Restoring Zotero library from backup

KennethMickIII
Hello
I just got my hard drive replace and have been restoring files to my computer from an external hard drive. For Zotero, I encountered a problem where my library was not transferring over in full. So, I completely uninstalled the program and removed all files from my PC. I then followed the instructions on located here https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data

I did exactly as described, but my library is now blank with the Quick Start message. What should I do?
  • dstillman
    That means you either copied the files from/to the wrong place or you didn't have a proper backup.

    In your backup, what's the size of the zotero.sqlite file, and do you have folders in 'storage' with dates corresponding to your usage of Zotero?
  • KennethMickIII
    Hmmm. For some reason there is no .sqlite file in the backup folder. The folders match up properly - I can even see the library files that I want.
  • dstillman
    Did you move the file from the backup already or copy it? zotero.sqlite is the database, so you need that to restore your data.
  • KennethMickIII
    I don't remember. The date for the .sqlite file is from today. But it is bringing up files from over a year ago.
  • dstillman
    What do you mean by "bringing up files from over a year ago"?

    What's the file size of the .sqlite file, and any other .sqlite.* files you see in either your current or backup directories? Files that are 1 MB or 5 MB are empty.
  • KennethMickIII
    The missing library files are my most recent projects from the past 3 to 4 months. Projects from before then are showing up fine.

    The .sqlite files are 904 KB and 860 KB
  • dstillman
    I'm still not sure what you mean by "library files". You said your library was empty. So where are you seeing these "files"?
    The .sqlite files are 904 KB and 860 KB
    Those are both empty databases.
  • KennethMickIII
    I'm seeing the files in Zotero when I bring over the storage files from my backup
  • KennethMickIII
    Ah. I managed to restore an older version of the .sqlite file that is 11,108 KB. A backup verson (.bak) exists with 10,416 KB
  • KennethMickIII
    What is weird is that I can see my library as it was from around 5 months ago. It's everything since than that is not there.
  • dstillman
    You said in your first message that you were seeing an empty library with the Quick Start message. I don’t know how to square that with what you’re saying now.

    The 'storage' files have no effect on what you see in Zotero. Those are just attached files that determine whether you can open PDFs and snapshots attached to your items.

    In any case, to restore your previous data you’ll need a backup of the zotero.sqlite file that you were using.

    https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#where_did_my_items_go
  • KennethMickIII
    edited March 27, 2019
    The files showed up when I transferred the folder from the backup version just now. At some point a new .sqlite file generated with those files.
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