items on zotero.org, in My Library in Zotero on your home computer, and in the Word plugin search on your home computer. Perhaps that's what you mean?
  • ckwleung
    That's odd that you can see my online library showing 8 items. Because right now, I only see four items and these are the ones I literally just added using my personal computer.

    For example in Word, I can insert a citation for "World Health Organization. Mental Health: A Call for Action by World Health Ministers". I added this reference earlier at work today. However, I can't actually see this reference in "My Library".
  • ckwleung
    edited July 23, 2015
    Just saw your last post. Yes, I created the collection on my work computer, which was before I synced the files. Does this mean that the next time I use my work computer, I should press sync again and that I will be able to see the collection on my home computer?
  • dstillman
    Sorry, I meant 4 top-level, not 5. So those are just the items you added on this computer.

    Are you using the same document you were using at work? I suspect so, in which case the references you're seeing are just embedded in the document and that's what you're seeing. You'll need to sync the other computer to get those items on zotero.org and your home computer.
  • ckwleung
    edited July 23, 2015
    I am using the same document I used at work - I saved the file onto a USB. So to clarify, next time I use my work computer, I'll need to sync the files and afterwards, all the references and the folder should be visible on my home laptop? And the new files I've added using my laptop should be visible on my work computer as well?
  • dstillman
    OK, that's the answer then. (We didn't used to have embedded references, so I always forget about that possibility.)

    So, yes, just make sure syncing is set up on your work computer and that you're not getting a sync error there. Zotero auto-syncs by default, so you shouldn't really have to do anything other than set it up. Maybe you didn't set up syncing at all there, or entered the wrong username/password?
  • ckwleung
    edited July 23, 2015
    I did enter my user name and password at work though (the same one I'm using at home). But I'll definitely try again on Friday. Hopefully, everything will work out. Thanks for your help - I'll let you know if I run into issues again.
  • ckwleung
    Dan, you were right. My work computer wasn't set up to sync. I've entered my account info and now everything's working on both computers! Thanks again for your help!
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